CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Visitors Bureau is teaming up with the United Way of Franklin County to read “The Area 51 Files,” the featured book of United We Read 2025. Young people are invited to this free offering at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center on July 29-31 and Aug. 1, 4 & 5 at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. each day.
Staff and friends of the Visitors Bureau will read chapters of “The Area 51 Files.” Attendees receive their own books to read along and will get to take the books home at the end of reading the story. Each day will include a fun activity related to the happenings of the chapters shared, plus alien-inspired snacks and refreshments.
The author of “The Area 51 Files” is Julie Buxbaum. She wrote the book in 2022 and followed with three more in the series: “The Big Flush” in 2023, “Friend or UFO” in 2024 and “Way Off Base” in 2025. Buxbaum is a former lawyer, who turned novelist. In addition to writing for a young audience, she authored two adult novels, “The Opposite of Love” and “After You.” Her books have been translated into 25 languages. “The Area 51 Files” comes to life with the artwork of Lavanya Naidu, who complements the storyline with her lively and amusing illustrations.
This out-of-this-world, funny story, where listeners will meet Sky, her pet hedgehog, Spike, Uncle Anish, Elvis and his fluffy dog, Pickles, plus the far-out Break Throughs, who are really aliens. It is a mystery with a lot of laughs; and it shares positive ideas about family, friends, discovery and adventure.
United We Read is free. Readers are asked to register children here on Eventbrite to reserve a space. At the end of each day of United We Read, Franklin County Visitors Bureau will hold a drawing for one of the sequel books.
Looking for more summer fun? Visit ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or contact Franklin County Visitors Bureau, 15 South Main St., in Chambersburg, or at 717-552-2977 for upcoming events. The Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center is located on Memorial Square in Chambersburg and open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
