COEUR d'ALENE — The force was with Launa Anderson during Star Wars Reads Day.

The Coeur d'Alene 7-year-old, dressed as the character Rey in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," was among dozens of youth who participated in the action-packed event aimed at connecting lightsaber-toting kids with reading at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library on Saturday.

Anderson struck a bold pose on stage with her lightsaber during the Best Costume Contest, but when it was announced she was the winner, she couldn't help but become overjoyed during that moment.

The contest topped off an afternoon of enjoying literary materials, "Yoda soda," crafts, snacks, games, "The Force Awakens," making lightsabers and photo ops with characters Kylo Ren and a Rebel Alliance fighter pilot.

Anderson took a break from the activities to reflect on her favorite Star Wars moment.

"I liked the part where Rey (left behind as a child on the planet Jakku) finds BB-8 (droid of ace Resistance pilot Poe Dameron)," she said.

Anderson's father, Travis, donning a Star Wars T-shirt himself, said Star Wars Reads Day was a great opportunity for the two spend an afternoon together in a positive atmosphere.

"We're big Star Wars geeks," he said with a smile, moments after Launa won the contest. "Rey is a good role model for young girls. Getting the hair just right was the tricky part."

Susan Thorpe, the library's youth services supervisor dressed as a Jedi, said this is the fifth year the library held Star Wars Reads Day and, just like the movie series, it hasn't lost its momentum.

"Star Wars, as you can see, is still very popular with a lot of people," said Thorpe, amid the buzz of activity. "Star Wars Reads is a connection between the imagination and reading. It's all to promote reading and the Star Wars brand. It has become even more popular since the latest movie ("Episode VII: The Force Awakens") came out. They even love the dark side, too."

Coeur d'Alene mother Patty Evans assisted making a cyber drone with her son Cadel, who was dressed as Yoda.

"We're really thankful that this is an active library," she said.

Joe Ramos, 15, of Hayden, enjoyed reading a Star Wars book at the event.

"The Star Wars storyline is very broad," he said, referring to why he's such a fan. "There's the gaming world, books and movies, and it's something to enjoy. I grew up enjoying Star Wars."

Coeur d'Alene mother Hollie George said she took her 7-year-old daughter Isabella to Star Wars Reads Day because kids are more apt to read about something that's a hit with them. Isabella wanted to head to the library after hearing about the event at Winton Elementary.

"She just fell in love with Princess Leia," Hollie said.