DAPHNE, Ala. — From Nancy Drew to Scooby Doo, mysteries intrigue many children and often spark an interest in other genres. That’s why the Daphne Public Library is starting the “Kids Clue Club.”

The program — open to third- through fifth-graders — begins this week and will meet each Friday from 3:30  to 4:30 p.m.

“The club will meet weekly to read together and solve a mystery,” Cathy Chandler, children’s librarian, said.  “The hope is that it will inspire children to read for enjoyment which will ultimately build their reading skills.”

The club was inspired by a local mystery writer, Frank Anthony — also the program’s sponsor.

Each month children will choose books from a reading list and they will read together and talk about the stories during the meetings.

“Reading together in a social setting encourages discussion and debate which also enhances reading and learning,” she said. “Seeing and hearing the enthusiasm of other readers promotes interest.”

Children will also receive a free T-shirt and Frisbee; they can pick up each month’s reading list and mystery from the library.

“I think the Kid’s Clue Club will reach a group of children that perhaps are not interested in other types of fiction,” Tonja Young, library director, said in an e-mail. “Any program designed to help children spend time enjoying books is great for development; mysteries are great not only for practicing reading skills, but analytical skills as well. 

“Mysteries provoke thought and help us learn to use clues and signals to develop a hypothesis or solution.”

This month’s reading list is as follows:

•The “Nancy Drew” series by Carolyn Keene

•The “Hardy Boys” series  By Franklin W. Dixon

•The “Encyclopedia Brown” series  By Donald J. Sobol

•The “Boxcar Children” series  By Gertrude Chandler Warren

•“A to Z Mysteries” by Ron Roy

Fore more information on “Kids Clue Club” meetings, call 621-2818 or visit kidsclueclub.com