The Big Read January 19 – February 28, 2012
“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” – Mark Twain
Get on board The Big Read 2012 and join in the fun! There’s singing, dancing, art, storytelling, book discussing and readings – all designed to delight, intrigue, enlighten and incite exploration.
Libraries, schools, businesses and nonprofits across seven islands in Hancock County have come together for a monthlong extravaganza of fun to bring The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to life for an estimated 1,500 readers of all ages.
The Big Read is sure to inspire an excitement for reading and build community. Join us.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 10:30am – 11:30am
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Isle au Haut School, Isle au Haut, ME 04645
Community members are invited to join the students of the Isle au Haut Rural School in a discussion about “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Frenchboro School, Long Island, ME 04635
Students from the Frenchboro School will facilitate a community conversation about the themes and lessons in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. “ All are invited.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Tom Sawyer Read Aloud
Location: Main Street Variety and Garage Deli, 120 Main St. Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
As in the days when Mark Twain was writing, come enjoy a novel as it is read aloud by local community members, town officials and volunteers. This multigenerational read-aloud will continue our own journey through “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Warm yourself with a cup of coffee and enjoy the fellowship of sharing a good story with friends.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Fabulous Fences and Wise Words: Meet the Artists
Location: Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Rd., Bernard, ME 04612
Join friends and neighbors for food, drink, and music in celebration of the “Fabulous Fences and Wise Words” exhibit. Meet the artists and learn how “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” influenced their artwork on exhibition.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Islesford Library, Islesford, ME 04646
Good literature engages the imagination and transports us to places we have never been. Come examine the elements of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” that have made it a classic for readers of all ages.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 10:00am – 2:00pm
Tom Sawyer and Winterfest
Location: Deer Isle-Stonington High School Gymnasium, 251 S. Deer Isle Rd., Deer Isle, ME 04627
This traditional event is the perfect venue for sharing The Big Read and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” with readers of all ages. Volunteers from the Stonington Library, the Chase Emerson Memorial Library, and the Historical Society will present a display and activity on the games and toys of the 1840s. Books and schedules will be given out and children will try their luck in a fish pond filled with Twainisms and treasures.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 11:00am – 12:00pm
“Who’s ready for the cave?”
Location: Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Tom and Becky get separated from the picnic group and are lost in a cave. What would they have seen? Join Stuart West and Sonya Berger, Acadia National Park rangers, to hear about their experiences caving.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Twain’s Times: 19 Century Activities for Young and Old
Location: Swan’s Island Library, 451 Atlantic Rd., Swan’s Island , ME 04685
Join community members of all ages in a discussion of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” while quilting, writing and playing games. One of a five-part Saturday series; come for one or all sessions.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Southwest Harbor Public Library, 338 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Writer and teacher Candace Stover will facilitate a discussion of “The Adventure of Tom Sawyer”.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012 5:30pm – 7:00pm
A Walk Down Memory Lane: SWH in the 1800s
Location: Southwest Harbor Public Library, 338 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME 04612
Come join us for “A Walk Down Memory Lane: Southwest Harbor in the mid-to-late 1800s.” This visual program will feature a variety of historic photographs from the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s collection. Learn what the village of Southwest Harbor was like during the time that “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” took place, and in 1876 when the book was published.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 1:00pm – 2:30pm
School Day Reenactment
Location: Swans Island School, Swans Island, ME 04685
The school bell is ringing! Join Maudie March costumed as a school teacher, and experience a school day as Tom Sawyer and his classmates would have in 1840. She will arrive by ferry and walk to the schoolhouse or, perhaps, ride if it’s snowy. The class will proceed as it might have in 1840, complete with writing slates, slate pencils and McGuffey readers! Students will discuss Maine and U.S. history, and transportation and trade of the era. They may also have a lesson in “civility.” During recess children will be introduced to period toys and games. Customary dress is encouraged.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Somesville Library, 1116 Main Street, Mount Desert, ME 04660
Come for a discussion of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” while enjoying a view of beautiful Somes Cove. The library’s historic setting, next to the mill pond in the oldest village on Mount Desert Island, founded in 1761, conveys a feeling of bygone days like those described in Mark Twain’s early stories. Candace Stover will facilitate.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Tom Sawyer-Era Sing Along
Location: Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard, ME
Join Ruth Grierson, Charlie Richardson and friends for a Tom Sawyer-era sing-along of songs from the 1840s. Familiar tunes such as “Oh! Susanna” and “De Camptown Races” by Stephen Foster will take you back in time to life on the Mississippi before the Civil War. Come learn the songs that Becky and Tom would have sung. All are welcome.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
What makes “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” a classic? Why is Mark Twain considered a master storyteller? Join community members of all ages in conversation about these questions and many others at the Jesup Memorial Library. Bring your own thoughts and insights about this great American novel. Refreshments will be served.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 10:30am – 11:30pm
School Day Reenactment
Location: Mount Desert Island Historical Society, 36 Sound Drive, Mount Desert, ME 04660
The school bell is ringing! Join Maudie March costumed as a school teacher, and experience a school day as Tom Sawyer and his classmates would have in 1840, complete with writing slates, slate pencils and McGuffey readers! Students will discuss Maine and U.S. history, and transportation and trade of the era. They may also have a lesson in “civility.” During recess children will be introduced to period toys and games. Customary dress is encouraged.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 11:00am – 12:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Stonington Public Library, 64 Main St., Stonington, ME 04681
What makes “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” a classic? Why is Mark Twain considered a master storyteller? Join community members of all ages in conversation about these questions and many others at the Stonington library. Share your musings and observations about this great American classic.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Twain’s Times: 19th Century Activities for Young and Old
Location: Swans Island Library, 451 Atlantic Rd., Swans Island, ME 04685
Join community members of all ages in a discussion of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” while quilting, writing and playing games. One of a five-part Saturday series; come for one or all sessions.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Stories and Music with Jeff “Smokey” McKeen
Location: Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Jeff “Smokey” McKeen, a member of the traditional music group Old Grey Goose, will perform the music and tell the stories of Maine rivers. Selections will feature the Union River and a story about Mark Twain’s visit to Cherryfield, Maine. Rivers, a theme of The Big Read, are also the subject of a monthlong exhibition at the library.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
