February 27 – April 14, 2017
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
In celebration of the 115th anniversary of John Steinbeck’s birth, the University of Central Florida and Seminole County Public Library will host a series of events around his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. Winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, John Steinbeck (1902-1968) wrote twenty-seven books that explore themes such as fate, poverty, and injustice.
Activities, including book clubs, art exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, food drives, theatrical performances, and game jams will take place February 27-April 14, 2017.
Events
- Big Read Kick-Off
- Opening Reception “’In the Eyes of the Hungry’: Florida’s Changing Landscape”
- Lecture “Environmental Concerns and the Little Econ”
- Artist Talk: Cesar Cornejo
- Lecture and Book Signing: Dale Slongwhite, Fed Up: The High Costs of Cheap Food
- Lecture and Book Signing Cindy Hahamovitch, “The Fruits of Their Labor”
- Key Note Lecture: Susan Shillinglaw, “The Legacy of Steinbeck”
Book Clubs
Seminole County Public Librarybook clubs will read The Grapes of Wrath beginning in February and host discussions.
Food For Thought Teen Book Clubs
Seminole County Public Library is challenging teens to read a young adult fiction book with the theme of poverty, hunger, or homelessness. The Friends of the Library are donating funds to the SCPS Families in Need, as the teens meet the challenge. At Level One, a teen who reads a novel, and participates in one of the Food for Thoughts Teen Book Clubs will raise a $10 donation; at Level Two, a teen who reads and participates in the book club, and in addition to that, brings and shares an original creative piece (poetry, prose, visual art or video) will raise a $15 donation.