Andover Reads 2012!

As part of Andover’s second community-wide reading program, Memorial Hall Library invites residents to read and to discuss The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a
girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish
fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s
groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

From the Hardcover edition. Copyright ©2005-2012 Random House, Inc. Reprinted with permission from Random House, Inc.

The Book Thief, 2007 Printz Honor book and 2006 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, was selected because it will appeal to a variety of readers and will provide many opportunities for exploration of topics relating to the World War II era, the Holocaust, the power of words and books, and dealing with disasters.

Andover Reads is an opportunity for the community to gather together and to discuss great literature. In 2012, let’s find out what would happen if Andover Reads the same book.  Join the discussion!

Throughout Andover Reads, the community will be encouraged to participate in book discussion sessions and to attend special events.  Memorial Hall Library has many copies of The Book Thief available to borrow.  Book discussion sessions will occur at Memorial Hall Library on April 3 at 7:30 pm, April 12 at 12:30 pm (bring a bag lunch), April 12 at 7:30 pm, April 21 at 1 pm (bring a bag lunch), April 27 at 10 am, May 2 at 10 am, and May 7 at 11 am.  Discussions will also be held at Atria Marland Place (with breakfast, RSVP 978-475-4225) on April 12 at 8 am, the Andover Senior Center on April 23 at 1:30 pm, and Temple Emanuel on April 26 at 7 pm. 

Kick-off Andover Reads with a USO-themed evening of after-hours fun at Memorial Hall Library.  “USO Night” on Saturday, March 31 from 6:00-9:00 pm, Suggested donation: $10 per family. Dress in your favorite 1940s-era costume, or wear your red, white, and blue!  Join us for an uplifting evening of World War II era hit music and patriotic favorites performed by the USO Liberty Bells.  The USO Liberty Bells are part of an American tradition that goes back almost 70 years to muddy camp shows in the South Pacific.  Today, the troupe consists of professional Broadway and off-Broadway performers who have appeared in Les Miserables, Hairspray, The Sound of Music, and Cirque de Soleil.  Enjoy performances at 6:30 pm, 7:15 pm, and 8:00 pm.

Families will enjoy a performance of The Ugly Duckling at 6:30 pm. The Fairy Tale Players will present Hans Christian Anderson’s story of a homely bird who sees he’s different from the rest of his family.  He meets other colorful characters who try to teach him their habits.  To his delight and surprise, he matures into a beautiful swan.  All are welcome.

Don’t miss raffles by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library.  Buy your tickets, and enter to win a Kindle or other prize basket.  Drawings will be held at 8:45 pm.  Prizes donated by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library, Ironstone Farm, The Chateau, Mootone Restaurant, Orange Leaf,
Andover Liquors, Dentistry by Design, Dr. Kathleen Chan & Dr. Ivy Chen
Orthodontics, Dominos Pizza, the Addison Gallery of American Art, Elizabeth Grady, Andover Gulf, J. Christopher Haircutters, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods Market Andover, the Addison Gallery of American Art, and Wine Sense.

Play Book Bingo, and you might win a book!  Check out the Library for other activities and new changes.  Refreshments will be served, and regular library services will be available. 

There’s something for everyone during Andover Reads!  The full schedule of events is available at www.mhl.org/andoverreads2012. A summary of Andover Reads events is as follows:

