MOBILE, Ala. (RNS) Students at the University of Mobile will begin reading aloud “The Chronicles of Narnia” on Thursday (Sept. 24) and won’t stop until the story’s completion on Friday.

Narnia is the magical kingdom entered through a wardrobe closet in C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” the first installment of the “Chronicles of Narnia” books.

Katherine Abernathy, associate professor of English at the school, said students will begin reading aloud “The Chronicles of Narnia” at 10 a.m. Thursday, continuing through the day and night until the story’s completion.

A special invitation has been given to children who are being home schooled. Kathy Dean, the university’s spokesperson, said there is a tradition of home schooled children ultimately attending the University of Mobile.

“This is a small, private Christian university with a lot of opportunity for creativity, for learning,” said Dean. “It’s attractive to students who’ve come up through the home school ranks.”

The reading is being organized by Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society, which has devoted past read-a-thons to classic novels from diverse traditions, including “Don Quixote,” “Moby Dick,” and “Crime and Punishment.”

“`The Chronicles of Narnia’ really hit home for a lot of us with its Christian allegories,” said Amber Collinsworth, the student who is president of Sigma Tau Delta.

“The themes of Christ’s sacrifice and man’s redemption found in C.S. Lewis’ writings are timeless and applicable to our lives,” she said.

“The allegorical elements of the books point to Christian ideals which many people guide their lives by today. The truths reflected in this book series are fundamental to the Christian faith.”