THE BIG READ

March 2013

THE BIG READ* is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American popular culture. JMRL has received a grant from the NEA to provide a BIG READ throughout central Virginia during March 2013.

Creating a Nation of Readers

Amy Tan The Library's goal is to encourage all residents of Central Virginia to read and discuss The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan during this time. There will be many programs discussing the book, Chinese culture, and the immigrant experience.

Check the catalog for Library books and other books by the author. There are also library books about the author and the database literati will have more information about Amy Tan.

Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club is itself a joyful study in luck. An intricately patterned novel whose author thought she was writing a short-story collection, it is also a mother-daughter saga by a writer whose own mother wanted her to be anything but a writer.

Published in 1989 by an unknown first-time writer, The Joy Luck Club became a reviewers' darling and then an international best seller. The novel tells the story of new waves of immigrants who are changing and enriching America.

EXHIBIT

calligraphy VIRGINIA OPENINGS
All March

Central Library, 3rd floor

The exhibition of calligraphic renderings by local artist Terry Coffey features opening lines by Virginia writers and opening lines or stanzas by other well known poets and writers. In the tradition of historic illuminated manuscripts, the exhibit features a series of framed works on paper in watercolor, inks and gilding. Exhibit will be up all March.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Northside Library: Thurs, Feb 28, 4:00 & Thurs, Mar 7, 4pm
LITTLE READ BOOK BUGS
Author Grace Lin will come for a video Q&A chat via Skype on March 7th. There will be a tea and craft afternoon to discuss her book Starry River of the Sky and prepare questions at the first meeting on February 28. Then come on March 7th to meet Ms. Lin and ask her your questions. Both meetings are open to children ages 8 to 11. First twenty children to sign up will receive the book. Registration is required and begins Friday, February 1. Call 434-973-7893.
Gordon Avenue Library: Wed, Mar 6, 4pm
PLAY YOUR WAY TO CHINA
Get tangled in tangrams and catch the dragon's tail. Experience some of the fun games that are enjoyed by children in China. For grades K and up. Registration is required and begins February 20. Call 434.296.5544.
Crozet Library: Sat, Mar 9, 1pm
CROZET CULTURE CLUB: THIS TRIP - CHINA
Grab your passport and get ready to travel the globe. On this trip explore the customs and culture of China, the country where ice cream, dominoes and sunglasses all originated. So pack your bags and join the club for some traveling fun. Registration is required and begins February 19. For ages 7-11. Call 434.823.4050.
Northside Library: Sat, Mar 9, 10:30am
FAMILY FUN: KITE FLYING
A special Family Fun storytime to celebrate the traditional Chinese sport: kite flying. Enjoy stories about kites, sing songs and make a kite to take home and enjoy all spring. Registration is required and begins March 7. For children of all ages with an accompanying adult. Call 434-973-7893.
Gordon Avenue Library: Tues, Mar 12, 4pm
CHILDREN'S BOOK DISCUSSION
Join the R.E.A.D. Regulars for Child of the Owl by Laurence Yep, about 12-year-old Casey, who is sent to live with her grandmother in San Francisco’s Chinatown and learns about her Chinese heritage. Registration is ongoing. Get a get a free copy of the book. For grades 4 and up. Call 434.296.5544.
Gordon Avenue Library: Wed, Mar 13, 4pm
TALES OF SILK AND DRAGONS: FOLKTALES OF CHINA
Discover familiar tales, like variations of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, tales ancient, and newer folktales inspired by China. For grades 1 and up. Registration is required and begins February 27. Call 434.296.5544.
Scottsville Library: Sat, Mar 16, 11am
STAMPED SILK SCARF
The continent of Asia has a long history of decorating fabrics. As trade routes began to develop, these beautifully patterned fabrics were traded throughout Asia, Egypt and Greece, Europe and Africa. To make your own treasure, Chinese characters will be carved onto a rubber stamp, and then printed on a 100% Chinese silk scarf. For children in grades 6 and up. Registration is required and begins March 1. Call 434.286.3541.
Scottsville Library: Tues, Mar 19, 4pm
DIM SUM PARTY
Yum Cha, tea tasting, began on the ancient Silk Road in China for travelers needing a place to rest. Thus teahouses were established along the road. Later, food was added as a relaxing respite. Dim sum (literally meaning: touch the heart) was offered as a snack, not a main meal, and therefore only meant to touch the heart. This traditional dim sum will include a variety of dumplings, steamed buns and vegetables. Registration required and begins March 1. For children in grades 1 and up. Call 434.286.3541.
Gordon Avenue Library: Tues, Mar 19, 4pm
PANDA-MONIUM
Do you think it is always a Perfect Time for Pandas? Celebrate the Magic Tree House book and the lovable animals from China with crafts and activities. For grades 1 and up. Registration is required and begins March 5. Call 434.296.5544.
Northside Library: Thurs, Mar 28, 4pm
ACT IT OUT: CHINESE FOLKTALES
Bring your creativity and join in the fun as traditional Chinese folktales are read and then acted out. Character masks will be made and there will be snacks to enjoy. Registration is required and begins March 7. For children in grades 1 and up. Call 434.973.7893.

FILMS

Greene County Library: Fri, Mar 8, 7pm
DOUBLE HAPPINESS
Sandra Oh stars in this film about a Chinese-Canadian actress trying to balance her career dreams with her duty to her family. Refreshments will be served.
Gordon Avenue Library: Mon, Mar 11, 7pm
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Come watch the 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel, directed by Wayne Wang.
Gordon Avenue Library: Wed, Mar 20, 7pm
PAGE TO SCREEN: RAISE THE RED LANTERN
Based on a novel by Su Tong and directed by Zhang Yimou, this beautiful film follows the intrigues and power struggles between wives of a wealthy man in 1920s China.
Central Library: Thur, Mar 28, 7pm
DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES: JOURNEY OF THE BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER
This PBS documentary details the San Francisco Opera's production of The Bonesetter's Daughter, based on Amy Tan’s novel of the same name. Tan also wrote the libretto, which examines the generational effect of trauma.
Louisa County Library: Sat, Mar 30, 2pm
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Come watch the 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel, directed by Wayne Wang.

SPECIAL LECTURE

EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF IMMIGRATION, SEXISM & CULTURAL IDENTITY IN The Joy Luck Club
Tues, Mar 5, 6:30pm
Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Join UVA Faculty Lisa Speidel and Loren Intolubbe-Chmil for a discussion on the complexities of identity through the experiences and relationships of Chinese immigrant mothers and their American born daughters. An exploration of the tensions between communication and language, cultural tradition and confronting sexism, and the meaning and pressures of assimilation in America. This program is co-sponsored by the Women, Gender & Sexuality Program at the University of Virginia.

For questions or if you would like to participate in some way please contact: bigread@jmrl.org

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
THE BIG READ is supported by the Art and Jane Hess Fund of the Library Endowment