• “Preserving Your Family Photos” on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 pm - Learn tips and techniques for preserving, saving, and digitizing your photographs. Presented by Monique Fischer from the New England Document Conservation Center.  Please register at www.mhl.org/eventcalendar or call 978-623-8401, x31.
• “Relics of World War II” on Saturday, April 7, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Andover Historical Society - This free one-day exhibit features photos, memorabilia, and propaganda of the World War II era as well as a small collection of WWII era objects and archival materials that demonstrate Andover's involvement on the home front and abroad. Most striking, a gas mask along with many photos will reveal the reality of warfare. 
• “Know Your Community: Andover Patch” on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 pm - How do you stay connected with your community during a crisis? You can use Andover Patch to get the latest emergency updates if you have Internet access at home, on your smart phone, or at the library. Help your neighbors by submitting tips, events, and reviews. 
• "German Culture: Past and Present” on Wednesdays, April 11, 18, 25, and May 2 from 9:30-11:00 am, Andover Senior Center.  $12. Register at the Andover Senior Center. - Explore this unique country, its people, and its culture in relaxed sharing sessions. German-themed lunch on May 2 (cost $2.50/$4 under 60). Taught by Lynda Isaacs, long-time German teacher.
• Library Snapshot Day—Be Counted! On Thursday, April 12 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm - Liesel Meminger didn’t have a library to visit for books or to learn about her world.  You do! Visit Memorial Hall Library for Snapshot Day when libraries across the nation provide a snapshot of what happens in the life of libraries. 
• “Disasters: Prepare for the Unexpected” on Saturday, April 14 at 11:00 am. Emergency Response Vehicle from 10:00 am-1:00 pm, library parking lot - Learn the vital information you need to help your family prevent, prepare for, and cope with emergencies.  Presented by the American Red Cross.
• “Accordion Sing Along with Mel Simons” on Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 pm - Mel Simons will entertain us with his repertoire from yesteryear, featuring hits from the golden days of radio and classics from the big band era and the early days of television.
• “Creative Crafting: Books Repurposed” on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 pm - Lee Dixon demonstrates how to memorialize book treasures from our past in a creative and useful repurpose project--unique purses made from books with elaborately decorated covers.  Please
  register at www.mhl.org/eventcalendar or call 978-623-8401, x31.
• “Life on the German Home Front” on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 pm - As Germany waged total war throughout Europe, its civilian population waged its own struggle against shortages, allied bombing, and the threat of domestic persecution.  Dan Breen, Assistant Professor of History,
  Newbury College, will assess conditions in Germany during the Second World War as life grew progressively perilous and defeat loomed ever closer.
• “Exploring Color in Art and Literature” on Wednesday, April 25 at 5:30 pm, Addison Gallery of American Art - Color and color names provide metaphor, symbolism, and foreshadowing throughout The Book Thief and are used to describe towns, cities, and people. Explore and discuss works of art that use color in interesting and exciting ways. Please register at www.mhl.org/eventcalendar or call 978-623-8401, x31.
• Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale: Preview: Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30-8:30 pm, $20 or free for members; Friday, April 27 from 9:00 am-4:30 pm; Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 am-4:30 pm; Sunday, April
  29 from 1:00-4:30 pm.
• German Food Tasting on Thursday, May 3 from 5:00–7:00 pm, Atria Marland Place. Please RSVP: 978-475-4225
• Community Shredding Day on Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am-noon (or until full), Library parking lot - Protect your identity.  Safely
  shred your confidential documents, and help prevent identity theft.  Bring a bag or a whole carful of old papers to shred.  Event runs rain or shine.
• Zero Waste Day on Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am-noon, Brickstone Square, lower parking lot - Donate your used items that are clean and in working condition. Visit andoverma.gov/zerowaste for a list of accepted donations. The event is open to residents and non-residents of Andover and takes place rain or shine.
• “Knitting on the Home Front” on Sunday, May 6 from 1:00-4:00 pm - During World War II American women helped the war effort by knitting vests, scarves, hats, and other items for the soldiers overseas.  Join in a modern knitting day to benefit a local charity. Bring your finished donations or bring a project to work on to donate.  Hats, gloves, and scarves for all ages are welcome. 
• “A Survivor’s Story: Janet Applefield” on Monday, May 7 at 7:00 pm - Janet Applefield is a child survivor of the Holocaust.  Her parents made the difficult decision to give her away after the German invasion of
  Poland, hoping to protect their daughter from Nazi persecution.  Janet lived in hiding for the next five years, cared for by multiple people.  When the war ended, she was living in an orphanage and was eventually reunited with her father, the only other survivor.  Janet and her father came to America in 1947.  Hear Janet’s remarkable personal story of strength against great odds. Sponsored by Temple Emanuel.

