The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is proud to announce its continued association with New Line Cinema as a sponsor of 2003 Teen Read Week, and the unveiling of the new Teen Read Week poster featuring "The Lord of the Rings" cast member Orlando Bloom. Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative sponsored by YALSA that encourages teenagers to "read for the fun of it." YALSA is a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

Teen Read Week will be celebrated in hundreds of schools and public libraries across the country, October 19-25, 2003. The celebration will highlight the popularity of poetry and verse with teen readers, who will be encouraged to do some "Slammin' @ your library(R)".

New Line Cinema has produced the trilogy of films based on the much-loved novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. The third and final installment of the motion picture trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" will be released in theaters globally in December 2003.

Now in its sixth year, Teen Read Week reminds teens, parents and educators of the importance of reading for pleasure. Reading not only improves grades; it leads to a lifetime of learning and enjoyment.

"We hope our films will encourage more young people to read, and working with YALSA has given us a great opportunity to expand the readership of Tolkien's classic work," said Russell Schwartz, President, Domestic Theatrical Marketing, New Line Cinema.

"Tolkien's words, the film's moving imagery and teens are made for each other," notes YALSA President Audra Caplan.

"We are proud to work with New Line, whose 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy so powerfully presents a teen protagonist struggling against the odds. The power of the motion pictures leads teens back to the original stories, and encourages them to continue reading for the fun of it!"

New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" concludes the compelling journeys at the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's revered trilogy. Produced, co-written and directed by Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" tells the story of this heroic quest and reveals how through courage, commitment, and determination, even the least of us can change the world. The film is produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson. The screenplay is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Jackson based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. Cast members include (in alphabetical order) Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, and Elijah Wood.

Teen Read Week supporting organizations include: American Association of School Administrators, American Booksellers Association, Cable in the Classroom, International Reading Association, Kids Care, KIDSNET, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council of Teachers of English, National Education Association, National School Boards Association, SmartGirl.org, The N/Noggin, Speak Up Press, and TeenInk.

Other corporate sponsors include Barnes & Noble Booksellers, HarperCollins Books for Children, Harcourt, Inc. and Morningstar Foods, Inc. Scholastic, Inc. is a corporate friend of Teen Read Week and Pamela Spencer Holley is an individual friend.