The Help: The Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year

One of the most popular books at our library and libraries and bookstores across the country is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Set in 1962 in Jackson, Mississippi, The Help is the story of two African-American maids and a wealthy young white woman who bring change to their community, undertaking a risky project to illuminate the experiences of Jackson's African-American maids and the indignities of segregation.

The Tuesday morning book group will discuss The Help on September 7th at 10 a.m. If you'd like to attend, we still have two copies of The Help available for book discussion attendees, and you can register for the discussion and pick up the book at the 3rd floor Readers' Services desk. (If you would like to read The Help but not attend the discussion, you can place a copy on hold here.)

The Help is also the 2010-2011 Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year selection for adults.

What is the Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year program? Founded in 2004, the Suburban Mosaic seeks to foster cultural understanding through literature, book discussions, and other programming in suburban Cook and Lake counties. Participating organizations include libraries, schools and other organizations. If you want to participate, you can attend one of the Mosaic book discussions, plan a book discussion of your own, or simply read the books independently.

This year's theme is Making a Difference, and in addition to The Help, which is the adult selection, there are titles for pre-schoolers through high-schoolers. They are:

The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd (high school title)

Back Home by Chicago Tribune book columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winner Julia Keller (middle school title)

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen (4th-5th grade title)

Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (K-3rd grade title)

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham (Preschool-K title)

Feel free to check out any of these books for yourself or a young person in your life.

For more information about the Suburban Mosaic organization, including information about the books and discussion questions, click here.