The Big Read 2009

Originally published during the United States Centennial year of 1876, Mark Twain’s classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has been called a “national hymn to American boyhood”.  Filled with hair-brained adventures on the river, great escapes, hideouts, pirates, murder, first love, great heroics, and tough decisions; readers of all ages will chuckle at the antics of young Tom and his pal Huck in this largely autobiographical novel by Mark Twain.  While most consider  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to be a book for children, this heart-warming coming of age story deserves to be revisited later in life when its satire of public morality, education, the law, religion, medicine, economics, and community life strike a chord with more mature readers.   Its universal themes of friendship, freedom and forgiveness are still meaningful today and provide an invitation to ponder what it means to be a child in America then and now.

This fall, Orem residents of all ages will have the opportunity to explore this classic novel and how its themes relate to us today as part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Orem Public Library will feature a month long series of presentations, discussions, performances, and lectures on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer drawn from Utah’s most eminent scholars and artists. So pick up a copy, relax, and read. We know you’ll love this book!

The Big Read 2008

Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird has enthralled readers since its publication in 1960, when it spent 88 weeks on the best seller lists and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The touching homegrown story from small town America is accessible to readers of many ages and every walk of life. We have all known characters in our lives who mirror those in Scout’s neighborhood, we remember what it was like to be a child and see grown-up problems through a child’s eyes. We remember kind, good, and courageous people who made a difference in our lives. Along with Scout, readers of To Kill A Mockingbird learn to empathize with someone who is different, to “Consider things from his point of view – climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This empathy, and the courage and compassion shown by lawyer and father Atticus Finch, are essential qualities in our rapidly changing society. Join us in reading Harper Lee’s novel and take some time to think about your community and the people in your life.

This Fall, Orem residents of all ages will have the opportunity to explore this classic novel and how its themes relate to us today as part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The Orem Public Library will feature a month long series of presentations, discussions, performances and lectures on To Kill a Mockingbird drawn from Utah’s most eminent scholars and artists. So pick up a copy, relax, and read. We know you’ll love this book!

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Some programming is also made possible by Utah Valley University Library and a grant from the Utah Humanities Council. The Utah Humanities Council promotes understanding of human traditions, values, and issues through informed public discussion.