Rainbow Challenge on at area libraries

The Mississippi County Library System is daring children ages 3-17 to take the Reading Rainbow Challenge to get a librarian to dye her hair rainbow colors.

Mandy Hill, who manages the Leachville Public Library and provides children's programming at the Blytheville Public Library, will put one strip of color in her hair for every 100 books the children across Mississippi County read.

"This is a 60-day challenge that starts Sept. 2 and ends Oct. 31," Hill explained. "It is for every child that wants to read, and the rules are simple."

Books can be checked out from any of the seven libraries in the Mississippi County Library System, which includes Blytheville, Osceola, Keiser, Leachville, Luxora, Manila and Wilson. Next, children should read the book. And the last rule is to check the book back into the library.

"We encourage children to read books in their age range," Hill said. "Our computer system will track the number of books being checked in and out throughout the challenge. With every 100 books that kids read, I will add a strip of color to my hair. Colors include, but are not limited to, pink, green, blue and purple. The goal is, by Oct. 31, my hair will have a complete rainbow of colors."

Children ages 3-7 should read easy fiction books, ages 8-13 junior fiction and 14-17-year-olds should read young adult fiction. All age groups are encouraged to read juvenile non-fiction.