This fall, Big Read Lakeshore invites West Michigan readers to immerse themselves in stories that challenge societal norms, explore identity, and question the American dream.
This year’s program, organized by Hope College, runs October 28 through November and features a mix of classic and contemporary works, including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel American Born Chinese, and a selection of children’s books.
“‘The Great Gatsby’ is often called ‘the great American novel,'” says Deb Van Duinen, founding director of Big Read Lakeshore and professor of education at Hope College. “We’re excited for our Lakeshore readers to explore this book and reflect on what makes it a classic. How do its themes speak to us today?”
Van Duinen says this year’s program is designed to stimulate thought-provoking conversations.
“We paired The Great Gatsby with other books that also explore identity, the American dream, societal expectations and belonging,” she says. “We hope that reading this series of books will lead to deeper insights as we explore what it means to succeed as an individual, as a Lakeshore community and as a global citizen.”
This year’s program also includes “Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir” by Pedro Martin, which will be shown at Middle Read Lakeshore for upper elementary and middle school students.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, a picture book memoir, is the focus of the Little Read Lakeshore for middle grade readers. The youngest participants in the Mini Read will enjoy Love: A Celebration of Mindfulness / El Amor: Una Celebración de la Conciencia Plena by Katie Wilson.
Includes 150 events
In addition to the diverse book selection, Big Read Lakeshore will host more than 150 events in Ottawa, Allegan and Muskegon counties. Highlights include an opening keynote on Oct. 28 with faculty members Jeanne Petit, professor of history, and Kristin VanEyk, assistant professor of English, who will explain the historical and cultural context for “The Great Gatsby.”
The program also includes author visits by Pedro Martin on October 29-30 and Yuyi Morales on November 13-14.
This year’s Big Read Lakeshore is supported by a $2,500 grant from Michigan Humanities, which will fund Morales’ visit to Holland. In addition, the Herrick District Library received a $20,000 grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, to support the program.
Since its founding in 2014, Big Read Lakeshore has grown significantly. It will expand to Muskegon in 2022 and has an estimated 20,000 participants annually. The initiative, which aims to bring the community together through shared reading experiences, was named the 2021 statewide Community Partner of the Year by Michigan Humanities.
“The impact of these programs is far-reaching,” says Van Duinen. “We’re not just reading books; we’re building connections, fostering understanding and encouraging important conversations.”
Book clubs and individual readers interested in participating can find discussion materials and further information at www.bigreadlakeshore.com.
Did you like this story? Sign up to receive free solutions-based reports in your inbox every week.
