The Fourth Annual "York Reads! One Book, One Community" provides an opportunity for friends, families, neighbors, townspeople and co-workers to share the experience of reading a single book and discussing their thoughts and ideas with each other. Formally or informally, in passing or at an organized event.
This year's book is "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary Schmidt.
"In 1911, Turner Buckminster hates his new home in Phippsburg, Maine, but things improve when he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from a poor, nearby island community founded by former slaves that the town fathers - and Turner's - want to change into a tourist spot."
It was a Newbery Honor Book in 2005. Please join us in making this a successful community event that celebrates the warm and open exchange of ideas that characterizes the community of York.
"Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" themes, from the Random House website: imprisonment of expectations or expectations as stifling/limiting; importance of individuality/danger of conformity; knowledge is power and power is control/those can be dangerous if used incorrectly; danger of racism and stereotypes; dehumanization involved in racism and stereotypes; manipulation of truth to serve selfish needs; manipulation of religious ideas to serve selfish needs; importance of family; live in the now/not the past or the future; need for acceptance - can be dangerous.
GET INVOLVED!
Read the book and discuss its ideas with family, friends and neighbors.
Host a book discussion at your home or business, during lunch break or at a weekly staff meeting.
Plan a creative activity that relates to the theme of the book, such as sponsoring a slow pitch softball game, going on a whale watch, or performing a piano or choral concert.
Tour York and learn about its history as a town and as a resort community.
Take turns reading the book aloud with your family after dinner and see what dialogue ensues.
Share the book with a friend, neighbor, co-worker or at a business or restaurant you frequent.
Encourage your book club to choose this book, or form a new book club using York Reads and "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" as a starting point.
Participate in one of the many York Reads programs offered throughout the community during the month of March - more information is on its way!
So many help to make this event a success by reading the book and facilitating an exchange of ideas that helps us all to learn and grow. Thank you to the York Schools, York Adult and Community Education, York Hospital, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, the Old York Historical Society, Sentry Hill and the many other groups and individuals who support York Reads and our goal of building community.
Books may be purchased for $5 - under the retail price - at the York Public Library, York Hospital the York Adult and Community Education office, and the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce.
Questions? Call the York Public Library at 363-2812 or York Adult and Continuing Education at 363-7922.
Wishing you good reading.
