DAVIDSON – ReadDavidson, a town-wide initiative organized by a group of avid readers, the Town of Davidson, Main Street Books and Davidson Public Library, has chosen “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett, as its book for 2011.

Each year, since 2007, town residents vote for a book, and the ReadDavidson committee plans events to make the book come to life. This year’s pick follows three women who attempt to break the racial boundaries of 1960s Mississippi by putting together a book about the African American experience in the South.

This year’s event includes:

• Kick-off, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.: Our Town’s Cinemas will show the movie “The Help.” Buy discount tickets for $7 at Main Street Books and the Davidson Branch Library starting in August. A short discussion will follow the movie.

• Bake-off and Tasting, Aug. 27: Because baking is featured throughout “The Help,” ReadDavidson asks people to bake something mentioned in the book, using as many ingredients as possible from the Davidson Farmer’s Market. Market visitors will taste each selection and vote for their favorite.

• Book discussion, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.: Davidson College Professor Shireen Campbell will lead a discussion about the book in the Community Room of the Davidson Public Library.

• Lecture, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.: Professor Emeritus Tony Abbot presents his animated perspective of the book’s characters at The Pines at Davidson, 400 Avinger Lane.

• Panel discussion, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.: Led by the Beloved Community, a book club consisting of members of Davidson Presbyterian and Davidson College Presbyterian churches, panel members discuss the book and share how experiences from Davidson’s past affects its future.

• Finale, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m.: Jan Blodgett and Ralph Levering discuss life in Davidson during the 1960s and will compare it to life in Jackson, Miss., the setting for “The Help.”

The book is available for purchase at the Davidson Public Library, Main Street Books and the ReadDavidson table at the Davidson Farmer’s Market.