Naperville READS celebrates author Katherine Applegate
Author Katherine Applegate's widely-praused "Wishtree" is the subject of this year's Naperville READS campaign, the annual citywide reading celebration.
Naperville READS celebrates the idea that reading opens new worlds and exposes ideas in our hearts and minds.
Applegate, a Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author, will be in Naperville at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, for an appearance at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at NapervilleReads.brownpapertickets.com.
Copies of the book also are available for purchase on the Brown Paper tickets website or at the door.
In addition to the centerpiece program on Jan. 29, nearly 4,000 children will get a chance to meet Applegate during her visit as Naperville Unit District 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and area private schools take part in targeted events.
Educators also are invited to an hourlong event with the author geared toward teachers at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Naperville Central. The event is free and open to all educators.
In recognition of the earnest wishes made in the selected Naperville READS book, a miniature "wishtree" is being installed at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Readers and community members alike are welcome to visit the tree and write wishes to be tied to its branches.
Also part of the Naperville READS celebration will be "Reading in the Window," which invites volunteers to take a turn reading in the front store window of Anderson's Bookshop. Sign up by calling (630) 355-2665.
Applegate's novel is about an oak tree and a crow who help their neighbors embrace their differences.
"Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories ..."
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. He also is the neighborhood wishtree - people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to his branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.
When a new family moves in, not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree is more important than ever. With a message of inclusion for dreamers and welcomers, this is a book for our lives and times.
Naperville READS 2019 is a partnership among Jumping Off the Page, Anderson's Bookshop, The Naperville Public Library, North Central College, District 203 and District 204. It is partially supported by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Past Naperville READS authors have included: Gary Paulsen, Pete Hamill, Jerry Spinelli, Kevin Henkes, Tracy Chevalier, Yann Martel, Rebecca Skloot, Katherine Hannigan, Kate DiCamillo, Joseph Bruchac, Lisa See, Brian Selznick, Daniel Pink, Chris Grabenstein, Margaret Peterson Haddix, James R. Hannibal, Dick Lehr, Beth McMullen and Wendelin Van Draaen.
For details, visit www.andersonsbookshop.com.