New Rochelle Kicks Off Citywide Reading Program

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle kicked off its Community Reads program with two award-winning authors discussing their works and signing copies of their books. All on the Same Page, a citywide program sponsored by My Brother’s Keeper New Rochelle in conjunction with the New Rochelle Public Library and the City School District of New Rochelle, is to encourage community organizations and residents of New Rochelle — from young children to older adults — to read and discuss books around a common theme.

Authors Jeff Hobbs and Ilyasah Shabazz talked about how their books addressed the program’s first theme of “Own Your Greatness.”

Hobbs is the New York Times best-selling author of “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.” Shabazz is the daughter of Malcolm X and the co-author, with Kekla Magoon, of "X, A Novel."

“We are thrilled with how the two authors, Ilyasah Shabazz and Jeff Hobbs, talked about the need for individuals to own their power and still be held accountable,” says Reggie Richardson, Principal of New Rochelle High School and co-chair of MBKNewRo.

“This event marked a great beginning to an exciting citywide effort to get residents excited about reading,” says Councilman Jared Rice, co-chair of MBKNewRo. “We want to see schools, community partners and neighborhoods reading books together, and we hope this program provides the impetus for that outcome,” he adds.

The Community Reads program will feature four books centered on a theme three times a year. Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to read, enjoy and discuss selected books at the same time. The first theme, “Own Your Greatness,” will be explored in these titles geared for four reading levels:

• “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League,” by Jeff Hobbs (suitable for high school students and adults);
• “X: A Novel,” by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon, (suitable for middle school and older students/adults);
• “Trombone Shorty,” by Troy Andrews (suitable for students in grades 3 to 5);
• “Last Stop on Market Street,” by Matt de la Pena (suitable for children in grades Pre-K to 2).

All four books are available at deeply discounted prices through the Friends of the Library Book Store in the lobby of the New Rochelle Public Library. The Book Store is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To purchase multiple copies, please contact Barbara Davis at 914-632-8254. Residents can also borrow print, audio and electronic versions of the books using their library card.

Photo caption: From left, Reggie Richardson, Ilyasah Shabazz and Jeff Hobbs. Photo credit: Submitted.