Catoosa Citizens for Literacy and the Catoosa County Public Library are sponsoring their fifth annual “One Book, One Community” program.

This year’s book of choice is “The House on Tradd Street,” written by novelist Karen White, who will be making a guest appearance May 2 at The Learning Center in Ringgold.

White will give a lecture and be available for signing her books. Shirley Smith, executive director of CCL, said she’s very excited about this year’s book.

“It’s a fantastic book,” Smith said, “full of mystery, romance and intrigue. There are ghosts, but it’s not done in a scary or disturbing way. We’re hoping our readers will save that May 2 date on their calendars and come meet the author. They’ll love the book and they’ll really enjoy meeting her.”

“The House on Tradd Street,” first published in 2008 by New American Library, centers on Melanie Middleton, a realtor of historic homes in Charleston, S.C., who has the ability to see ghosts. When she inherits one of the old homes on Tradd Street, she also inherits a dog, a housekeeper and a family of ghosts who are eager to talk to her. Handsome writer Jack Trenholm has reason to believe there are diamonds missing from the Confederate treasury hidden in the home and convinces Middleton to help him uncover the mystery.

White has authored 15 books, several of which are part of her bestselling mystery series set based in Charleston, S.C. White writes what she refers to as ‘grit lit,’ or “southern women’s fiction.” Her books have been nominated for numerous national contests including multiple RITA’s (Romance is Treasured Always), the Georgia Author of the Year Award and she has won the National Readers’ Choice Award twice.

Her website states she “comes from a long line of Southerners,” but spent most of her growing up years in Lon-don, England, and is a graduate of the American School in London. She has a bachelor of science degree from Tu-lane University and presently lives near Atlanta, Ga., with her husband and two teenage children. Her next book, “Sea Change,” will be published in June and she is contracted with Penguin Publishers for five more novels.

Catoosa County citizens are encouraged to read the book and attend the signing to meet the author. Books may be checked out at the Catoosa County Library or purchased at the Learning Center of Catoosa County. For more in-formation: 706-965-8275, ext. 5.

Catoosa Citizens for Literacy is a certified Literate Community program. The mission of Catoosa Citizens for Lit-eracy is to help all families of the community achieve life-long learning through literacy enabling them to reach their individual goals, while providing businesses with a better-educated, productive workforce.

Catoosa Citizens for Literacy

Lecture and book signing

Author Karen White

Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m.

The Learning Center of Catoosa County

Benton Place Campus

Ringgold, Ga.

706-965-8275, ext. 5