Suburban Mosaic: How one regional reading program promotes empathy and understanding

This article has been updated with Beth Klein's correct title with the Prospect Heights Public Library District. She is the Youth Programming Librarian.

It has been 15 years since Mount Prospect resident John Brennan approached the director of his public library with the idea of starting a community reading program designed around books that promoted diversity and social justice.

Marilyn Genther, executive director of the Mount Prospect Public Library, immediately embraced the concept and threw support behind it, advancing it through her network of library contacts.

"I loved the focus on understanding cultural differences through the books and discussions," Genther says. "And I liked the fact that his program was regional - and for all ages."

From there, the Suburban Mosaic community reading program took flight. This year, its list of participating schools and libraries covers nearly all of Northwest suburban Cook County and parts of Lake County.

The six selected readings include: "Red: A Crayon's Story" by Michael Hall, for preschool through kindergarten students; "A Piece of Home" by Jeri Watts, for first- and second-graders; and "Book Uncle and Me" by Uma Krishnaswami, for third- through fifth-graders.

Young adult readers are enjoying "Refugee" by Alan Gratz, while the high school selection is "All That We Have Left" by Wendy Mills. The adult title, "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson, is a true story about a wrongly imprisoned man and the redemptive power of mercy.

Brennan says there was never any requirement or charge to participate. He and his committee members merely selected books and promoted them, and hoped they would advance discussion.

"I got the idea from the One Book, One Chicago in the city," Brennan says, "but I never thought the program would continue for 15 years. It's just been a lifelong passion of mine."

He credits Jenny Hale, graphics designer at Elk Grove Village Public Village Public Library, with designing the program's flyer each year, as well as Chris Amling of Mount Prospect Public Library with maintaining its website, suburbanmosaicbooks.org.

But it is the librarians, he says, at both the public and school libraries, who are championing the program and promoting its ideals.

Take Adelaide Rowe, head of Youth Services at Elk Grove Village Public Library. She has served on the book selection committee nearly since the beginning and now created a collection in her library of all the books over the 15 years.

"Our patrons know that our Suburban Mosaic collection is one area where they can find books - from preschool through adult - which promote empathy and understanding on various topics," Rowe says.

Looking over the collection, she sees topics that range from immigration, racism and religious freedom, to mental health, sexual identity and social justice, to name just a few.

"Each of the topics is presented in not only an age-appropriate way," she adds, "but hopefully in an interesting and often entertaining way as well."

Beth Klein, who is the Youth Programming Librarian at the Prospect Heights Public Library, knows why librarians play such a big role in the reading program.

"These are books we've vetted," says Klein, who sits on the selection committee. "Teachers are so busy with their curriculum, that they turn to us for suggestions that are the cream of the crop. The program allows us to make sure these books on important topics are accessible."

Klein adds that she joined the committee when she was a young librarian and that by promoting the program and its books over the last 12 years, she has internalized its mission.

"These are things I really care about," Klein adds. "I'm all in."

Another longtime supporter is Gail Komarek, director of the Library Media Center at Windsor School in Arlington Heights. She represents all six schools in Arlington Heights Elementary School District 25 on the committee and she promotes the program from within.

In reflecting on the program's success, Komarek points to this year's middle school selection: "Refugee," which tells the stories of three children seeking refuge during different time periods.

"I can't keep it on the shelves," she says. "It's always checked out."