First Book is a national organization that gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. We all know that access to books is essential to reading development, but many children don’t have that access. Recent data shows that, in middle income neighborhoods, there is an average of 13 books per child. However, in low income neighborhoods, there is a shocking average of only one book per 300 children. Founded in 1992 to address this need, First Book provides an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community based mentoring, tutoring and family literacy programs.

To celebrate the occasion of giving away 50 million books, First Book sponsored a project called What Book Got You Hooked? They asked people from across the country to visit their Web site and share the memory of the magic of their first book. When a visitor provided the name of their favorite childhood book, they also could vote for the state to receive 50,000 FREE books. Your Library urged patrons to go online and vote for Mississippi. The voting ended on July 31, but you can go to their Web site to see which state won — and also see a list of the 50 children’s books that received the most votes. While you’re there, you can donate to their worthy cause. www.firstbook.org.

We like the idea so much that we decided to ask a few Natchezians which book got them hooked, and we share their responses with you now.

Jack Kelly, writer and musician: “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri. “I loved everything about it — the characters, the country, their food, livestock, climate, mountains . . . everything was entirely different from anything I’d ever known and yet I could envision it all. I was fascinated by it. It held my interest, which was not easy for a hyperactive, outdoors, vine-swinging, little Natchez girl.”

Ron Miller, president of the Historic Natchez Foundation: “The Golden Book of Bible Stories” by Charles Monroe Sheldon. “I read this book so many times, I had memorized every word. I was fascinated by the stories, and they touched my heart.

Maria Bowser, Chair of the Board of United Way: “Miss Minerva and William Green Hill” by Frances Boyd Calhoun. “The Miss Minerva books about an “old maid” aunt raising her nephew Billy. She had a gentleman friend known as The Major. Since my favorite Aunt Melida was an “old maid” whose gentleman friend was a highway patrolman, I could really relate.”

Linda Ogden, President of the Friends of the Library: “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri. “I was enthralled by the mountains and the scenery. Plus Heidi’s relationship with her grandfather was so much like mine with my grandfather.”

Duncan McFarlane, Secretary Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity: “The Boy Who Batted 1.000” by Bob Allison. “I liked the book because it was about a little boy playing baseball, and I was starting to play little league at about age 9. I think the kid batted 1.000 because he got one hit and walked every other time because he was so small.”

Beverly Aldridge, former librarian: “Jim Davis” by John Masefield. “The central character is a boy of twelve who lives through many exciting adventures and mysterious occurrences. These appealed to me as did the vivid descriptions of the natural world around the southwest coast of England. John Masefield was appointed Poet Laureate of Britain in 1930. No wonder his descriptions were so good.”

Jamal McCullen, Natchez Firefighter: “Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang” by Ian Fleming. “It was the first book of substantial length that I read from beginning to end, and I enjoyed it. I was about 9, and it gave me the confidence to pursue reading even lengthier books.”

Nancy McWilliams, board member of the Friends of the Library: “I got hooked by reading the comics in the newspaper.”

Marianne Sweeney-Raley, reference librarian at Armstrong Library: “Tiki Tiki Tembo” by Arlene Mosel. “This was one of the first books I can recall that the children’s librarian came to read to my first grade class. I enjoyed the book so much that I made my mom take me to the library, so I could get my own library card and check it out.”

Angela Coleman, technical processing assistant at Armstrong Library: “Curious George Goes to the Zoo” by Margaret and H.A. Reys. “This book caught my attention as a young child because, like George, I was curious also. I wanted to find out how things worked, and so on. The man in the yellow hat always had to bail George out of his messes, and I always needed help too. When I had children of my own, I read the Curious George books to them also.”

Chris Shirey, head of circulation at Armstrong Library: “Mistress of Mellyn” by Victoria Holt. “It was the first novel I read, as a pre-teen. I was enraptured, and simply could not put it down. Until today, it is one of my favorite novels. I think that novel is the reason for my love of historical novels I love the big old mysterious mansions.”

Casey Hughes, administrative assistant at Armstrong Library: “Madeline’ by Ludwig Bemelmans. “My first name was Madeleine, although I was never called that, and I thought this book was about me. Like me, Madeline was the smallest in her class. She was not a typical girl in a book. She led an exciting life all over the world and was afraid of nothing. I wanted to be just like her.”

LIBRARY INFORMATION: The Natchez Adams Wilkinson Library Service consists of three branches: Armstrong Library in Natchez (the headquarters of the library system), Van Cleave Library in Centreville and Woodville Public Library in Woodville. The Armstrong Library is located at 220 S. Commerce in Natchez and is open Monday through Thursday from 9-6, Friday from 9-5, and Saturday from 9-1. You can call us at 601.445.8862, e-mail us at armstrong@naw.lib.ms.us or visit us online www.naw.lib.ms.us.