The children’s section at the Chilton-Clanton Public Library was abuzz during the month of June as more than 100 kids participated in the summer reading program.

The free program incorporated the statewide theme chosen by the Alabama Public Library Service of “Fizz, Boom, Read!” for 2014.

The program was open to any child who had completed kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth grade.

“We were really busy this month,” Chilton-Clanton Public Library Children’s librarian Renee Edwards said. “From June 2 to June 20 we had more than 7,000 books checked out from kids participating in the program.”

A closing program was held Tuesday at the library with prizes awarded to all the children who participated in the program.

Edwards also recognized the top readers in each category who were given gift cards to Books-A-Million.

Lindsey Popwell, who read 61 books and won third place in the third and fourth grade division, said her favorite books to read this summer were the Nancy Drew series.

“I loved them,” Popwell said. “I like mystery books and enjoyed reading the series.”

When Popwell stood talking about the Nancy Drew books, Karli Tilley enthusiastically spoke up about her love of the series as well.

“Oh yeah, I love Nancy Drew too,” Tilley said. “The books are intriguing.”

Both girls answered in unison that the “best” Nancy Drew book was “The Clue in the Diary.”

“That one for some reason was just really good,” Tilley said.

Edwards said it is encouraging to hear that many of the kids enjoy reading classics such as the Nancy Drew series, which was first published in 1930.

“The classics are still very popular,” Edwards said. “Nancy Drew is still a favorite character for girls to read about.”

Other books frequently checked out this summer included the Lemony Snicket books, Splat the Cat, the Junie B. Jones series, Judy Moody books, the American Girl series and the Kingdom Keepers series.

Natalie Holmes said she signed up her two boys, Wesley and Drake, for the program due to their love of reading.

“My boys enjoy reading,” Holmes said. “In our family, we really encourage reading and drawing so it isn’t hard for me to get them to want to read.”

Wesley won first place in the first and second grade division for reading 327 books and Drake won first place in the third and fourth grade division for reading 326 books.

“Together, they read over 600 books,” Holmes said. “They would each read for at least three or four afternoons a week.”

All books for the program had to be checked out from the Chilton-Clanton Public Library.

Children could read the books by themselves or to others, such as their parents.

In order for books to be counted toward the program, all books had to be checked in by June 20.

“This Friday was a busy day,” Edwards said. “In one day we checked in 689 books from kids who were trying to get them counted for the program.”

The top winners in the program included:

Kindergarten: Aiden Rhodes, first place for reading 79 books; Brady Popwell, second place for reading 73 books and third place; Juliette Williams for reading 47 books.

First and second grade: Wesley Holmes, first place for reading 327 books; Madison Rhodes, second place for reading 162 books; and third place, Tanasia Jones for reading 116 books.

Third and fourth grade: First place, Drake Holmes for reading 326 books; second place, Brooke Brown for reading 126 books and Lindsey Popwell for reading 61 books.

Fifth and sixth grade: First place, Hanah Connell for reading 82 books; second place, Karli Tilley for reading 43 books; Kaylee Emerson, third place for reading 52 books; and Kristina Moore won fourth place for reading 20 books.