The Towne Lake Arts Center and partner organizations, including the Sequoyah Regional Library System, are presenting the second annual "The Big Read."
The annual program is a national grant project sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts to encourage literacy. Through the program. entire communities are invited to read the same book together and attend events celebrating the story.
This year's book is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, a Southern fiction tale of racism, courage and compassion told through the eyes of the main character Scout Finch.
Arts organizations applying for the grant "demonstrate experience in building strong local partnerships, reaching and engaging new and diverse audiences, working with educators, involving local and state public officials, and working with media," said Liz Stark, public affairs specialist with the NEA.
The art center and its partner organizations received a $20,000 grant in June. It was awarded $14,000 last school year to promote the reading of the classic "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain.
It was among eight organizations in Georgia that received grants for this school year, which totaled $137,900 statewide, Ms. Stark said. Across the country, 267 nonprofit art organizations received $3.7 million in grants.
Gay Grooms, artistic director of the arts center, said they will distribute 3,000 books, 20 audio books, 7,500 reader guides, 100 teacher guides and many bookmarks - all at no cost to recipients - to commemorate "Mockingbird."
Books are already being distributed through such events as the Main Street Sessions program in downtown Woodstock last Saturday and at Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl competitions at Freedom Middle School this week.
During the Cherokee County School District's winter break in February, the Sequoyah Regional Library System will present free programs at all of its branches. Children will see scenes from the arts center's production of a play based on the book and receive a free copy of the novel.
Vicki Sellers, library system youth department supervisor, said she's expecting a 10-percent increase from the 330 people who attended last year's "The Big Read" events at the libraries.
Because of the economy, Mrs. Sellers said more parents are looking for free events to enjoy with their children.
Students will have the opportunity to share tea with the book's main character at Tea Leaves and Thyme on Feb. 19.
The restaurant in downtown Woodstock will host "Tea with Scout and Aunt Alexandra (or 'How to Take a Tomboy to a Fancy Restaurant')" from 10 a.m. and noon. The cost is $14 per person.
After the tea party, a free "Jem's Scavenger Hunt" will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Participants will search for items from the book by following clues throughout downtown Woodstock.
Charles J. Shield, autobiographer of Ms. Lee, will present free programs for students during the school day on Feb. 24 at Teasley Middle in Canton, Feb. 25 at E.T. Booth Middle in Woodstock and Feb. 26 at Freedom Middle in Canton.
The book's mysterious character Boo Radley won't be left out of the celebration.
A "Teen Mystery Party" is planned from 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the arts center. Teenagers will be given the opportunity to participate in a mystery scavenger hunt that focuses on Radley's character. Admission is free.
The culmination of "The Big Read" will happen in March when the center performs Christopher Sergel's adaptation of "To Kill A Mockingbird." Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from March 9 through 27 at the Woodstock Community Church on Main Street. Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for students and senior citizens. The production is free for students who read the book and receive an "Atticus Finch Subpoena To Appear."
Younger children also will have the opportunity to participate in the reading celebrations.
The arts center's Improv Troupe will perform "Sneetches and Other Stores" for elementary school groups during Fridays in February and March as part of "The Little Read."
The public will have the opportunity to see the show at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from March 6 through 28 at the arts center. Admission is $6.
A free closing ceremony for "The Big Read" will follow the final performance of "Sneetches" at 5 p.m. at the arts center.
Ms. Grooms said she's expecting to surpass the roughly 5,000 people who were xtouched through the program last year.
"People now have a better feel for what the project is," she said, adding the book's popularity also will bring out big crowds.
While the events are designed to encourage children to read the book, Mrs. Sellers said she hopes everyone absorbs the novel's broader message of tolerance, acceptance and courage.
"When they look at people, they should look at them with an eye that's not prejudice," she said.
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