The goal of One Book, One Wallingford is to bring the community togetherin reading and discussing the same book. In 2024, we will be reading…
THE LOST LIBRARY by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass
When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures, but the town itself.
Told in turn by a ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave it to you).
AUTHOR TALK AND FAMILY FUN EVENT
Tuesday, April 30th | Registration Required
Mark T. Sheehan High School | 142 Hope Hill Road, Wallingford
5:30pm: Family Fun Activities & Food Trucks
Join us before the author talk for some fun activities related to The Lost Library. Kids can work on their lock-opening skills, make crafts, take pictures at our photo booth, and more! There will also be food trucks on hand from Los Mariachis and Silver Sands Pizza.
6:30pm: Author Talk & Book Signing
Join us in Sheehan’s auditorium for a talk with Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, authors of The Lost Library. They will discuss their writing process, share stories, and answer questions. A book signing will take place following the talk. The Lost Library and several other books by each author will be available for purchase.
Rebecca Stead
Rebecca Stead is a bestselling and award-winning author of seven novels for young people. Notable works include When you Reach Me (which won the 2010 Newbery Medal), First Light, and Bob, which was the first book she co-wrote with Wendy Mass. Rebecca grew up in New York City where she fell in love with reading in her two beds at night (she had two beds because her parents were divorced). One day when she was all grown up and working as a lawyer, she went to a bookstore (an independent bookstore) and bought an armload of books that she remembered loving as a kid. She read them. Then she went back and bought more books written for children (newer ones). She read them. And then she began to write. She says that the most important thing to know about writing is that there are no rules.
Wendy Mass
Wendy Mass is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-one novels for young people (which have been translated into 32 languages and nominated for 91 state book awards). Notable works include A Mango-Shaped Space (which was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award by the American Library Association), The Willow Falls series, The Candymakers series, and Bob, which was the first book she co-wrote with author Rebecca Stead. She wrote a storyline for an episode of the television show Monk, entitled “Mr. Monk Goes to the Theater,” which aired during the show’s second season. Wendy was named the New Jersey Association of School Librarian’s 2018 Author of the Year. She tells people her hobbies are hiking and photography, but really they’re collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS
We have so many other programs and events planned around our One Book One Wallingford selection! These events focus on specific topics and themes relevant to the novel. Come to some or all!
ONE BOOK ONE WALLINGFORD READ ALOUD
Mondays: February 26th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th | 6:30pm
Wednesdays: February 28th, March 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th | 4:30pm
Thursdays: February 29th, March 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th | 6:30pm
Grades K-5 | Children’s Program Room
This year’s One Book One Wallingford makes a great read aloud for families. Grab some popcorn and listen in as we read the book together each week. Each week we will read a few chapters. Attend on the day and time that works best for you each week. This is a drop-in event, but register if you would like an email reminder.
WRITING WORKSHOP
Thursday, April 4th | 6:30pm | Grades 3-5 | Collins Meeting Room
Evan finds a book called How to Write a Mystery, which inspired him to figure out mysteries in his town. Budding writers are invited to join educator Kristin Liu to get their creative writing juices flowing. Every great writer and story begins somewhere; why not start yours here?
CASEY CARLE’S BUBBLEMANIA!
Friday, April 12th | 10:30am | Grades K-5 | Community Room
Comic Bubble Artist Casey Carle heard our One Book, One Wallingford has a ghost or two (or three). To join in our One Book fun, Casey Carle will mesmerize you by creating ghostly bubbles and more in this bubble comedy…with a drip!
Note – Siblings are welcome to attend, but the show is not designed to keep the attention spans of toddlers.
DECODING THE MYSTERIES OF CAT
Thursday, April 4th | 7:00pm | Adults | Zoom
Feline behaviorist and animal welfare professional Stephen Quandt explains cat behavior from the perspective of the evolutionary and adapted forces that shape cat’s lives. Join us via Zoom as Stephen explains the Cycle of Predation and the Confidence Scale, which can lead to “drive-by” ankle biting, play aggression, among other issues. He will also explain Mother/Kitten relationship that connects them to us through food needs, attention seeking, and their status with their most favored/least favored people. Finally, he will discuss the connection between hunger, appetite, metabolism, and exercise to all the above! There will be a Q&A following the presentation for patrons to ask for advice. Registration is required.
TIE-IN BOOK DISCUSSION: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Thursday Night Book Club
Thursday, April 18th | 6:30pm | Adults | Collins Room
Moderated by Librarian Cindy Haiken