Daily Republlic
July 18, 2002

Library hosts variety of programs around "The Grapes of Wrath"

By Cara Duffy Swartz

Solano County Library will be part of a statewide reading and discussion program this October that will bring thousands of Californians together around one book - John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath."

The program is sponsored by the California State Library and the California Council for the Humanities, which provides grants to libraries to support book purchases and discussion groups. The Fairfield-Suisun Community is proud to be a recipient of one of these grants.

Council Executive Director Jim Quay said, "while there have been several 'one city, one book' programs, nothing has been attempted on this scale and "The Grapes of Wrath" is an ideal choice for California.

"It's a great read and remains both popular and provocative today. The story of the Joad family is still powerful in a state where 50 percent of the residents are immigrants. People come to California from many places and for many reasons, so the story of migration is one story Californians share.

"We want to give Californians from every walk of life a chance to read and discuss the book together, a chance to reflect on their own family's move to California, the dreams and the disappointments shared by immigrants then and now, a chance to consider the place of their own story in the story of California."

We live in a state where 50 percent of the residents are from someplace else -- another state, or often another country. This diversity enriches us but can also create misconceptions and distrust.

This project is a way for Californians to discover what we have in common and to develop trust by coming together to discuss a great novel and share stories about our experience as Californians. We believe sharing a book and sharing stories can build stronger community ties.

In talking about the council's selection of the book, State Librarian Kevin Starr said, "The Grapes of Wrath is the most compelling and certainly the most well-known novel to concern itself with California's setting and themes. By reading the book, Californians can reconnect with the continuing premises, promises, challenges and hopes of the California experience.

The Fairfield-Suisun Community Library is planning a variety of programs around the California Stories theme:

• Sept. 29 2 p.m.: the music group, California Zephyr, will perform traditional American folk tunes from the dustbowl era. The program will be an outdoor concert on the grassy area behind the Community Center. People are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, sun umbrellas and refreshments.
  
  
• Sept. 30, 7-9 p.m.: Book discussion of The Grapes of Wrath will take place at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. 1620 Gateway Blvd., Fairfield. Readers are invited to share views on Steinbeck's masterpiece.
  
  
• Oct. 1, 4-5 p.m.: Book discussion for children and adults of Newbury Award winner "Out of the Dust" will take place at Barnes & noble. This heart-wrenching novel by Karen Hesse is set during the dustbowl years of the Depression.
  
  
• Oct. 3, 3:30-6 p.m.: A screening of the film "Grapes of Wrath," starring Henry Fonda, will be held at the Fairfield Senior Center, 1200 Civic Center Drive. Following the viewing there will be a discussion of the film and a sharing of personal stories of migration and the Depression Era.