November always makes me think about those rough and tumble guys who like wrestling, football, and rough sports, but maybe not reading. My son often spends the holiday at his dad's. One year, I called to wish him happy turkey day.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "Watchin' the fights," was his quick reply.

St. Louis Public Library has books and programs to attract those noisy guys.

Hulk Hogan has written a book based on his life. Born Terry Bollea, Hogan escaped a life of dock and construction work in Florida to become a 12-time professional World Wrestling champion. He has appeared in several movies, including Rocky III, was the co-host for NBC's American Gladiators, and is the executive producer, judge, and host of Hulk Hogan's Championship Wrestling on CMT.

Our fall Read It Forward pick is another kind of battle. In Chess Rumble, Marcus learns how to think strategically to make winning choices in chess and in life. Meet G. Neri, the author of this free verse novella, and illustrator Jesse Joshua Watson, at Schlafly Branch on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. Neri's provocative, edgy story will open young boys' minds to reading. Watson has illustrated The New York Times bestselling Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler. His latest book is I and I, Bob Marly, by Tony Medina.

SLPL is tag teaming with the WWE, the Young Adult Library Services Association, and 1,800 libraries to encourage teens to read.

"I wouldn't be where I am today had it not been for reading," said Smackdown MVP Matt Hardy. Here's how the WrestleMania Reading Challenge works:

Teens in grades 5 to 12 sign up at any full service SLPL location.

Read 10 library books, graphic novels, or magazines.

Turn in your reading log.

Design a bookmark that promotes reading.

The three best bookmarks will be sent to a national competition. Fifteen readers representing different regions of the country will win a trip to WrestleMania XXVI in Phoenix and a chance to compete for the title of WrestleMania Reading Challenge National Champion. The challenge runs through Jan. 18, 2010. Sign up now!

For live action reading try:
Are We There Yet?: tales from the never-ending travels of WWE superstars by Robert Caprio. Booker T., Undertaker, Michael Cole, Al Snow, and Rey Mysterio and others about life on the pro circuit.

There's a Girl in My Hammerlock by Jerry Spinelli. Maisie plans to lure Eric away from Liz by trying out for his wrestling team - and she makes it!

At Gleason's Gym by Ted Lewin is a story about one of the most famous places to learn boxing.

Takedown by Matt Christopher is the story of a young boy finding his place in his family, and his strength on and off the matt.

Pro Wrestling Kids' Style by Shawn "Crusher" Crossen is the true story of a 14-year-old fight promoter.

Of course, the library has biographies of pro-wrestlers, books to teach you wrestling moves, and books about other sports too. So, after that big dinner, bring dad to the library. Reading will make you both thankful - and strong.

Patty Carleton is director of youth services at St. Louis Public Library. She has been a librarian at St. Louis Public Library since earning her master's in library science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1989. You can e-mail her at savvyfamily@yourjournal.com.