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Silicon Valley Reads 2009

Presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Santa Clara County Library and the San Jose Public Library Foundation, Silicon Valley Reads is designed to promote reading and literacy, broaden the exposure to and appreciation of good literature, and build community.

The newest selection for the Silicon Valley Reads community program is "Not a Genuine Black Man: My Life as an Outsider" by Brian Copeland. Copeland, who is a successful Bay Area broadcast personality describes his experiences growing up African American in the 1970s white suburbs of San Leandro, California, recalling his difficult childhood in a racist enclave. This is a thought-provoking and funny memoir based on the author's one-man show. Beginning in early 2009, public events are scheduled to spark discussion of the themes of the selected book. "The Other Side" by Jacqueline Woodson for grades K-3 and "The Liberation of Gabriel King" by K.L. Going for grades 4-8 have been chosen as companion books for young readers for SVR 2009. View the SVR Calendar of Events for all events scheduled throughout Silicon Valley.

"Not a Genuine Black Man: My Life as an Outsider"
		Events featuring author Brian Copeland, in person at Santa Clara County Library Tuesday, Jan. 13 Silicon Valley Reads Kick-off. Brian Copeland will be interviewed on stage by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. Autographed copies of Not a Genuine Black Man will be available for purchase after the program. You can also purchase copies of the two children's companion books, The Other Side and The Liberation of Gabriel King. Seating is first come, first seated. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley. 7:30 p.m., Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell Tuesday, Jan. 20 Co-sponsored by Friends of the Saratoga Libraries. 6:30 p.m., Saratoga Library Wednesday, Jan. 21 Author talk, panel discussion, book signing and announcement of winners of essay contest for Cupertino adults and high school students who entered essays on the outsider themes of Not a Genuine Black Man. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library Foundation. 7 p.m., Cupertino Library Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino Thursday, Feb. 12 Author talk and book signing. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library, BookSmart, American Association of University Women (Morgan Hill branch), and the Morgan Hill Times. 7 p.m., Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Rd. at E. 5th St., Morgan Hill. Information: (408) 779-3196. Tuesday, Feb. 17 7 p.m., Los Altos Library Wednesday, Feb. 25 Co-sponsored by Friends of the Milpitas Library. 7 p.m., Milpitas Library Tuesday, March 24 Co-sponsored by Friends of the Gilroy Library, American Association of University Women (Gilroy branch), Gilroy Writing Project, Vision Literacy. 6:30 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St., Gilroy Other Silicon Valley Reads Events at Santa Clara County Library Tuesday, Jan. 27 Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man. All welcome. 7 p.m., Gilroy Library Thursday, Jan. 29 Book discussion and craft activity focused on The Liberation of Gabriel King, for children in grades 4-6. 4 p.m., Saratoga Library Thursday, Feb. 5 Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man. All welcome. 7 p.m., Campbell Library Thursday, Feb. 12 A special program for school-age children including the reading of The Other Side, making quilt blocks that depict friends and friendship for a library quilt, and discussion of paintings from the Picturing America collection that relate to Black History Month. 3:30 p.m., Campbell Library Thursday, Feb. 19 Discussion of The Liberation of Gabriel King for grades 4-8 4 p.m. Milpitas Library
Also available as a Book Club Kit.
Companion Books for Young Readers

Click here for the related Reading List

For more information, visit the Silicon Valley Reads web site.

Silicon Valley Reads 2009

"Not a Genuine Black Man: My Life as an Outsider"

Companion Books for Young Readers

Click here for the related Reading List

For more information, visit the Silicon Valley Reads web site.

Companion Books for
Young Readers