A well-known literacy advocate has teamed up with the Bermuda College to put together a televised book talk programme.

The show, entitled "RAGE: Read And Get Excited'', is geared toward inspiring students into thinking that reading is "all the rage''.

The half-hour long programme will feature a panel of Bermuda College students and faculty who will discuss the book selection.

The project, which will be aired on February 8 at 8 p.m. on ZBM during Literacy Month, is the brainchild of Bermuda College writer-in-residence Florenz Maxwell.

Mrs. Maxwell first conceived of the idea back in 1983 while watching a talk show. She said: "The idea came to me when I was watching a Phil Donahue show and saw the passion with which people related to a topic... I was thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful if they would discuss a book like that, because then it would be much more profound.'' Mrs. Maxwell put together a proposal, which unfortunately didn't pan out -- but she came across the proposal last year while cleaning out a drawer when she retired from her position as Junior Library Head.

"I chuckled to myself and said, `oh well, here's a dead dream' but when I called my friend Deaurene Aubrey (Bermuda College chief librarian), she didn't chuckle -- she asked if we could do it,'' said Mrs. Maxwell.

"So we updated the proposal and talked it over with a few people, and ZBM agreed to air it,'' she added.

The February 8 programme is a pilot, and the organisers hope to have a total of six televised shows.

The first book to be discussed, written by Lois Lowry and entitled "The Giver'', is about an annual ceremony where 12-year-olds receive a life assignment determined by the Elders.

But one child's life assignment leads him to an unnamed man -- known only as the Giver -- and he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.

"It's a powerful novel on so many levels... even though the language is simple, the theme isn't, and any age group can read it,'' Mrs. Maxwell noted.

Mrs. Maxwell said the reason she wanted the discussion to be televised was to involve the entire community.

"I'm a firm believer that, contrary to what many believe, television can be used to promote reading,'' she said.

"All you need is a good story and it can be better than any soap opera -- once people discover how fascinating reading is, the more people will want to read.'' Neville Manderson will co-host the programme along with Sarah Webber. Local musician Shine Hayward composed the music for the show and College student Andrea Smith designed the props and backdrop.

The panel will consist of Bermuda College students Davida Morris, Jane McLaren, Kristen White, Keilyn Lightbourn and Lynaias Symonds along with College English division chair Lynette Woods, English lecturer Sharon Virgil and College Library employee Jennifer Waelzholz.

"Everyone involved has to have read the book, and I've been impressed by the level of discussion coming from the students,'' Mrs. Maxwell said.

"But we don't just want to do this for Literacy Month and forget about it -- the main purpose is that we get people so interested in reading that no one can say Bermudians don't read, because I know they do.

"So far, we've got two possible sponsors, but we're looking for more -- and as far as we're concerned, money is not more important than motivating young people.

"Getting young people discussing books in an intelligent manner -- what more do we need? BOOKS ARE ALL THE RAGE -- Florenz Maxwell has teamed up with the Bermuda College to put together a talk show promoting reading.