'March' to the Library for a Month of Reading Events

The buttons are being polished on the uniforms of the Memorial Guardsmen, children are warming up their voices to sing in their best notes and many North Reading residents are rehearsing touching poems about a war in which 10 percent of the town’s population fought 150 years ago.  

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the eighth annual North Reading Reads townwide reading program at the will feature the book March as well as several war-era events.

Events surrounding North Reading Reads begin today with a showing of the movie Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott's book of the same title, at 1:30 p.m. in the Library Activity Room.

Flint Memorial Library Director Helena Minton said the entire library staff has worked tirelessly to prepare the library for this year’s book discussion and the events surrounding it. The anniversary of the war also holds special significance for the town, as 137 of North Reading’s nearly 1,000 residents fought in the Civil War, Minton said.

This year’s book selection is March, the 2006 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Geraldine Brooks. A historical novel of part fact and part fiction, the story takes place in the Civil War era and is described by the library as “riveting and elegant.”

Minton said the library staff chose this book, a spin-off of Little Women, not only because of its connection to the Civil War and the 150-year celebration, but also because “it brings people of all ages together.”

Assistant Director Judi Segur said the title appeals to a wide variety of readers. She said along with reading the book, she also listened to it on CD.

“I was taken by the story,” said Segur. “It’s a real human-interest story.”

The book also gives the library plenty of opportunity to present a variety of programming, Segur said.

“We make a conscious effort to appeal to different members of the community when choosing a book, and this story lends itself well to programming such as the arts and video,” said Segur.

Part of that programming will include the fourth and fifth grade chorus from the , which will perform five Civil War songs selected by Minton and also read two poems on March 31 at 7 p.m. 

Hood School Music Director Ruth Clark will serve as their accompanist. Clark said she was glad to receive the invitation from the library and already had four of the five songs in her music books.

Two of the songs the chorus is practicing are historic and popular writings of North Reading native and composer George F. Root. One of the most successful American composers of the 19th century, Root wrote 20 songs about the Civil War, which are still celebrated today. "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” and “Battle Cry of Freedom” are two of his best-known tunes, both of which the Hood School chorus will sing.

Root’s family moved to Willow Farm in North Reading when he was 6 years old. Minton said she believes his family lived in what is modern day Eisenhaure Estates. Root moved to Boston at age 18 to further study music, and after touring and studying in Europe, he returned to Boston to teach and write music.

Root is buried at the on Chestnut Street in North Reading. 

Minton spoke highly about past years’ reading events and said the program is growing in popularity every year.

“We have been doing it longer than any other library,” said Minton.

All events will take place in the Library Activity Room. For more information about North Reading Reads 2011, visit the library’s website.