Published: May 15, 2008 04:15 am         

Library Corner

The Big Read

During the month of May, there are many events scheduled throughout our region for The Big Read, which is being overseen by the Foothills Performing Arts Center. This program is designed to encourage literary reading in American popular culture and is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Communities who receive a grant from the NEA can choose a single book to discuss and hold related activities. This Big Read features Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

"To Kill a Mockingbird" has two themes, covering tolerance and justice, and deals with racism in a small Southern town. Published in 1960, it was on the best-seller list for 88 weeks, and the following year it won the Pulitzer prize. The book has sold more than 30 million copies in 18 languages.

Since then, more books have been written dealing with racism, many of which can be found at the library. The following bibliography includes several reading and interest levels that you and members of your family can enjoy.

The letters after each title indicate age level recommendations. J is for ages 8 up, T ages 12 and up, and A for adults. You'll find these titles and more on display at the library for the remainder of the month:

Bailey, Tom. "Cotton Song: A Novel." (A)

Berg, Elizabeth. "We Are All Welcome Here." (A)

Clements, Andrew. "The Jacket." (J)

Clinch, Jon. "Finn: A Novel." (A)

Crowe, Chris. "Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case." (T)

Crowe, Chris. "Mississippi Trial, 1955." (T)

Draper, Sharon M. "Fire from the Rock." (T)

Going, K. L. "The Liberation of Gabriel King." (T)

Johnson, Kathleen Jeffrie. "Target." (T)

Johnston, Tony. "Bone by Bone by Bone." (T)

Jordan, Hillary. "Mudbound." (A)

Kidd, Sue Monk. "The Secret Life of Bees." (T)

La Faye, A. "Nissa's Place." with sequel "" "A Strength of Saints." (J)

Littlesugar, Amy. "Freedom School, Yes!" (J)

Lorbiecki, Marybeth. "Jackie's Bat." (J)

McDonald, Joyce. "Devil on My Heels." (T)

McKissack, Pat. "A Friendship for Today." (J)

McKissack, Pat. "Abby Takes a Stand." (J)

McMullan, Margaret. "When I Crossed No-Bob." (J)

Moses, Sheila. "The Legend of Buddy Bush." (Y)

Nolan, Han. "A Summer of Kings." (T)

Pena, Matt de la. "Ball Don't Lie." (T)

Rodman, Mary Ann. "Yankee Girl." (J)

Schraff, Anne E. "Rosa Parks: Tired of Giving In.'" (J)

Sharenow, Robert. "My Mother the Cheerleader." (T)

Taylor, Mildred. "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." (J)

Taylor, Mildred. "Mississippi Bridge." (J)

Taylor, Mildred. "The Well: David's Story." (J)

Taylor, Mildred. "The Friendship." (J)

Uschan, Michael. "Lynching and Murder in the Deep South." (A)

Volponi, Paul. "Rooftop." (T)

Walter, Mildred Pitts. "The Girl on the Outside." (J)

Woodson, Jacqueline. "Feathers."(J)

Woodson, Jacqueline. "The Other Side." (J)

My favorite author and book on this list is Mildred Taylor's "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." I started reading Taylor's books in the 1970s and eagerly awaited each new title. Her books are realistic fiction and often deal with the evils of racism. When I read a book by Taylor, I get so caught up in the story, I lose any sense of real time or place. That's a good storyteller.

That title takes place in 1933 Mississippi and is the story of the Logans, a black family who own land. Cassie Logan, who is 9, is required to be subservient to the white families in the area. When she questions this and suffers physical abuse as a result, you feel the injustice. Other acts of violence by whites go unpunished and the story escalates from there. I won't tell you anymore and ruin the story, but once you've read one book by Taylor, you'll want to read them all. Only a few of her many award-winning books are listed in the bibliography. Taylor's books are all based on stories from her own family. Perhaps that's why they are so riveting and why you become one with the book.

Library Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Marie Bruni is director of Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta. Her column appears in the community section of The Daily Star every Thursday.