Jun 27 2007
The National Endowment for the Arts has substantially increased its participation in its Big Read program. On Monday the organization awarded 117 new grants totaling over $1.5 million and more than doubling the number of communities participating in the program.
Launched in 2006, the Big Read encourages people in cities and towns to jointly read one of a selected number of books and, is, according to NEA chairman Dana Gioia, a way to use reading as a community building tool. "By joining the Big Read, these cities and towns are showing that reading is necessary to the
cultural, civic, even economic fabric of their communities", Gioia said. The organization's goal is to have 400 communities on board for 2008.
The Widow Queen
by Elzbieta Cherezinska
The epic story of an 11th century Polish queen whose life and name were all but forgotten until now.
Reader ReviewsThe Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
by Julietta Henderson
A charming, uplifting debut about a mother and her 12-year-old son, an aspiring comedian.
Reader ReviewsA New York Times Notable Book of 2020
"Stunning.… A timely family saga with faith and forgiveness at its core."
―Marie Claire
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