Thirty-two copies of this year's Mountain View "community read" — "The Mailbox," by local author Audrey Shafer — are now in circulation at the Mountain View Public Library. It is the first children's book to be selected for the program, which will be in full swing throughout the month of November.

Though "The Mailbox" is suited for children as young as fourth grade, said Karin Bricker, supervising librarian, its themes are universal. Librarians are encouraging readers of all levels to check out the book before November, and to participate in the many events they being planned around it.

Shafer's novel tells the story of a boy, Gabe, growing up in the foster care system, who eventually goes to live with his uncle, a Vietnam War vet. When his uncle dies, Gabe begins to communicate with a secret correspondent through notes in his mailbox.

"We always program for the themes as well as having a discussion of the book," Bricker said.

One of the most mature themes of the book, she pointed out, pertains to post traumatic stress disorder. She said adult programming for Mountain View Reads will include a visit by doctors from the Center for Post Traumatic Stress in Menlo Park. Other events in the works are a calligraphy workshop, talks by the author at Books Inc. and local middle schools and intergenerational discussions at the library.

"For a very short book and quite an easy read it is very rich in ideas," Bricker said. She said the book has been checked out over 100 times this summer, and she hopes that by November more than 400 community members will have read the book.

Bricker said Random House donated 150 copies of the book, which will be distributed to students at Graham and Crittenden middle schools. Bricker and Mountain View Whisman School District trustee Ellen Wheeler are encouraging teachers at each school to include "The Mailbox" in their curriculum this fall.

Wheeler added that the district is planning to arrange for Shafer to visit those classes that read the book.

Past Mountain View Reads books have included "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell, "When the Elephants Dance" by Tess Uriza Holthe and "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

For more information on Mountain View Reads Together, visit www.mvreads.org.

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