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  • SANTA MONICA READS 2013: WONDER by R.J. PALACIO

    Santa Monica Reads Logo 240    2013 marks the eleventh year of Santa Monica's community reading program, Santa Monica Reads. This year's featured book is R.J. Palacio's Wonder, a critically-acclaimed novel that follows a year in the life of ten-year-old August "Auggie" Pullman, a normal boy in every way except for a craniofacial disorder that has kept him away from most children his age.  Previously home-schooled, Auggie begins attending school with other kids in the fifth grade, and the novel chronicles not only Auggie's transformation over the next year, but also the changes experienced by his family, friends and classmates. Embracing a message of kindness and compassion, Wonder reminds us all not to judge a book, or a boy, by its cover.  Santa Monica Reads takes place between February 16 and March 23, 2013. SMR 2013 - Wonder Cover 240  

    For more information on 2013 Santa Monica Reads,check out our resource guide (PDF) here.

    All programs below are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served.

    Please note locations for each discussion or event, as several take place in non-library venues.
    For a list of book discussion dates and times, scroll to the bottom.

    		  

  • SANTA MONICA READS 2013 SPECIAL EVENTS

     Calendar Image - SMR Wonder Discussions

    		    WONDER Book Discussions
    Various Dates and Locations
    Join us for one of our many book discussions throughout the next five weeks.  Scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of all dates & locations.

     Calendar Image - SMR Power of Bullying

    		    The Power of Bullying
    Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm
    Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    UCLA Psychology Professor Jaana Juvonen, an expert in the field of bullying and youth peer pressure, presents this discussion on bullying for adults wanting to know what they can do to combat the problem.

    Calendar Image - SMR JR Martinez

    		  

    J.R. Martinez: Full of Heart
    Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:00 pm
    Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    Beloved by millions who fell in love with him as he won Dancing With The Stars in May 2012, Iraq War veteran J.R. Martinez embodies everything this year's Santa Monica Reads is all about. Wounded and burned by a bomb blast while serving in Iraq, J.R. Martinez dug deep and found the spirit and determination to succeed and thrive against the odds. Join us as he discusses his life and new autobiography. A book sale and signing will follow. This is a ticketed event; free tickets available one hour prior to program in Main Library lobby.

    Calendar Image - SMR Elephant Man

    		   Screening: The Elephant Man
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6:30 pm
    Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    David Lynch's award-winning 1980 film introduced the world to John Merrick, an intelligent and sensitive man in late-19th century Britain, who was marginalized by society due to physical deformities.

    Calendar Image - SMR Bluest Eye

    		   Bonus Book Discussion: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
    Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm
    Main Library, Community Meeting Room, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    Toni Morrison's first novel is a complex portrayal of the social pressures placed upon children based on physical appearance. It is the story of Pecola Brown, an 11-year-old black girl in 1940s Ohio, who is taunted by the world around her for her dark skin, kinky hair and brown eyes. Every day, she prays for blonde hair and blue eyes, which she believes will help her fit in. Join us for one of two bonus discussions of this classic novel with themes similar to those examined in Wonder.

    Calendar Image - SMR Mask Poster

    		   Screening and Filmmaker Q&A: Mask
    Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm
    Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    Join us for a screening of the 1985 hit film starring Cher as the mother of a teenage song living with a craniofacial condition similar to the one portrayed in Wonder.  Oscar-nominated screenwriter Anna Hamilton Phelan will introduce the film and participate in a post-film Q&A with cast members (schedules permitting).

    Calendar Image - SMR Bully

    		   Cinema Connections Screening & Discussion: Bully
    Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm
    Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    This frank documentary takes us behind the scenes, into the lives of bullied children and asks what we can do to stop this epidemic of psychological and physical violence. Following the screening, teens and older adult filmgoers are invited to participate in a discussion of the film.
    This event co-sponsored by the Older Adult Task Force

    Calendar Image - SMR Bluest Eye

    		   Bonus Book Discussion: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
    Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm
    Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Avenue *
    Please note: the location for this discussion was previously listed as Main Library in error. The location for this date's discussion is the Montana Branch.
    Toni Morrison's first novel is a complex portrayal of the social pressures placed upon children based on physical appearance. It is the story of Pecola Brown, an 11-year-old black girl in 1940s Ohio, who is taunted by the world around her for her dark skin, kinky hair and brown eyes. Every day, she prays for blonde hair and blue eyes, which she believes will help her fit in. Join us for one of two bonus discussions of this classic novel with themes similar to those examined in Wonder.

    Calendar Image - SMR RJ Palacio Event

    		   An Afternoon with R.J. Palacio, featuring the Voices of Wonder
    Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm
    Lincoln Middle School Auditorium, 1501 California Avenue *
    Author R.J. Palacio presents an engaging discussion of Wonder, followed by a book sale and signing. A special staged reading of scenes from Wonder, directed and adapted for the stage by Edward Edwards, precedes the author's presentation.

     

    WONDER BOOK DISCUSSIONS

    Trained volunteer facilitators lead these free public book discussions. No registration required.
    Discussions are open to readers of all ages, but those designated as Family Discussions will have a focus on families reading together. 

    • Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 11:00 am - Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Boulevard *
    • Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:00 pm - Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Avenue *
    • Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 4:00 pm - Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street *
    • Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm - Earth, Wind & Flour Restaurant, 2222 Wilshire Boulevard
    • Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 7:00 pm - FAMILY DISCUSSION Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Avenue *
    • Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11:00 am - Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main Street *
    • Monday, March 11, 2013 at 4:00 pm - FAMILY DISCUSSION Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *
    • Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 6:30 pm - SPANISH LANGUAGE FAMILY DISCUSSION Virginia Avenue Park, Workshop 1, 2200 Virginia Avenue *
    • Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:00 pm - Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 1201 Third Street Promenade
    • Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 6:30 pm - FAMILY DISCUSSION Virginia Avenue Park, Workshop 1, 2200 Virginia Avenue *
    • Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 am - Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard *

     

    * Note: City of Santa Monica facilities are wheelchair accessible. To request a disability-related accommodation, call Library Administration at 310-458-8606 (TDD 395-8499) at least one week prior to event.
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