“A Fine Fella” tells how, in his rugged youth, America's most beloved president was molded to guide his country in the dark days of the Civil War. Share his adventures on the frontier, his youth sorrows and the humor that kept his spirit alive during the low points of his life. “A Fine Fella” shows how Mr. Lincoln formed his opinions about such issues as slavery, and how he learned to live with sorrow and defeat.
 
Now, 200 years after his birth, America celebrates and remembers “A Fine Fella.”

“A Fine Fella” is an eight chapter serialized children's story that will appear in the Sequim Gazette between June 23 and August 11.  The Gazette will feature this summer reading program and a prize drawing to encourage children to read, or be read to, over the summer.

“A Fine Fella” is about the young life of Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president.  The story shows how his life experiences as a youth prepared him to become President of the United States.

A new chapter will appear in the Sequim Gazette every week between June 23 and August 11.  A special tab-size book will be in the June 23 edition where children can cut and paste the chapters to save the whole story.  Extra books will be available at Wilder Auto Center - 97 Deer Park Road, Port Angeles, and at the Sequim Gazette office - 147 W. Washington Street, Sequim, while supplies last. 

Each chapter will also print with an entry form for our prize drawing which will be held at 5pm on August 13.  Each child who completes and returns all eight entry forms will receive a goodie bag from the Sequim Gazette! (Entry forms must be originals.  No photo copies will be accepted.)  Drawing prizes include a scholarship to the Sunland Golf Club Junior Golf Camp, tickets for free bowling games at Sequim Olympic Lanes, four drive through passes to the Olympic Game Farm, a book from Pacific Mist Books, a $20 gift certificate from Pacific Rim Hobbies and a gift certificate for classes at Sequim Martial Arts.

The American Literacy Council reports that 'Poor readers are six times more likely to drop out of school than typical readers', according to a study by Stephanie Sergent Daniel.  Literacy skills can decline over a summer if they are not used.  According to the International Reading Association, "The percentage of literacy skills some kids will lose over the summer is shocking.  Children can lose up to 60% of their skills during the two-month vacation.‚" This can cause a child to begin the next grade at a lower literacy level than when they left school in June.

The Sequim Gazette invests time and resources to support literacy skills in our community's youth.  We feature Sequim Middle School student essays each week during the school year under "Chalk Talk‚" and in the annual special secion ‚"What I Love About America‚".  The Sequim Gazette also showcases elementary school essays each year in the special section ‚"Seasons Greetings‚".  Our Newspapers In Education program also delivers free newspapers to teachers and students to be used as a living text book in many different classes and subjects.

We want to thank the businesses sponsoring this serial story that have recognized the importance of literacy and stepped up to the plate to help encourage kids to read.  They are Wilder Auto Center, First Federal Savings & Loan, Citizens for Libraries, Cuddles & Crayons, Olympic Game Farm, Sequim Martial Arts, Sequim Olympic Lanes, Pacific Rim Hobbies, Sunland Golf Course and Pacific Mist Books.

If you have more that one child or grandchild who would like to save the chapters and turn in entry forms, our circulation department can set up delivery of an additional copy of the Sequim Gazette to your home for the 8 week run of this story for only $5.50.  (Entry forms must be originals.  No photo copies will be accepted.)

For more information about the summer serial story or to get an additional copy of the Sequim Gazette delivered, please call Julie-Ann Speelman at (360) 683-3311 or email jspeelman@sequimgazette.com.