READING-technique?

Question:I am volunteering at my local public library as a READER.
I am scheduled to read aloud *books* at the library system. The first book that is asked to be read is COLD, SASSY TREE by Olive Ann Burns.
This book is one that revolves around stories told about a small town in Southern USA; I believe during the Prohibition-era.

My question is how (what dialect) should I use while reading this book? I am told by the library system to expect groups of younger children (ages 8-10 y.o.) to be my audience.

%I have Public Speaking (I am a local TOASTMASTER), Dramatic (stage acting) and Broadcast announcing experience, so I am not afraid to use these "skills."
Thanks for suggestions and presentation ideas.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am volunteering at my local public library as a READER.
I am scheduled to read aloud *books* at the library system. The first book that is asked to be read is COLD, SASSY TREE by Olive Ann Burns.
This book is one that revolves around stories told about a small town in Southern USA; I believe during the Prohibition-era.

My question is how (what dialect) should I use while reading this book? I am told by the library system to expect groups of younger children (ages 8-10 y.o.) to be my audience.

%I have Public Speaking (I am a local TOASTMASTER), Dramatic (stage acting) and Broadcast announcing experience, so I am not afraid to use these "skills."
Thanks for suggestions and presentation ideas.

If you can carry off the southern accent, I think it will add a lot of flavor to the story. However, be careful, because the kids might not understand your pronounciation.

Try some google search !

We listen to many audio books, and really have the greatest respect for the fine readers that do them! I have been told that many of them keep small recorded *clips* of their various voices on the computer - so if a character returns to the story after not being in the book for a few chapters ( or the reader has taken a break!) that the reader can refresh their ear, and get back into that voice. We hears the Lord of the Rings - one great British reader did almost FIFTY distinct voices - he was amazing! THANK YOU for volunteering to do this - what a wonderful thing to do for children and the partially-sighted!