Naperville unveils authors for Reads 2009 campaign

Naperville is taking a swing at encouraging residents to read with the help of two featured authors and an emphasis on sports.

The city's reading gurus have selected Dan Gutman and Gary W. Moore as the Naperville Reads 2009 authors. While there is no official theme for the program next year, both authors incorporate athletics into their work.

The Naperville Reads campaign began in 2002 to spark an interest in reading for residents of all ages. There will be author visits and a variety of other activities as part of the program.

"It's a great uniter across ages and experiences and backgrounds so we're hoping people will read and discuss," said Susan Greenwood, community relations coordinator for the Naperville Public Library.

The 2009 campaign will include Gutman's children's books series, "My Weird School," "My Weird School Daze" and "The Baseball Card Adventures."

Greenwood said Gutman, a popular children's author, is also known for being an exceptional speaker. He will visit with area students as well as give a public talk at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave.

From Moore, Naperville will be reading the nonfiction book "Playing with the Enemy," a story set in Illinois that chronicles the experiences of the author's father, Gene, who appeared to have a future as a baseball player with the Brooklyn Dodgers until he was called to duty in World War II. Gene ended up teaching the game to German sailors who he guarded while they were held captive.

Kathleen Pope, library media center director at Neuqua Valley High School, said Moore's book will bring World War II to life for readers and incorporates the theme of sports that is easy to relate to.

"We are a very sports-minded culture and ... it is an Illinois author telling a true story about his family and not only is it from a historical perspective but a sports perspective," Pope said. "We realized that's something people really would be interested in to discuss."

Moore's book is being made into a major motion picture going into production in April. He will appear in Naperville at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.

Naperville Reads is a partnership among Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville Public Library, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204. It is partially funded by a Special Events and Cultural Amenities grant from the city.

For more information about the program, visit napervillereads.org.