Grafton Library goes green for this year’s Community Read

To find inspiration for the Grafton Public Library’s Community Read, organizers had to look only as far as the library’s roof.

The new library expansion includes a “green” roof, planted with sedum as both a decorative and environmental feature. To celebrate the multiple green building practices used during the renovation and expansion project, as well as Earth Day, the Friends of the Grafton Public Library chose The Overstory by Richard Powers, a novel about nine strangers summoned to save the continent’s few remaining acres of virgin forest.

Young adults may read Code Blue by Marissa Slaven, and the children’s titles are The Curious Garden by Peter Brown; The Trouble with Dragons by Deb Gliori and The Tree Lady by Joseph H. Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. 

The library will be making multiple copies of the books available in several formats and plan several related programs (registration required)  in conjunction with the read:

Community Read Book Discussion: The Overstory by Richard Powers

Thursday, April 28 7:00-9:00pm

The Friends of the Library Community Read discussion of the book The Overstory by Richard Powers, will be held at the library. The book is available at the library in regular print hardcover and oversized paperback, digital media player and as an audio on CD, so stop by the library to pick up a physical copy.  It is also available as an eBook and eAudio through Overdrive / Libby. “A novel of activism and natural-world power presents interlocking fables about nine remarkable strangers who are summoned in different ways by trees for an ultimate, brutal stand to save the continent’s few remaining acres of virgin forest.” This program is for adults.

There will be several opportunities to discuss the book on the following dates:

Daytimers Book Group

Tuesday, April 19 at 1:30pm

Reads Well with Others” Book Group

Monday, April 25 at 7:30pm

Community Read Book Discussion: The Overstory by Richard Powers

Thursday, April 28 7:00-9:00pm

Community Read Crafting

Tuesday, April 5 at 7:30pm

Come decorate a clay plant pot and then use it to plant some sedum to take home with you.  Sedum is what the library’s green roof is made of. Having it as a house plant can help purify the air, release oxygen even at night, and some studies have shown that it can help you focus.

Not Just for Young Adults” Book Group

Monday, April 11 at 7:30pm

The “Not Just for Young Adults” book group will discuss the book, Code Blue, by Marissa Slaven. Copies of the books are available in regular print, so stop by the library to pick up a physical copy. It is also available as a Hoopla eBook. “Atlantic (Tic) Brewer never knew her father, a hydrologist who died at sea before she was born. Raised by her mother and an elderly neighbor, Tic’s small home on the Edge is under threat from rising sea levels. At sixteen-years-old Tic is smart and studies hard as she prepares to attend one of many Academies established worldwide, when the International Change Agreement warned of imminent environmental collapse. There she meets friends Phish and Lee, who like her pledge to save all human civilization in a race against time.”

Grafton Clean-Up Day Sponsored by the Grafton Garden Club

Saturday, April 23 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Meet on the Grafton Common. For more information, contact Helen Blazis,Grafton Garden Club Chair, at markblazissafaris@gmail.com

Bookworms Book Club Kindergarten – 1st Grade

Thursday, April 28 5:30-6:00pm

Join Ms. Kristin for a fun book discussion for kids in kindergarten and first grade. Copies of the book, The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown, will be available for pick up at the library. It is also available as an audiobook on CD, a film, an eBook on Overdrive / Libby and an eFilm and eAudio on Hoopla. “Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.” Registration is required.

Bookworms Book Club 2nd– 3rd Grade

Monday, April 28 6:15-6:45pm

Join Ms. Kristin for a fun book discussion for kids in second and third grade. Copies of the book, The Trouble with Dragons, by Debi Gliori, will be available for pick up at the library.  “When dragons cut down too many trees, blow out too much hot air, and do other environmental damage, the future looks grim, but other animals advise them on how to mend their ways and save the planet.” Registration is required.

Bookworms Book Club 4th – 5th Grade

Thursday, April 28 7:00-7:30pm

Join Ms. Kristin for a fun book discussion for kids in fourth and fifth grade. Copies of the book, The Tree Lady : the true story of how one tree-loving woman changed a city forever by Joseph H. Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry, will be available for pick up at the library. It is also available as an eBook on Overdrive / Libby. “Learn about Katherine Olivia Sessions who brought trees to San Diego and created what eventually became Balboa Park.” Registration is required.

Please register for programs online at: graftonlibrary.org/events, visit the Community Read website at www.graftonlibrary.org/communityread or call the Library at 508-839-4649. If you have any questions about how to read or listen to the digital titles, how to get a physical copy of the book or how participate in the events, contact the Grafton Public Library at: info@graftonlibrary.org