SAN JOSE, CA - Silicon Valley Reads today announced the selection of two children's books as companions for its 2009 community-wide reading choice, Not a Genuine Black Man by Brian Copeland. It is believed to be the first time that a "community reads" program has offered recommendations of books for early readers, schoolchildren and adults so that families can discuss together the overlapping themes of the books.

For readers in grades K-3, SVR is recommending The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator E.B. Lewis, a picture book about the friendship of two girls of different races who live on opposite sides of a fence. For those in grades 4-8, the selection is The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going, the story of two friends who conquer their fears of being different, one because of race and one for being small and bullied.

"All three of the books for Silicon Valley Reads 2009 focus on what it feels like to be an outsider, to be different," said Dr. Charles Weis, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. "Everyone has had the experience of feeling out of place and unwelcome, for one reason or another. These books spark discussion and dialogue about diversity, empathy, and tolerance."

SVR 2009 will kick off on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with an on-stage interview of author Brian Copeland by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Campbell Heritage Theatre. Other programs at locations throughout Santa Clara County will be offered during January, February and March.

The children's books were selected by the SVR Community Advisory Board, based on suggestions from a group of 20 teachers and school librarians who looked for books that were similar in theme to Copeland's memoir of growing up as one of the first African American families in a community.

SVR is presented annually by Santa Clara County Library, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the San Jose Public Library Foundation with funding from community groups, corporate and individual donors. For more information, visit www.siliconvalleyreads.org.