There's a first for everything, and today marks the first meeting of a book-discussion group for children at the Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library.

Children in grades 3 to 5 are invited to come and enjoy refreshments, make suggestions about future monthly meetings and, of course, chat about the first reading.

This month's book is Natalie Babbit's Tuck Everlasting, chosen partly because a Disney movie based on it is now in theaters, but mostly because of the weighty questions it poses about the value of life.

Tonight's event serves as a test-run and planning session for the program. Kids will help choose future titles to discuss and a name for the group that is a little more catchy than "book discussion."

While the group will be advised by the library staff, the kids will control most of the program.

"The librarians will provide suggestions, and the kids will choose from there," librarian Janet Lloyd says. "A lot will depend on what the children want."

The event begins at 4:30 p.m., 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Registration is required. Call 410-638-3151.