57 kids representing Summer Reading Club members at RI public libraries trotted onto the field Tuesday, August 25, and one lucky girl and her family will fly to Florida thanks to the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank and Pepsi.

[September 10, 2009] August 25th was a beautiful, sunny evening at the Pawtucket Red Sox’s McCoy Stadium, and a fabulous grand finale to the 2009 Summer Reading Program, “Be Creative @ Your Library.” Fifty-seven summer readers, already winners from their local public libraries, stood in line holding colorful signs proclaiming their library name and the summer reading theme in one hand, and their favorite book of the summer in the other hand. The kids and their families were enthusiastic and patient, chatting as they waited expectantly to take their photo with Paws, the PawSox mascot, and then march onto the field for the pre-game ceremony and their chance at the grand prize.

The grand prize winner was 6-year-old Sophia from the East Greenwich Free Library. When PawSox President Mike Tamburro asked her for a comment, she spoke with a confident voice into the microphone, "I'm going to Disney World!" Sophia and her family won air fare vouchers for four people, four nights hotel accommodations, and four five-day passes to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Sophia’s favorite book this summer was I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry. You can check out this surprising, funny book at your local library.

Meanwhile, the Rhode Island children’s librarians, library staff, and volunteers had a wonderful time celebrating the conclusion of summer reading in the barbeque tent with OLIS' new Youth Services Coordinator Cheryl Space and Information Technician Jeremy Cutler. "It is a wonderful experience to see children from around the state being recognized for loving books and reading, to see the summer reading program theme, 'Be Creative @ Your Library,' written in lights across the huge scoreboard, and to hear the announcer talking about libraries on the loudspeaker," said Cheryl of her first Summer Reading Program finale.

Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the 2009 Summer Reading Program: Citizens Bank, the Pawtucket Red Sox, and Pepsi.

Disney trip winner Sophia from the East Greenwich Free Library with her mother and representatives of the PawSox, Citizens Bank and OLIS. Click on the picture to view a larger image.

All-Star Readers represented 57 libraries from across the state:

On right, the Office of Library and Information Services new Youth Services Team, Jeremy Cutler and Cheryl Space with Paws. View more SRP2009 pictures on Flickr.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Rhode Island McDonald's Restaurants, and your local library.