Community Corner
The Underdogs by Melissa Fay Greene Selected for 12th Annual Roswell Reads
Roswell Reads promotes the value of reading, literacy, and lifelong learning through the community-wide experience of reading a common book.
ROSWELL – The Underdogs: Children, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love, a heartwarming story of several families whose lives are impacted dramatically by highly-trained service dogs, has been announced as the 2017 Roswell Reads book selection. Author Melissa Fay Greene will speak at a Literary Luncheon on Saturday, March 18, 2017, marking the 12th annual Roswell Reads event, where people throughout the city read and learn together.
The Underdogs features dogs trained by 4 Paws for Ability and placed with children isolated by disability, illness or calamity, including a family from Roswell. These poignant stories are woven amidst thoughtful discussions of how the human understanding of dogs has evolved over the years. The Underdogs is an expansion of “Wonder Dog,” Melissa’s New York Times Magazine feature article that went viral, becoming one of the most emailed and searched-for Times articles in 2012.
The book is available for checkout at the Roswell and East Roswell Libraries and in OverDrive® format through the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System website http://www.afpls.org. Books are for sale as e-books and at the Friends of the Roswell Library Book Store and will be on sale at the Literary Luncheon where the author will sign them.
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Roswell Reads promotes the value of reading, literacy, and lifelong learning through the shared community-wide experience of reading and discussing a common book. The Roswell Reads committee selects the book, and, working with the Roswell Library, Friends of the Roswell and East Roswell libraries, and the City of Roswell, develops community-wide programs, including book discussions, community outreach and education, children's programs and writing workshops, all centered around the theme of service dogs.
Registration for all programs is at www.eventbrite.com, search word “Roswell Reads” or email roswellreads@gmail.com. For details, go to www.roswellreads.com. All programs are open to the public at no charge, with the exception of the Literary Luncheon, which is $20/person.
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Community Programs
The Literary Luncheon
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m.
Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell, 770-641-3950
Author Melissa Fay Greene will discuss her personal and professional life experiences, which led her to
research and write this compelling story.
Writing Workshop
The Art of Nonfiction with Melissa Fay Greene
Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Room 220
The author will share the great pleasures to be found in crafting sentences, metaphors and stories
Happy Tails Happy Hour
Thursday, March 16, 2017, 5 p.m.
Lucky’s Burgers and Brew
1144 Alpharetta Street, Roswell, 770-518-5695
Learn how you and your pet can become part of Happy Tails, volunteering to provide a positive, rewarding experience for people in 125 facilities in Atlanta.
Children’s Programs
The complementary Roswell Reads children’s book selection is My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky, recommended for grades K-5. My Buddy is a story about a service dog, Buddy, and his young owner who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair. They meet at a special camp that matches children with service dogs where they can learn to trust and listen to each other. My Buddy is available for checkout through the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.
Meet Me and My “Buddy”
Saturday, March 4, 2017, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, Children’s Department
Come meet a student and his/her service dog. Learn how they got their dog, how the dog was trained, and how it has made a difference in their lives.
Happy Tails/READing Paws: Come and Read to a Dog!
Saturday, March 4, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, Children’s Department
Saturday, March 11, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Reading with Bentley
Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. Reading with Colby
East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, Storytime Room
Children’s practice reading in a nonjudgmental atmosphere to registered therapy animals and their owner/handler. Registration is at the library.
Book Discussions
Area book clubs are encouraged to add The Underdogs to their list. Roswell Reads has arranged for several locally facilitated book discussions. Individuals and clubs are welcome.
Noonday Nosh Book Club
Tuesday, February 21, 2017, 12 Noon
Roswell Library
115 Norcross Street, Roswell
For information, call 770-640-3075.
East Roswell Wine and Cheese Book Discussion
Monday, March 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
The Arts Center on Fouts Road
9100 Fouts Road, Roswell
Enjoy wine and cheese and a lively book discussion while surrounded by beautiful art. The book discussion will be led by Debbie Weiss, founder of the Women’s Book Reviews website.
West Roswell Book Discussion
Monday, March 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Wildwood Springs Clubhouse
11755 Wildwood Springs Drive, Roswell
Join a lively neighborhood book discussion facilitated by retired high school English teacher Nancy Gore.
Funding for Roswell Reads is provided by the City of Roswell and the Friends of the Roswell Library with a grant from the Rotary Club of Roswell.
