Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville is among many sponsors of the annual citywide reading celebration, Naperville READS. The backers of Naperville READS celebrate the fact that reading opens new worlds, and exposes ideas in our hearts and minds. And nothing enriches communities more than compassion, inclusion, diversity and kindness, which are the keys to Katherine Applegate’s widely-praised featured book, Wishtree.
A public event for the community featuring the 2019 Naperville READS author, Applegate – who is also a Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author – will be held beginning at 7PM on Tues., Jan. 29, at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave. This event is free and open to the public.
Tickets to attend this special event are available at NapervilleReads.brownpapertickets.com. Books are also available for purchase on the Brown Paper tickets website or at the door.
In addition to the centerpiece program on January 29, nearly 4000 children will get a chance to meet Applegate during her visit to Naperville. Naperville School District 203, Indian Prairie School District 204 and local private schools are taking part in these very special targeted events.
Educators are also invited to an event at 5:30PM Tues., Jan. 29. This one-hour gathering with the guest author is geared toward teachers. It is also free. All educators are welcome to attend.
In recognition of the earnest wishes made in the selected Naperville READS book, a miniature “wishtree” is being erected at Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Readers and community members alike are welcome to visit the tree and write wishes to be tied to its branches, as described in Applegate’s Wishtree.
Becky Anderson, one of the Anderson’s Bookshop owners, explains, “People are invited to make wishes for themselves, for their family, friends, community or the world!”
Also part of the Naperville READS celebration will be “Reading in the Window” at Anderson’s Bookshop, which invites volunteer community members to take a turn reading in the front store window of Anderson’s Bookshop. Sign up by contacting Anderson’s Bookshop, (630) 355-2665. This popular program has been a part of Naperville READS for several years.
About Wishtree
New is a special edition for adults of Wishtree, Katherine Applegate’s New York Times-bestselling novel about an oak tree and a crow who help their neighbors embrace their differences.
“Trees can’t tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .”
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood wishtree—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.
When a new family moves in, not everyone is welcoming, and Red’s experience as a wishtree is more important than ever. With a message of inclusion for dreamers and welcomers, this is a book for our lives and times.
Praise for Wishtree, a New York Times Bestseller!
A New York Times Notable Book, 2017
A National Public Radio Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Washington Post Best Book of 2017
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2017
San Francisco Chronicle 2017 Gift Guide
Los Angeles Times 2017 Gift Guide
Autumn 2017 Kids’ Indie Next List “Top Pick” Title
Winner, E.B. White Read Aloud Award
2018 ALSC/ALA Notable Children’s Book
“A beautifully written, morally bracing story that will leave its imprint on a reader of any age.” The New York Times Book Review
“The simplicity of Newbery Medalist Applegate’s graceful novel contrasts powerfully with the prejudice it confronts. Narration comes from Red, an enormous red oak near an elementary school that also serves as a “wishtree” for the neighborhood—once a year, residents deposit wishes in Red’s branches and hollows….Red’s openhearted voice and generosity of spirit bring perspective gained over centuries of observation. It’s a distinctive call for kindness, delivered by an unforgettable narrator.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Applegate introduces another quiet, resilient protagonist who — like the caged gorilla in The One and Only Ivan and the working-class boy in Crenshaw — speaks movingly to a noisy, fractious world. — The Washington Post
“The story’s wit and humor keep it from being heavy-handed, as do vivid portrayals of minor characters, especially Bongo, the sarcastic crow who is Red’s best friend. This is a book made for family sharing and discussion.”--Raleigh News & Observer
About the Author
Katherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal. Her novel Crenshaw, spent over 20 weeks on the New York Times children’s bestseller list, and her first middle-grade stand-alone novel, Home of the Brave continues to be included on state reading lists, summer reading lists, and class reading lists. Applegate lives with her family in Tiburon, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
About Naperville READS
Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, and co-owner Becky Anderson have been involved in Naperville READS since the program’s launch in 2002. The effort is all to foster a love of reading in the community.
Naperville READS 2019 is a partnership between Jumping Off the Page, Anderson’s Bookshop, The Naperville Public Library, North Central College, Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204 in addition to our featured publisher, Feiwel & Friends. The Naperville READS project is partially supported by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Past Naperville READS authors have included: Gary Paulsen, Pete Hamill, Jerry Spinelli, Kevin Henkes, Tracy Chevalier, Yann Martel, Rebecca Skloot, Katherine Hannigan, Kate DiCamillo, Joseph Bruchac, Lisa See, Brian Selznick, Daniel Pink, Chris Grabenstein, Margaret Peterson Haddix, James R. Hannibal, Dick Lehr, Beth McMullen and Wendelin Van Draaen.
More information is available at www.andersonsbookshop.com.
Story submitted by Candace Purdom, Publicity & Events, Anderson’s Bookshop.
