All Big Read Events
An Evening with Maury Yeston and William Whitener
Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Two-time Tony Award-winning composer Maury Yeston performs at the piano and discusses his latest work, Tom Sawyer – A Ballet in Three Acts, commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
The Glorious Whitewashers: A Community Fence-Painting Event
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
Community Garden, 51st and Main
Families will get a chance to whitewash a Community Garden fence. Before the whitewashing, the Coterie Theatre presents a dramatic reading from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Kaite Stover.
Story Time
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Waldo Branch, 201 E. 75th St.
A specially crafted story time that will introduce kids to Mark Twain and some of Tom Sawyer’s classic childhood exploits. For children 3-5 years old. Story Time Leader: Donna Newell.
Story Time
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Trails West Branch, 11401 E. 23rd St.
A specially crafted story time that will introduce kids to Mark Twain and some of Tom Sawyer’s classic childhood exploits. For children 3-5 years old. Story Time Leader: Ron Freeman.
Story Time
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 5 p.m.
Sugar Creek Branch, 102 S. Sterling
A specially crafted story time that will introduce kids to Mark Twain and some of Tom Sawyer’s classic childhood exploits. For children 3-5 years old. Story Time Leader: Megan Garrett.
Story Time
Friday, September 16, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
A specially crafted story time that will introduce kids to Mark Twain and some of Tom Sawyer’s classic childhood exploits. For children 3-5 years old. Story Time Leader: April Roy.
Story Time
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.
Ruiz Branch, 2017 W. Pennway
A specially crafted story time that will introduce kids to Mark Twain and some of Tom Sawyer’s classic childhood exploits. For children 3-5 years old. Story Time Leader: Emily Iorg.
Thomas Hart Benton on Tom Sawyer: Re-envisioning Twain in the 20th Century
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 2 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Art historian and exhibit curator Joan Stack discusses how Thomas Hart Benton responded to the challenge of illustrating this classic Twain novel.
The Big Read Dial-A-Story
September 19 – 25, 2011
Call 816.701.3456 to listen to Kansas City Star columnist Charles Gusewelle reading from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Where the Twain Meet: The Enduring Cross-Generational Appeal of Tom Sawyer
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
Twain scholar Robert Hirst, editor of the bestselling Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1, provides a critical perspective on the novel.
Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Noon
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Kaite Stover.
Book Discussion Group
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11 a.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Kaite Stover.
Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 6 p.m.
Waldo Branch, 201 E. 75th St.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Alicia Ahlvers.
Read It / Watch It Discussion Group: Tom Sawyer (1973)
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 2:00pm
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
Join Big Read discussion facilitator Kaite Stover for a lively conversation comparing the written word to its dramatic interpretation after this screening of Tom Sawyer (1973).
Book Discussion Group
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 2 p.m.
North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Rd.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Angela Carroll.
Susan Harris: Mark Twain and the Philippines
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Susan Harris, the Hall Distinguished Professor of American Literature at the University of Kansas, examines the rarely seen political side of Twain, who was actively interested in world events – and deeply patriotic.
Friday Night Family Fun: The Games of Tom Sawyer
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
Enjoy a night of interactive games – such as spoon races, hoop rolling, and juggling.
FYI Book Group: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
The Kansas City Star’s FYI Book Group – coordinated by the Kansas City Public Library’s book group expert Kaite Stover – returns to tackle The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Book Discussion Group
Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 2 p.m.
Trails West Branch, 11401 E. 23rd St.
No RSVP necessary; simply bring a few thoughts to share about Tom and his exploits! Discussion Leader: Nancy Oelke.
Meet the Past: Mark Twain
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Meet the Past with Crosby Kemper III launches its second full season with a conversation with Mark Twain, as portrayed by veteran Chautauqua performer George Frein.
Hal Holbrook Tonight
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Celebrated actor Hal Holbrook discusses his beautifully moving new memoir, Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain, in a special public conversation with Library Director Crosby Kemper III.
Exhibit
Mark Twain and Tom Benton: Pictures, Prose, and Song
September 3 – October 30, 2011
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
The Kansas City Public Library unites Missouri’s most renowned author and its most prominent artist with this exhibit.
