What is Reading Across Rhode Island?
Reading Across Rhode Island, a project of the Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library, is the state’s community read. This is the fifth year for Rhode Island’s “One Book, One State” project.
2003 – Wish You Well, by David Baldacci
2004 – Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd
2005 – Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
2006 – Shadow Divers, by Robert Kurson
2007 - The Memory of Running, by East Providence native, Ron McLarty
The 2008 title is Water for Elephant, by Sara Gruen
The goal of Reading Across RI is to shine a spotlight on literacy and to involve all Rhode Islanders in a community dialogue focusing on books and reading.
The 2008 selection Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants is the mesmerizing story about life in the circus in the 1930’s during the Great Depression, told in flashback by Jacob Jankowski, a 90-something year-old man living in a nursing home. Themes for discussion include circus life, life in the Depression, treatment of animals, railroads, care of the elderly - and more. You are invited to involve the students, patrons, members of book groups and senior centers in your community in this exciting reading and literacy program.
Programs and Events
- RARI’n to Go – Under the Big Top: a preview on Wednesday, January 23 at the Cumberland Public Library with Associate Publisher, Ina Stern of Algonquin Books.
- A presentation, Roustabout to Ringling: Wild and True Stories from 40 Years in the Circus, by Rob Mermin, founder of Circus Smirkus in Vermont on February 25, 7 pm at Barrington Public Library.
- Family Circus Day at Providence Public Library, March 16, 2-4 pm.
- Animals and the Invitation to Ethics, by Paul Waldau, D. Phil., J.D. on April 12 at 2 pm at a location to be announced
- A live videoconference with Sara Gruen for schools and libraries on May 9, 2008.
- The annual May Breakfast on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket in Cranston with Sara Gruen as the guest speaker.
You are invited to involve the students, patrons, members of book groups and senior centers in your community in this exciting reading and literacy program.
For more information, c all Louise Moulton at 455-8134
Nominate a book for Reading Across RI 2008