The Big Read January 30 – February 11, 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.
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Monday, Jan 30, 2012 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
Readers of all ages are encouraged to gather to discuss what makes “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” a classic, life along the Mississippi, the culture and norms of small-town life, and much more. An exhibit about rivers will be on display throughout the library during January and February.
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Wednesday, Feb 1, 2012 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Storytelling with Wendell Seavey
Location: Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard, ME 04612
Mark Twain was a master performer who traveled the country sharing his wisdom and wit with audiences. Join local storyteller Wendell Seavey in discussing the tradition of storytelling, Mark Twain’s unique gift. Hear local lore from Mount Desert Island’s own renowned storyteller.
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Thursday, Feb 2, 2012 7:00pm – 8:00pm
“What Will they Think of You” – Write Your Own Obituary
Location: Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” when Tom and Becky are lost in the cave everyone thinks the worst. What would be said at their funerals? When you are gone, how do you want people to remember you? Earl Brechlin, editor of the Mount Desert Islander newspaper, will lead the workshop. Come prepared to write!
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Friday, Feb 3, 2012 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Questions for Our Time: Racist Language and Stereotyping in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: College of the Atlantic, Gates Auditorium, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Today some of the characterizations and terms Mark Twain used in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” can touch feelings of pain and promote stereotypes. Participants in this program will explore how language changes over time, what we can learn from Twain’s characters about life and relationships at the time, and understand how important it is to recognize history for what it is and what it means to our lives today and in the future. Members of a panel moderated by Raney Bench, curator of education for the Abbe Museum, will address these and other issues and guide the discussion of this important topic. This program is a collaboration of the Acadia Senior College, Mount Desert Island Historical Society and the Abbe Museum.
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Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 10:00am – 11:00am
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Chase Emerson Memorial Library, 17 Main Street, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Good literature awakens the imagination. Come explore the unforgettable antics of Tom Sawyer in this timeless story. Celebrating childhood is often a theme attached to this classic. How does the childhood of today compare to Tom’s? What was happening in Deer Isle and Stonington at the time Mark Twain was writing “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer?” Come meet, greet and discuss these and other related topics at the library. Discussion facilitated by Candace Hall.
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Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 10:00am – 11:30am
Just for Kids
Location: Somesville Library, 1116 Main Street, Mount Desert, ME 04660
Mark Twain wrote stories for readers of all ages. Children’s program coordinator Jen Wales will introduce young readers to picture books depicting “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and the life of Mark Twain. The program will include book-related activities and a book giveaway.
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Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Twain’s Times: 19th 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.
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Sunday, Feb 5, 2012 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Comparative Look: Wabinaki and Plains Indians
Location: Abbe Museum, 26 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Take a tour through “Indians and Rusticators: Wabanaki and Summer Visitors to Mount Desert island 1840-1920″ with the Abbe’s curator of education, Raney Bench. During the tour, the discussion will focus on the relationship between native and non-native people during the era of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Compare and contrast prevailing attitudes of native people at the time, and their interactions with non-native visitors and community members, as told through this immersive exhibit experience.
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Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Virtual Book Discussion
Location: Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School Media Room, 249 North Deer Isle, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Young readers from Isle au Haut, Frenchboro, Swans Island and Islesford gather thanks to the wonders of modern technology for this book discussion facilitated by Raney Bench, curator of education for the Abbe Museum.
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Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 7:00pm – 8:30pm
“Mark Twain” by Ken Burns
Location: Opera House Arts, 1 Opera House Lane, Stonington, ME 04681
See how Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, rose from the backwoods of Missouri to become one of the most revered authors in America, in this documentary by award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns. This dynamic and engaging movie includes memorable quotes, pictures and commentary by such notables as Hal Holbrook, William Styron and Arthur Miller. A brief discussion will follow the film.
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Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME
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Wednesday, Feb 8, 2012 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Old-fashioned Game Night
Location: Southwest Harbor Public Library, 338 Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME
Families and friends are invited to an old-fashioned game night. Come play games that use no electricity, just like they did in the days of Tom Sawyer. Fun, fun and more fun!
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Friday, Feb 10, 2012 6:00pm – 7:30pm
A Closer Look at Injun Joe
Location: Abbe Museum, 26 Mount Desert, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Join Raney Bench, the Abbe Museum’s curator of education, for a discussion and deeper look into the characterization and stereotypes surrounding Injun Joe in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Explore why some of the less prominent stereotypes in the book have become contentious. Discuss the diverse portrayal of Native American people in the story, and where such notions of indian identity and character come from and why they remain to this day.
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Friday, Feb 10, 2012 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Film: Mark Twain by Ken Burns
Location: Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard, ME 04612
See how Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, rose from the backwoods of Missouri to become one of the most revered authors in America by award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns. This dynamic and engaging film includes memorable quotes, pictures and commentary by such notables as Hal Holbrook, William Styron and Arthur Miller. A brief discussion will follow the viewing of the film.
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Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 5:30pm – 8:00pm
The Big Read Maine Finale
Location: The Neighborhood House, 1 Kimball Road, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
In the spirit of America’s great author and humorist, Mark Twain, there will be some celebrating going on to conclude The Big Read 2012. So grab your partner and sashay back to the 1840s for a dinner and contra dance with the Big Moose contra band. Period dress is encouraged.
