KENNEBUNK—High School teacher and author Andy Young will read from his new book, “Young Ideas,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Kennebunk Free Library.

A collection of 70 columns that have previously appeared in newspapers around the state, “Young Ideas”
gathers Young’s unique observations on life, teaching, writing, and everything else, all mixed with Young’s signature humor.

“There are a total of 70 essays in the book, more than a half-dozen of which are potentially life-impacting,” Young says. “The rest are merely inspiring, insightful, or insipid and amusing.

A long-time columnist for a number of Maine newspapers, Young combed through more than 450 essays to choose the pieces for “Young Ideas.”

According to Young, the columns about people and everyday life are the ones that still resonate for him.

“After looking back at over a decade’s worth of essays, I’ve learned most of the ones dealing with current events or pop culture don’t have much of a shelf life,” he said in a recent interview with BAM! Publishing. “Little vignettes about everyday occurrences, though, they stay relevant forever, and sometimes the significance of those events grows with time.”

Young is a familiar face at Kennebunk High School, where he is in his 15th year as a teacher of English and literacy. Before that, he worked as a play-by-play announcer for several minor-league professional baseball and hockey teams. Young has done everything from digging  ditches and washing dishes to selling athletic footwear and Christmas trees (though not at the same time). He and his three children live in Cumberland.

“There are countless other less easily-described blessings which I consciously remind myself to savor, starting with some of the young people who walk into my classroom at Kennebunk High School each day,”
he said. “I’ve got some incredible colleagues there too, each of whom serves as a walking, breathing reminder that the most valuable treasures in my life aren’t tangible possessions, but people.”

The Kennebunk Free Library is at 112 Main St. in Kennebunk.

For more information, please call 207-985-2173 or visit www.kennebunklibrary.org.