One Book, One Chicago Fall 2012
Programs and Events
These programs took place in 2012.
Unless otherwise noted, the below programs are free and open to the public, with no reservations required. For more information, call (312) 747-8191.
* Indicates that this program is recorded for Chicago Public Library’s online audio archive at Chicago Amplified, where full length audio of each presentation will be made available for stream-listening or download.
Quicklinks: Events, Panels and Performances | Markus Zusak Appearances | Courses | Events for Teens
Events, Panels and Performances
Featured Now Is The Time Program: Journal of Ordinary Thought*
Thursday, September 27, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Join writers from the Neighborhood Writing Alliance in celebration of the release of the fall 2012 issue of the Journal of Ordinary Thought. This issue features writing on the theme of Freedom and Liberation from San Lucas Church, St. Leonard’s House and the Albany Park, Bezazian, Hall, King and Manning branch library workshops. This issue also features art from the L is for Liberation Collective’s Radicalphabet. The Journal of Ordinary Thought publishes reflections people make on their personal histories and everyday experiences. It is founded on the proposition that “Every Person Is a Philosopher.” For more information on Now Is The time, go to nowisthetimechicago.org.
The Book Thief and the History of Reading
Tuesday, October 2, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
Arts and Letters Hall
2315 N. Kenmore Avenue
For The Book Thief’s Liesel Meminger, reading is a means of both resistance and reconciliation. With attention to literature’s changing material and interpretive practices, DePaul faculty—Jenny Conary and Marcy Dinius, English; Lisa Z. Sigel, History; and Traci Schlesinger, Sociology—discuss what it has meant to be a reader in different times and places, from early modern Europe to today. Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.
Music of The Book Thief: Accordion Performances
Wednesday, October 3—two times and locations in one day!
- 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Grand Lobby (seating limited)
400 S. State Street - 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
Lobby (no formal seating, standing room only)
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
Twice on one day, a musician affiliated with the Old Town School of Folk Music will appear in these library lobbies for an informal performance on accordion. Hear the music that Leisel hears her papa Hans play throughout The Book Thief, including Hungarian and Austrian folk tunes.
Shimer College and Chicago Read Out: Liberate Banned Books
Thursday, October 4, 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Shimer College
Cinderella Lounge
3424 S. State Street
Shimer College invites Chicago to participate in an evening of short readings from the (sadly) long list of books that have been banned, burned and otherwise barred from the public. Reflecting on the history of book burnings as depicted in The Book Thief, this event coincides with the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Come read from your own favorite once—or currently—threatened book or from one selected by the students, staff and faculty at Shimer. For more information, call (312) 235-3529 or email s.patterson@shimer.edu.
The Book as Object
Wednesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
John T. Richardson Library, Room 300
2350 N. Kenmore Avenue
A book exists as more than just a vessel for the written word—it’s an artwork, a collectible and, of course, a target for thieves. Join librarian Kathryn DeGraff and artist Matthew Girson, along with cultural critic Rachel Shteir, author of The Steal: A Cultural History of Shoplifting, as they discuss various personal and cultural ways of experiencing The Book beyond reading. Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.
The Book Thief at Steppenwolf Theatre
October 16 to November 9
Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre
1650 N. Halsted Street
This stunning production, offered by Steppenwolf for Young Adults, is adapted by Heidi Stillman and directed by Hallie Gordon. SYA offers student tickets to The Book Thief Tuesday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. Public performances are on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Attend the performance on Sunday, October 21 at 3:00 p.m. for a talk-back with author Markus Zusak, Heidi Stillman, Hallie Gordon and the cast! For more information, call the Steppenwolf box office at (312) 335-1650 or visit steppenwolf.org.
Jerome McDonnell
Paul Rusesabagina
Paul Rusesabagina in conversation with Jerome McDonnell*
Tuesday, October 16, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
What choices does one make in times of war? This is one of the many questions asked in The Book Thief and is mirrored in the experiences of Paul Rusesabagina during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Rusesabagina sheltered over a thousand Tutsis and moderate Hutus in the hotel where he was concierge—a story captured in the film Hotel Rwanda and in Rusesabagina’s autobiography An Ordinary Man. The activist joins Worldview host Jerome McDonnell for a discussion about taking action against injustice.
Markus Zusak Appearances
Teen Volume Conference: Now Is The Time
Keynote lecture by Markus Zusak
Monday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
Markus Zusak joins this annual conference, which takes on the theme Now Is The Time—a citywide conversation about making positive change in our communities to stop the trend of youth violence and intolerance. The Teen Volume Conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is a professional development day presented by Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools for librarians and educators. This fall the conference is open to the public. For the full conference lineup and to register before October 15, go to 2012teenvolumeconference.eventbrite.com.
