Whitehall-Coplay Middle School is proud to welcome author Josh Berk Friday, Nov. 14.

Berk's novels are perfect for middle school and high school students, each bursting with humor and mystery. His first novel "The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin" was one of Kirkus Reviews' 2010 Best Books for Children and Teens, as well as one of the Best Books of 2010 for Teens by Amazon.com, and a Pennsylvania Reader's Choice nominee.

Berk has also written three other books. "Guy Langman: Crime Scene Procrastinator" follows a high school student as he joins his school's forensic science team just in time to investigate a murder. "Strike Three: You're Dead" and "Say It Ain't So" are part of a new series, "Lenny & The Mikes," in which three friends combine their love for baseball and solving mysteries.

Berk has worked for more than 15 years as a public librarian and is now following in his father's footsteps as the executive director for the Bethlehem Area Public Library.

Students can visit the middle school library to pick up an order form for his books. All orders are due by Oct. 28 to ensure the book is received by the author visit date to be signed.

For more information about Josh Berk, visit www.joshberkbooks.com.

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Don't forget, the ESOL Department will be hosting its annual family night 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the middle school.

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The Zephyr Elementary School Fall Food Drive will run through Nov. 14.

Students and staff have begun collecting canned foods and other nonperishable items. The items collected will help fill Thanksgiving baskets for the less fortunate in the Whitehall community.

There are drop-off boxes in the main foyer for items to be deposited.

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Visit the Whitehall-Coplay School District website at www.whitehallcoplay.org and be sure and bookmark it.

Many guidelines, important dates, lunch information and much more can be found on the site.

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Do you have any school news? This column is a compilation of upcoming school events in the Whitehall-Coplay School District. Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTSAs, club advisors and other community members are invited to share news of their upcoming activities. Email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with "Whitehall-Coplay School News" in the subject line at least a week before an event.