Kids Can Read Their Way to Fenway This Summer

Boston youth between the ages of 5 and 17 can earn the chance to win Red Sox tickets this summer by reading.

Beginning June 1, young readers can visit any Boston Public Library location or go online to www.bpl.org/summer to pick up an application for the annual Read Your Way to Fenway summer essay contest, library officials announced this week.

Kids need only read a minimum of three books and write a brief essay about a favorite. Applications and essays are due to any Boston Public Library location by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 22. Winners will watch the Red Sox up close on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug 28, against the Oakland Athletics.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Wally the Green Monster will celebrate the contest at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15 in Dorchester. In addition to meeting the Mayor and Wally, young readers at the June 15 celebration will hear children’s author David A. Kelly read the first chapter of The Fenway Foul-Up, part of his Ball Park Mystery series.

Kelly, who is also the author of Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse, will visit the Charlestown Branch at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19.

To find out more about all the exciting summer programs for young people at the Boston Public Library and to get some ideas for books to enjoy during school vacation, visit www.bpl.org/summer in June. The Boston Public Library’s 2011 summer reading program officially begins on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.