SCR is a nonprofit group based in Shelbyville that seeks to excite people of all ages about literature.

The official kickoff for the season took place Sunday, with a sold-out tea and appetizers event that featured Japanese crafts displays, kimono demonstrations and Japanese snacks. The scheduled Indianapolis Minyo Dancers, a Japanese folk dance troupe, canceled their performance Sunday afternoon due to inclement weather in the Indianapolis metro area.

The Japanese arts fit SCR’s theme for its 2009 book selections, all of which are tied to Japanese culture and history. The committee chose the theme last year, which marked Shelbyville’s 20th anniversary of its sister-city relationship with Shizuoka City, Japan.

Book selections for 2009 include: "Yoko" by Rosemary Wells for preschool and first-grade students; "Baseball Saved Us" by Ken Mochizuki and Dom Lee for grades 2 through 3; "The Time Warp Trio: Sam Samurai" by Jon Scieska for grades 3 through 5; "Thin Wood Walls" by David Patneaude for grades 6 through 8; "Kira Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata as an alternate choice for grades 6 through 8; "Mismatch" by Lensey Namioka for grades 7 through 12; and "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson for grades 9 through 12 and adults.  

On Feb. 2, the Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library Youth Department, 57 W. Broadway St., will host a class on origami for preteens and children at 6:30 p.m. A class on anime crafts is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m., also for preteens and children.

Opportunities for teens are available Feb. 12 with an anime crafts class at 6:30 p.m. at the library, Feb. 19 with a "Thin Wood Walls" book discussion at 6:30 p.m. at the library, and an origami class for teens is scheduled for Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m., also at the library

On Feb. 5 at 6 p.m., the library will host a movie screening of "Snow Falling on Cedars," a PG-13 film based on the book.  

A highlight of the SCR season is a lecture by Indiana resident Jean Umemura at the Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St., on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. There is no admission charge, but free will donations will benefit The Salvation Army.

Umemura and her husband, George, are Japanese Americans who lived in internment camps in Washington and Idaho during World War II.

A second film screening is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The featured film is "Time of Fear," a documentary featuring footage and interviews of Japanese Americans who were relocated to internment camps during World War II.

A calligraphy workshop led by Grover Museum director Candice Miller will take place Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the museum, 52 W. Broadway St. The event is free apart from a $2 supply fee.

The same night, Grover Museum will introduce its Japanese exhibit put together by Japanese women living in Shelby County.

Two book discussions are scheduled for "Snow Falling on Cedars" on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at Three Sisters Books & Gifts, 7 Public Square, and March 3 at 7 p.m. at the library.

This year’s deadline for Shelby County Reads writing contest entries is Feb. 27 to the library or Three Sisters bookstore. The contest is open to all age groups, and essay topics and guidelines are available at the library. The contest culminates with an awards ceremony March 12 at Shelbyville High School, 2003 S. Miller St., at 7 p.m.

Details and updates to the SCR calendar are available at the library and at www.shelbycountyreads.org and www.sscpl.lib.in.us.