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Schaumburg kicks off One Book, One Community

Everyone is invited to participate in One Book, One Community, a township-wide experience based on books and accentuated with exhibits, programs, author visits and special events.

Beginning Saturday, Jan. 4, the library will offer a variety of activities and discussions based on "Pachinko" by National Book Award Finalist Min Jin Lee, as well as the picture book, "Dear Juno," by Soyung Pak, and the middle school novel "Listen, Slowly," by Thanhha Lai.

These titles were chosen to encourage discussions about families, immigrants, survival and identity, and are available for checkout from all three library locations in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park.

"The beauty of this community reading experience is that all ages have books geared toward their age level, so everyone can join the discussions," said Annie Miskewitch, the library's executive director.

"And though the books tell different stories, they all explore central, identifiable themes that stimulate thought and conversation. We're excited to offer a wide variety of events based on these compelling stories that offer fresh perspectives on the immigrant experience, while tackling relatable, everyday issues."

The library will kick off the new year and One Book, One Community with an all-ages carnival from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at the central library in Schaumburg, 130 S. Roselle Road.

Free copies of "Pachinko," "Dear Juno" and "Listen, Slowly" will be given away, while supplies last. Activities will include crafts from 1-3 p.m., carnival games from 1-3 p.m., Little Ol' Korea Choir and Dance performance at 1:15 p.m., and story times at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. No fee or registration is required for participating in the carnival.

In addition to the carnival, the library will unveil an art exhibit Jan. 4 that will continue through Feb. 20.

"Exploring Korea through Korean Stamps" will allow visitors to discover Korean arts, culture, politics, sports and U.S.-Korea relations, all showcased through stamps issued from 1884 to present.

And that's just the beginning. Throughout January and February, the library will host visits by all three authors and offer art programs, book discussions, crafts and food demonstrations and tastings.

In "Pachinko," set in the 1900s, teenage Sunja is the adored daughter of a crippled Korean fisherman and falls for a wealthy stranger. When she discovers she is pregnant and her lover is married, she accepts an offer of marriage from a sickly minister passing through Korea on his way to Japan. Her decision to abandon her home and reject her son's powerful father sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations.

For students ages 8 to 12, the library is featuring Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year "Listen, Slowly." In this story, California-born Mai, can't wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War.

In "Dear Juno," geared toward ages 3 to 7, children meet a young Korean-American boy who exchanges letters with his grandmother in Korea. Grandma doesn't write in English, and Juno can't write in Korean, so they communicate with photos and drawings. "Dear Juno" is the recipient of the Ezra Jack Ketas award.

A limited number of the One Book, One Community books will be given away during the Jan. 4 carnival. For details on programs related to this reading experience, see the December-January Guide or go to SchaumburgLibrary.org.

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