Hampshire County Council has launched a campaign to get people to pick-up and read a modern literary classic.
Basingstoke residents are being encouraged to read Barry Hines' book A Kestrel for a Knave as part of the council's Big Read initiative.
The second Big Read follows hot on the heels of a successful scheme to persuade residents to pick up Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo two years ago.
The council wants people to take out the book from their nearest library and debate its merits.
Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Margaret Snaith-Tempia, said: “The Hampshire Big Read campaign aims to encourage people of all ages to pick up a book from their local library and read something they perhaps wouldn’t choose otherwise.
“Discussing a book can help people think about it in an entirely different way and can get imaginations running.
“One book leads on to another and developing the reading habit can improve educational achievement and future prospects – as well as providing one of life’s pleasures.”
A Kestrel for a Knave, published in 1968, tells the story of Billy Casper who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Billy is bullied by his brother, ignored by his mother and failing at school.
He is able to escape the pressure of life with his one hobby, raising and taming a wild kestrel that he found as a chick.
The book is part of the GCSE syllabus and was turned into the film Kes, directed by Ken Loach in 1969.
The Big Read campaign chose the book to run alongside the county's Bird Festival which celebrates Hampshire bird life.
The campaign will run until the end of December and will feature a number of events and promotions at libraries and art centres.
In Basingstoke the book will be available at libraries in Chineham, South Ham and the mobile library in Market Square.
Readers will be able to pick up a feedback form from the libraries to jot down thoughts and feedback on the book.
Towards the end of the drive a screening of Kes will take place at Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, with an introduction by Barnsley poet Ian McMillan on Thursday, November 18.
For more information or tickets fcall 01329 223100 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/library
