Fun Friday: Accio Books – a cool cause.

Alas, I did not make it to Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven launch party, so I have nothing to report on that account.  I do have something great to share with you, though.  I read about this on Maureen Johnson’s blog, and thought I’d pass it along, just because it’s an awesome cause centered around something I (and everyone in or aspiring to be in the book business would) care a lot about—literacy.

The Harry Potter Alliance is coming to the end of their second annual Accio Books drive—this year books the focus of their drive is the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest regions in the country, where literacy raters are appallingly low.  Johnson (author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Scarlett books, and lots of other stuff) is the Head of Ravenclaw—yes, this drive is done in true Potter style, complete with house competition.  She’s offering cool prizes for Ravenclaw donation points (you can register points for books you’ve donated here and choose which house to be sorted into!) including going so far as to name a character after you in her new paranormal series, if you donate over 1000 books in Ravenclaw’s name.

You can read a lot more about this awesome cause on Johnson’s blog here, or of course on the HPA’s FAQ page, here.  Books don’t have to be sent to the Mississippi Delta (though they’re worth more points if they are!) but can also be donated to local organizations.  The deadline is March 31st, though, so if you want to participate, get to it!