When schools closed early this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, volunteers with the Friends of the Mathews Memorial Library weren’t able to visit Lee-Jackson Elementary School to give a free book to every graduating fourth grader, as they have for each of the past four years.

That did not stop this year’s giving effort. Friends member Jan Towne said rising fifth graders will be able to drop by the Mathews Visitor and Information Center between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. over the next three Saturdays—July 11, 18 and 25—to pick up their copy of Sara Pennypacker’s book “Pax.”

Friends volunteers will be on the porch of the visitor center, greeting students and checking off names. Students unable to stop by on any of the three Saturdays will still receive their books once school begins, said Towne.

“Pax” is the story of the love between a boy, Peter, and a wild fox he rescues and names Pax. When Peter’s father enlists in the military, the boy is forced to return the fox to the wil...