Hoffman’s local appearance takes place at Christel House Academy, a charter school developed by entrepreneur Christel DeHaan. The Fever’s top draft pick in 2004, Ebony will get kids excited about reading and help the school celebrate a school-wide Reading Is Fundamental (R.I.F.) book giveaway through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program will stress the importance of reading, and each child will receive a book through the grant. In addition, the Fever will donate WNBA bookmark to all of the children at the program. The program begins at 2:00 p.m.

In New York, meanwhile, Catchings will participate with Nobel-prize winning author Toni Morrison in a Reading Time Out on Center Court at the NBA Store (Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street). They are joined by Morrison’s son, Slade, an artist and co-author in the Morrisons’ illustrated book series, “WHO’S GOT GAME?” In an effort to encourage reading among youth, the trio will appear on Center Court to share the Morrisons’ book series with a group of New York area school children. Following the event, the group will sign copies of the book for fans. The Reading Time Out begins at 4:00 p.m.