Markus Zusak in Conversation with Dawn Turner Trice*
Monday, October 22, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
The author sits down with Chicago Tribune columnist and author Dawn Turner Trice for a conversation about the vision behind The Book Thief, as well as the author’s reaction to its enormous success among readers of all ages across the globe.
Book sales for these events provided by Sandmeyer’s Bookstore.
Courses
DePaul University: Literature and Social Engagement
Fall Quarter 2012 (September 5, 2012 – November 20, 2012)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
DePaul University’s Department of English offers a course dedicated to exploring the literary achievement of the One Book, One Chicago selection, drawing on the expertise of DePaul’s English faculty. In fall 2012, Professor Lucy Rinehart teaches English 378: Literature and Social Engagement. This is a paid, tuition-based course. For more information, email dwelch3@depaul.edu or call (773) 325-1775. Sponsored by DePaul University’s Department of English.
Harold Washington College: One Book, One Chicago—Issues and Perspectives
Fall 2012 (August 20, 2012 – December 8, 2012)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
30 E. Lake Street, Room 608
This class is for credit and open to the public. For more information, visit Harold Washington College’s Department of English, Speech and Theatre or email Jrivera-vanschagen@ccc.edu.
Events for Teens
For more related Chicago Public Library Teen Volume Project programs, including digital media workshops in YOUmedia, visit nowisthetimechicago.org.
Now Is The Time: Stand Up for Banned and Challenged Books
In The Book Thief, books are not only banned, they are burned. While many years have passed since Liesel had to steal books, we still fight for the freedom to choose what we read even today. During the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week (September 30-October 6), teens 14-18 are invited to join teen members of Chicago Public Library’s Readers Theatre Troupe in readings from banned or challenged teen novels. For more information, contact teenvolume@chipublib.org or (312) 747-4780.
- Wednesday, September 19, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Avalon Branch
8148 S. Stony Island Avenue
(312) 747-5234 - Saturday, October 13, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center – YOUmedia
400 S. State Street, 1st Floor
(312) 747-5260
This half-hour Reader’s Theatre performance will be followed by an hourlong workshop exploring The Book Thief’s connection to teens today, presented by teaching artists from Steppenwolf Theatre.
How Does The Book Thief Speak To Teens Today?
Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume Project welcomes Steppenwolf Theatre Company for dynamic, theater-based workshops examining The Book Thief. Steppenwolf teaching artists will use hands-on, expressive, movement-based activities to guide teens ages 12-18 in exploring The Book Thief as a work of art and cultural expression. No prior knowledge of the book is necessary.
- Wednesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Avalon Branch
8148 S. Stony Island Avenue
(312) 747-5234 - Thursday, October 4, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Roosevelt Branch
1101 W. Taylor Street
(312) 746-5656 - Wednesday, October 10, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Greater Grand Crossing Branch
1000 E. 73rd Street
(312) 745-1608 - Thursday, October 11, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Garfield Ridge Branch
6348 S. Archer Avenue
(312) 747-6094 - Tuesday, October 16, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hall Branch
4801 S. Michigan Avenue
(312) 747-2541 - Wednesday, October 17, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thurgood Marshall Branch
7506 S. Racine Avenue
(312) 747-5927 - Thursday, October 18, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center - YOUmedia
400 S. State Street, 1st Floor
(312) 747-5260
For teens in high school only - Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Lozano Branch
1805 S. Loomis Street
(312) 746-4329 - Wednesday, October 24, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Dunning Branch
7455 W. Cornelia Avenue
(312) 743-0480 - Wednesday, October 24, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Budlong Woods Branch
5630 N. Lincoln Avenue
(312) 742-9590 - Thursday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Little Village Branch
2311 S. Kedzie Avenue
(312) 745-1862 - Monday, October 29, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Daley, Richard M.–W Humboldt Branch
733 N. Kedzie Avenue
(312) 743-0555
Steve Musgrave
Read, Draw, Discuss: Book Discussions and Hands-on Art Workshops
Teen Volume discussions of The Book Thief take on an exciting twist this fall, in partnership with The Big Draw Chicago, a monthlong festival of informal drawing programs that invites participants to draw, think and share. Artist Steve Musgrave joins Teen Volume moderators for a discussion combined with the chance to create artwork inspired by the book. Just as Liesel and Max use art to help them tell their own stories and build their unique friendship, teens 12-18 are welcome to share their perspectives and feel fearless in doing so! Please check out and read the book prior to the program and register by contacting teenvolume@chipublib.org or (312) 747-4780. Sketchbooks and other materials provided.
- Thursday, October 18, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted Street
(312) 747-6900 - Wednesday, October 24, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
(312) 744-7616 - Thursday, October 25, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center - YOUmedia
400 S. State Street
(312) 747-5260
For teens in high school only