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Read the Same Book - Boise Public Library
The Big Read & Kids Read the Same Book

The Big Read and Kids Read the Same Book are "one book" programs, created to encourage reading by inviting communities to come together to discuss one book.  In the Kids Read the Same Book project, several age-specific titles are selected so that each age group has a relevant book to enjoy.

2009 The Big Read (Adults)

This year's title is The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett. The Big Read Boise (and beyond) is presented in partnership with Ada Community Library, Boise Public Library, The Cabin, and the Idaho Statesman under a grant for The Big Read, a national initiative from the National Endowment of the Arts. 

Our community will celebrate The Maltese Falcon with a full calendar of events including film screenings, keynote speakers, a Falcon Day at the World Center for Birds of Prey, a Falcon Tavern speak-easy, and family mystery fun, featuring Chet Gecko. Book discussions will take place in libraries across the state. 

  Big Read Events at Boise Public Library

Crime Comics & Pulp Fiction on Display:  14-day display of unique genre materials.
  Sunday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 14 - Main Library
CSI Boise—Forensics and the Ada County Sheriff Dept: Ada County detectives present information on local cases and crime scene processes.
  Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. - Library! at Hillcrest
Chet Gecko, Private Eye: Family mystery fun with various activities, a brief reading from The Malted Falcon: from the tattered casebook of Chet Gecko, private eye, by Bruce Hale; and, of course, a visit from Chet Gecko himself.
  Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. - Library! at Collister
  Saturday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m - Main Library
Thirty Years on Hammett's Mean Streets: A presentation by Don Herron on Hammett and the setting of The Maltese Falcon.
  Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. - Main Library
Book Discussions: The Maltese Falcon
  Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. - Library! at Collister
  Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. - Library! at Hillcrest
  Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. - Main Library
   

2009 Kids Read the Same Book

Calling all kids!  Kids and teens are invited to read one of these FIVE books and to participate in book discussions, activities, and events at local public libraries.  Kids Read the Same Book is coordinated by local public libraries and educators.

Check out this year's award-winning titles:

Book jackets for Kids Read the Same Book titles

Senior High: Airborn,  by Kenneth Oppel
Junior High: Sleeping Freshman Never Lie, by David Lubar
Older Elementary: Peter and the Starcatchers,
by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Early Elementary: Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole,
by Wong Herbert Yee
Picture Books: The Great Fuzz Frenzy,
by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
   

2009 Brochure     Previous Years' Titles     History 

Visit the Kids Read the Same Book website

History of "Read the Same Book"

Communities across the U.S. have discovered that choosing a book to read as a city brings together friends and strangers to discuss good literature and provocative ideas. Idaho Statesman writer Dan Popkey introduced the concept to Boise in late 2000, modeled after Seattle's citywide reading initiative.

Boise began its program in 2001 with the book Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson. In subsequent years, children's titles were added to the program, so that the whole family could participate. 

Books are chosen by a committee that includes representatives from local libraries, plus educators, writers and readers of all ages.  The committee chooses a book based on literary merit and relevance to local readers.

As you and your family read a book, we encourage you to talk about it with friends and neighbors, and to attend related programs in the community.  We hope you'll find it an avenue for exploring new ideas and making new reading friends. 

 

Last Updated: 11/13/2009

 
 
 
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