BY COLLETTE CAPRARA

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

This month, middle-grades readers will have an opportunity to meet and greet two local authors as area libraries host a series of book signings.

Participants can learn how the idea for a book comes about, how a story develops, and unanticipated developments that may come in the course of creation. Both authors have tailored their tales for young readers with fast-paced action, exciting plot twists and turns, themes that will resonate with their imaginations and experiences, and dash of humor.

This Saturday at Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters, Maggie Lyons will be presenting two books: "Vin and the Dorky Duet" and "Dewi and the Seeds of Doom." The first novel weaves the tale of a trumpet-playing seventh-grader, Vin, and his quixotic quest to accomplish a seemingly impossible task posed by his sister. She promises that his success would be rewarded with a soccer jersey autographed by his favorite star player. Along the way, he encounters a series of hurdles and challenges--ranging from exploding fish tanks and magnetic compost heaps to a man-eating bubble bath. Though his calculated plots and plans backfire, Vin's mission climaxes with an unpredictable happy ending.

Far from the familiar cafeteria and halls of middle school, Lyons next takes her readers to the fantastic, magical world of Dewi the Dragon. Being a kindly Welsh dragon, Dewi is accustomed to doing a good deed daily, but he is called to accomplish the feat of his lifetime when he discovers the plot of an evil baron to control the world by permeating farmland with genetically modified corn.

With vividly detailed scenarios, Lyons keeps readers on the edge of their seats in a tale of adventure peppered with unexpected puns and crafty and clever characters.

Lyons says she hopes that her books will spark interest and enthusiasm among even reluctant readers.

"Children won't read books that are boring, so I try to end every chapter with something of a cliffhanger that will propel them to read on. Twists and turns don't bother kids at all, they thrive on them," she said. "And it's so important for them to enjoy reading, because literacy will be the foundation of their quality of life."