By Dr. Betty Middleton

Rowan Public Library

Do you enjoy reading thrillers or exciting crime novels? Then I recommend the books written by Joel C. Rosenberg. Joel was born in Rochester, N.Y., and was a campaign adviser for Steve Forbes during his presidential campaign.

That was when Joel became interested in politics. As he began writing books, he realized the connection between current political happenings and Biblical prophecy.

His first novel, “The Last Jihad,” was written nine months before the Sept. 11 attacks and begins with a kamikaze attack mission against the president of the United States which leads to war with Saddam Hussein. “The Last Jihad” was on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks.

The summary of his second book, “The Last Days,” begins with the phrase, “Osama bin Laden is dead. Saddam Hussein is buried. Bagdad is in ruins,” and it also made the New York Times bestseller list. His next two novels, “The Ezekiel Option” and “The Copper Scroll” deals with the rise of Russia and the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

In 2006, he wrote his first non-fiction book, “Epicenter,” which deals with the political chaos created by Russia and Tehran. He followed this with another novel, “Dead Head,” which has Russia and Tehran racing to build nuclear arsenals.

His latest novel, “The Third Target,” addressed the dangers of the Islamic State and al Qaeda and its offshoot ISIS, out to conquer the world. In this book they have already attacked two governments, brutally killing anyone who opposes them and now they have theirsights on a third target. But who will it be?

Since beginning his writing career in 2001, Joel has written 10 fiction and five nonfiction books. All of them read like Headline News. If you have not read any of his books, try just one. Any one of them will leave you waiting for the next book to be published.

Summer reading:  Every Hero Has a Story! Reading hours may be tracked June 10 through Aug. 8. Prizes for children who read one, five, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Children who read 20 hours get a special certificate and are entered in the 20-Hour Reader Raffle to be held Aug. 10. Door prizes are raffled at the weekly school-aged programs. To enter, children write and submit a Super Reader Review prior to the start of the program.

Kickoff celebrations, HERO BOOTCAMP, at each location: Thursday, June 11, 3:30-5 p.m. at South Rowan Regional, China Grove; Friday, June 12, 1:30-3 p.m., East Branch in Rockwell; Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-noon, RPL Headquarters, Salisbury.

Weekly programs begin June 15 and run until July 30. Family programs will be offered at Cleveland Town Hall and reading hours can be tracked there at the time of the program.

Wonders: 12- to 24-month-olds — 30 minutes; runs for four weeks, June 15 -July 9. Headquarters, Wednesday, 10 a.m.; East Branch, Monday, 10 a.m.; South Rowan Regional, Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Marvels: 2-year-olds — 30 minutes; four weeks, June 15-July 9. All at 10:30 a.m. Headquarters, Thursday; East Branch, Tuesday; South Rowan Regional, Wednesday.

Mighty Readers: 3- to 5-year-olds — 30-45 minutes; seven weeks, June 15-July 30. All at 10:30 a.m.; Headquarters, Tuesday; East Branch, Thursday; South Rowan Regional, Monday.

Super Readers: Rising first- through fifth-graders — 45 minutes; seven weeks, June 15-July 30. Headquarters, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; East Branch, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.; South Rowan Regional, Tuesday, 2 p.m.; Cleveland Town Hall, Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Performer lineup — June 15-19, The Sock Rockerz; June 22-26, Red Herring Puppets; June 29-July 3, Rags to Riches; July 6-10, Ro & Mo; July 13-17, Zelnik the Magician; July 20-24, Mother Minter; July 27-31, Lee Street Theatre.

Special summer reading programs for camps and daycares are by reservation only. Call 704-216-8245 for more information.

A special parent workshop for parents of children ages 0-5, Monday, June 22, 6-7 p.m. at Headquarters only. The workshop is free but registration is required and space is limited. Parents can register by calling 704-216-8234.

Teen summer reading: “UnMask” Summer Reading Program June 15-July 31, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders may participate. Teens can earn library dollars to be used at the end of the summer to enter raffles on prizes provided by Friends of Rowan Public Library and other local organizations.

Programs will be 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays at Headquarters; Wednesdays, East Branch; and Thursdays at South Rowan Regional.

Each teen will receive a booklet when they register. The booklet is a way to keep track of library dollars. Prize raffles will be drawn at the National Teen Lock-in at Headquarters on Friday, July 31, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Hero’s Hunt: A hero-themed scavenger hunt with challenges —Headquarters, June 16; East Branch, June 17; South Rowan Regional, June 18.

Marvelous Comics: A presentation on how to draw comics — Headquarters, June 23; East Branch, June 24; South Rowan Regional, June 25.

Villainous Art: Graffiti art and other villainous activities — Headquarters, June 30;  East Branch, July 1; South Rowan Regional, July 2.

Game Show Challenge: How well do you know your superheroes? — Headquarters, July 7; East Branch, July 8; South Rowan Regional, July 9.

Hero’s Challenge: Which hero will survive? — Headquarters, July 14; East Branch, July 15;South Rowan Regional, July 16.

UnMasked: Mask-making and t-shirt designing — Headquarters, July 21; East Branch, July 22; South Rowan Regional, July 23.

National Teen Lock-in: End of summer celebration — Headquarters, July 31, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Adults summer reading: Adults ages 18+ may “Escape the Ordinary” at the Summer Reading Program at the library, where they will have a chance to escape the ordinary through reading, movies and more.

To participate, each adult must sign up at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. Participants may pick up an information packet, which will be available at each library location starting June 15. The packet contains details on how to track reading hours, prize levels, fun activities, program information and more. Reading hours may be tracked June 10-Aug. 8. Prizes include Amazon gift cards and two tablet computers. Prize winners will be announced at the end of summer celebration, Be Your Own Hero, and participants do not have to be present to win.

In addition to tracking reading hours, adults may attend special programs including: Film presentation by Will Davis, a professional filmmaker and educator, will explore the worlds of heroes and villains on the silver screen. Heros – Monday, June 22, 6:30 p.m., Headquarters. Villains – Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m., South Rowan Regional (China Grove)

Summer movie series: All movies start at 6:30 p.m. Headquarters.  June 16, “Big Hero 6” (PG); June 23, “Guardians of the Galaxy” (PG13); June 30,  “Miracles” (PG). Movies are free and all ages are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Movies run June 16 -Aug. 11. Free popcorn and lemonade.

Book Bites Club: June 30, 6:30 p.m., “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend,“ by Susan Orlean. Book discussion groups for adults and children at South Rowan Regional Library meet the last Tuesday of each month. Open and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments. For more information, call 704-216-7841.

Displays: Headquarters, AARP; South, photography by Aaron Cress; East, vintage fashions by Alice Thompson.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second  language.