Teen Events (Grades 6-12)

• Movie Night: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas on
  Tuesday, April 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Grades 6-12 - Based on the best-selling novel by John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the tale of curious 8 year-old Bruno who discovers an unusual fence, behind which is a boy strangely dressed in “black-and-white pajamas.” Bruno embarks in a most unusual friendship with the boy, one that proves both ordinary and remarkable, both inspiring and tragic.  Rated PG-13.
• Movie Night: Paper Clips on Tuesday, April 17 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Grades 6-12 - As a part of their study of the Holocaust, the children of the Whitwell, TN Middle School try to collect 6 million paper clips representing the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis. Rated G.
• Teen book discussions of The Book Thief on Friday, April 20 from 12:00-12:30 pm with pizza and soda and Tuesday, April 24 from 3:30-4:00 pm with cookies and soda.
• Children’s Events - Space is limited so please register at least one
  week prior to each session.  Visit www.mhl.org/eventcalendar to register.  
• 
  “Popcorn Poets” on Tuesday, April 3 at 3:45 pm, Ages 8-11 - Through listening to and writing, focus on poetry that speaks to us about books and the difference they make in our lives. 
• “Molly’s World:  Growing Up an American Girl” on Saturday,
  April 7, 10:00 am, Ages 8 and up or Friday, April 20, 10:00 am, Ages 8 and up - See what it was like to be a kid during that the 1940s, including what a child experienced on the home front during World War II.
• “Kids Create” on Tuesday, April 17, 2:30 pm, Ages 8-11 - We will focus on scrapbooks and the importance of keeping them.  Children
  will create their own simple scrapbooks to take home. 
• “Time Trekkers” on Thursday, April 19, 2:00 pm, Ages 8-11 - Travel back in time to World War II Europe.  Find out how spies shared information using codes and secret messages. 
• “If You Give a Kid a Book” on Wednesday, April 25, 3:45 pm or Saturday, May 5, 10:00 am, Ages 3-10 with adult - This book-themed storytime includes stories about caring for books, a bookmark craft, and a game of Book Bingo where the prize is a book! 
• “Night Readers” on Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 pm, Ages 8-12 with adult - Discussing the book Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev.  
• Throughout Andover Reads, Memorial Hall Library invites you to help others through food drives and a backpack collection.
• Bundles of Backpacks (April 2-May 7) - Liesel Meminger was a foster child who had to steal to  get books.  Help other foster children enjoy the love of reading with donations of backpacks to benefit the Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley.  The Friends of Memorial Hall Library will fill the backpacks with books.  Please bring donations of NEW backpacks for
  children and teens to the Ground Floor of Memorial Hall Library. 

Rations for Good (April 2-May 7)

During World War II, food, gasoline, and other supplies were rationed by the government because things were in short supply.  In everyday life, not just during a crisis, people are not getting their fair share of food and
supplies.  Throughout Andover Reads, you’re invited to create your own ration by donating food to help others.

Requested donations: Non-perishable, not expired, healthy foods (low sodium, unsweetened) preferred.  Canned beans, soups/stews, low sodium canned vegetables, unsweetened canned fruits, peanut butter, canned chicken/tuna, healthy cereals, spaghetti sauce with meat, pasta, rice, and boxed milk.  Neighbors in Need also collects infant diapers and baby wipes.  For more information, visit http://needfood.org.

Food Ration Collection Locations:

• Memorial Hall Library, Ground Floor - collection to benefit Neighbors in Need 
• Andover Senior Center - collection to benefit Neighbors in Need
• Atria Marland Place - collection to benefit Veterans Food Pantry

Andover Reads is generously sponsored by the Friends of Memorial Hall Library, the Memorial Hall Library Board of Trustees, the Andover Cultural Council, Temple Emanuel, Springhill Suites, and Enterprise Bank.  Memorial Hall Library wishes to thank the following Andover Reads program partners:  Addison Gallery of American Art, American Red Cross Eastern Massachusetts, Andover Bookstore, Andover Historical Society, Andover Patch, Andover Public Schools, Andover Recycling Committee, Andover Senior Center, Atria Marland Place, Facing History and Ourselves, Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley, Mark Spencer, Neighbors in Need, ProShred® Springfield, Temple Emanuel, Town of Andover, Veterans Food Pantry, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Massachusetts Library System, Massachusetts Library Association, and the Massachusetts School Library Association.

For complete Andover Reads information, including program locations and times, visit www.mhl.org/andoverreads2012, or call 978-623-8401, ext. 31 or 32.  Unless otherwise noted, programs will be held at Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main St., Andover, MA.