The Summer Library Program at the Troy Public Library in June and July attracted a record number of participants, ages four-18, who read enough books to sink a ship.

Teresa Colvin, children’s and young adult’s librarian, said the large number of kids who participated in the program is indicative of the quality of programs offered to the different age groups.

“Because the Troy Public Library is a fun place to come to enjoy reading activities and to be entertained, the summer program is titled the Summer Library Program rather than the Summer Reading Program,” Colvin said. “Of course, reading is the focus of the summer program as are the programs offered year round. Children are encouraged to read through a variety of activities, and we encourage parents to read to their children almost from the day they are born.”

As an incentive to read, but not the reason to read, the TPL Summer Library Program recognizes the top readers in several age groups at the end of the program.

Dani Daniel was the top reader in the young adult division of the Summer Library Program and was also the overall top reader for the program.

“Dani was the overall top reader going away. Nobody came close to her,” Colvin said. “She is an avid reader, and she reads because she loves to read and to learn.

“We congratulate Dani along with all of our top readers and all of those who participated in the program. They are all winners because they are all readers.”

Top readers, ages four and five are Joe Drinkwater, first place; Eli Southwick, second and Savannah Henderson, third.

Six-year-old top readers are Penelope Earnest, first place and Lydia Brown, second place.

The top seven-year-old readers are Lola Drinkwater, first place and Aadi Patel, second place.

David Everett topped the eight-year-old readers with Breanna Sanders in second place.

In the nine-year-old reading group, Amy Qi Xue was the top reader and Ava Leverett took second place honors.

The top readers in the 10-year-old age group are Kelton Coppage, first place and Mehar Mago, second.

Kaley LeCroy was the top reader in the 11-year-old group. Hunter Coppage took second place.

In the Young Adult reading group, Dani Daniel took first place; Lizzie Oliver was in second place and Maddie Norman, third.

Colvin said the success of the Summer Library Program could be attributed to the variety of programs offered.

“The theme for the little kids was ‘Heroes,’ and every hero has a story,” Colvin said. “We chose to honor our local heroes including our policemen and our firefighters. The kids participated in a Super Hero Academy that was a lot of fun. They learned about magic and enjoyed a visit from the McWane Center in Birmingham.”

More teenagers participated in the Summer Library Program than before, and Colvin said programming was the reason.

“Murder Mystery Night is always a big attraction for the teenagers,” she said. “And, they love magic so Gary Ledbetter was back with a hands-on performance. He taught them a lot of magic tricks they could use to impress their friends.”

The teens participated in games that required skill and a little luck and also transformed themselves into Whovians and trivia masters.

“This summer we offered movies for the kids as something different and everyone really enjoyed them,” Colvin said. “We will soon begin planning for next year’s Summer Library Program and a theme that will be fun, exciting and one that will encourage the kids to make reading a part of their time away from school.”