Silicon Valley Reads 2013 “Invisible Wounds of War”
Calendar of 100+ Events January-April, 2013 Authors • Panels • Films • Art Exhibit • Discussions
Free events for all ages throughout Santa Clara County
PRESENTED BY:
SiliconValleyReads.org Welcome to Silicon Valley Reads 2013 After the Civil War, men returning from combat in Santa Clara County to read and think about 2013 Companion Books suffered from “soldier’s heart.” In World War I, this important topic. Through our selected for Children & Teens some experienced “Shell Shock” and in World books and more than 100 free public events for War II it was labeled “Battle Fatigue.” Since all ages, Silicon Valley Reads hopes to engage Night Catch [PreK-Gr 2] by Brenda Ehrmantraut Vietnam, veterans have been diagnosed the community in apolitical discussions about Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the after effects of war on soldiers and their Miracle [Gr 2-5] by Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Every war is families. and Mary Nethery different, but all leave indelible psychological, Back Home [Gr 5-8] by Julia Keller emotional and spiritual scars on those who 2013 Featured Books serve and those who wait at home. The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Purple Heart [Teens] by Patricia McCormick Follows by Brian Castner In 2013, Silicon Valley Reads explores the theme of “Invisible Wounds of War” and asks everyone Minefields of the Heart: A Mother’s Stories of a Son at War by Sue Diaz Kick Off of Silicon Valley Reads 2013 Wednesday, Jan. 30 Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, and Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart, are interviewed on stage by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. Book signing follows the program. Open seating – no reservations required. First come, first seated. Doors open Mike Cassidy at 6:45 p.m. Welcoming music by Prospect High School students, under the direction of Ryan Goodenough. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley and LiveSV. The event will be recorded for later broadcast on KLIV Radio.
7:30 p.m. at Campbell Heritage Theatre. Information: 408-354-1242.
2012 Kick Off of Silicon Valley Reads drew a large crowd.
Moffett Field History Museum Open House War & Healing Art Exhibit Saturday, Feb. 2 Feb. 4 – March 21 Step back in time “War & Healing” will look at war and the healing at the Moffett potential of art. The visual dialogue will include Field Historical veteran, civilian, and activist points of view. Artists Society Museum and groups include the Combat Paper Project with and learn about co-founder Drew Cameron, Joyce McEwen Crawford, the significant Thomas Dang, Mike Dooley, Pantea Karimi, Linden Raku Bomb #18 – role Moffett Field Keiffer, Rolf Kriken, Sanaz Mazinani, Guiseppe Pellicano, Thomas Dang and our region Ehren Tool, Elizabeth Travelslight, Diego Marcial Rios, War is Trauma prints has played in portfolio by the Justseeds Artist Collective with the Iraq Veterans Against the American military War, and Xiaoze Xie. Special projects include a collaborative mural by Eugene history since the Rodriguez’s design students and winning entries from the Sakhaa On-the-Spot Exhibit about Moffett Field as the Navy’s West Coast 1930s. Explore Peace Art contest. A concurrent display at the California History Center will Master Fighter and Attack base after WWII. exhibits and enjoy feature “The Art of Protest,” a collection of 1960s and ‘70s protest posters from USO style coffee and donuts and casual conversation with Silicon the San Jose Peace and Justice Center. Co- Valley Reads authors Brian Castner and Sue Diaz. sponsored by LiveSV. Limited to 200 and reservations required. Email name, number attending and contact information to [email protected]. Photo ID A reception for the artists will be held on will be required at the Moffett Field entrance gate. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with printmaking demonstrations by Diego Co-sponsored by Moffett Field Historical Society, the Office of Marcial Rios. Congressman Mike Honda, the Office of San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, and the Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman. Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College is open Monday-Thursday, 10 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Moffett Field, Bldg. 126, Severyns Ave., a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, Mountain View. Enter at Main Gate. Event information: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to tour groups by [email protected]. Museum information: 650-964-4024 or Goodbye and Goodluck – appointment. Information: 408-864-5464. Guiseppe Pellicano 2 MoffettFieldMuseum.org. Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org Poetry from War: Speaking of War Panel Discussion A Conversation Sunday, March 10 with Poets How does it feel to leave your family, law practice and political career to serve your country? What images are burned into your memory during Brian Turner and David Sullivan five years aboard warships and aircrafts? Do American journalists struggle It should make you shake and sweat, to remain objective post 9-11? How does covering a war for a long period of time affect a reporter’s personal life? Do recent communication nightmare you, strand you in a desert technologies and social media make it emotionally easier – or more of irrevocable desolation, the consequences difficult – for those who are in the field and those who wait at home? seared into the vein, no matter what adrenaline feeds the muscle its courage, no matter These and other questions will be explored by four panelists who will what god shines down on you, no matter describe their time in combat zones and how these experiences affected what crackling pain and anger their lives and perspectives. Speakers are: you carry in your fists, my friend, it should break your heart to kill. Jeff Bush, KRON-TV reporter, who enlisted in the Navy at age 20 and worked as a combat photographer during “Sadiq” by Brian Turner Operation Desert Storm. Tuesday, Feb. 26 Scott Johnson, former Newsweek foreign Brian Turner, author of the award-winning Jeff Bush correspondent and Bureau Chief for 12 collection of poetry, Here, Bullet, and Santa years in the Middle East, Europe and Latin Cruz poet David Sullivan, editor of a multi- America, and the author of the forthcoming memoir The voiced manuscript about the war in Iraq Wolf and the Watchman. Scott Johnson entitled Every Seed of the Pomegranate, are interviewed by Parthenia Hicks, Los Gatos Otto Lee, intellectual property attorney and former Brian Turner Poet Laureate Emeritus. Sunnyvale Mayor, who was deployed to Iraq for a year.
Brian Turner served in Iraq and Tim McGirk, former Time Magazine Bureau Chief Bosnia-Herzegovina and writes of his who covered the wars in Iraq and experience with a direct rawness that Afghanistan, the Isaraeli-Palestinian Otto Lee gives us a glimpse into the psyche conflict and the hunt for al-Qaeda. of soldier-as-witness. He tells us, unflinchingly, the hidden stories that Moderator: Barbara Marshman, often remain locked inside the psyche Mercury News Editorial Page Editor of those soldiers fortunate enough to Tim McGirk return to their homeland. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters, Southwest and San Jose-Santa Clara branches. David Sullivan shows us the Barbara Marshman 2 p.m., Tech Museum of Innovation. [Free public event “back stories” of – you do not need to purchase museum admission] ordinary people trying to survive under the Information: 408-354-1242. extraordinary and unnatural circumstances of war. In his poem, “Unexploded Ordnance”, he writes, “Each is at war with pulse David Sullivan Staged Reading of Back Home rates/and the memory/of those who’ve vanished. /Each wrapped in desert colors, /praying whatever/ comes to them. In home/countries we hold their wires, /wanting not to look.” Kim Vestal Sal Pizarro Shannon Edwards Refreshments and book signing Sunday, March 3 follows. Co-sponsored by LiveSV and The Local celebrities join young actors for this staged reading of Back Home by Harker School Speaker Series. Chicago journalist and author Julia Keller, the story of a family’s reactions when Dad returns from combat with physical and brain injuries. Directed by 7-9 p.m., Nichols Hall Auditorium, Shannon Edwards and featuring radio personality Kim Vestal, Mercury News The Harker School, San Jose. columnist Sal Pizarro, former TV host Brian Adams and community leader/ Information: 408-354-6664. Realtor Elizabeth Monley. Audience discussion with Julia Keller following Parthenia Hicks the performance. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library and LiveSV.
2 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall, Cupertino. Information: [email protected] or 408-354-1242. 3 Location addresses on page 11 Events with Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk Brian Castner will talk about being in combat Friday, March 1, 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble and the difficulties he experienced when he Stevens Creek returned home, as described in his book Reading and book signing. Information: 408-984-3495. The Long Walk. Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m. at Almaden Thursday, Jan. 31, 5 p.m. at Edenvale Branch Library Branch Library Co-sponsored by Friends of Almaden Branch Library. Co-sponsored by Friends of Edenvale Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Information: 408-808-2173. Saturday, March 2, 2:30 p.m. at Saturday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m. at Gilroy Library Campbell Library Brian will be joined by his wife, Jessica, who will Co-sponsored by Friends of Campbell Library. share his combat experience from her perspective. About Brian Castner Information: 408-866-1991. Co-sponsored by Friends of Gilroy Library. Information: 408-842-8207. Brian Castner served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Saturday, March 2, 4:30 p.m. at Willow Glen Branch Library Sunday, Feb. 3, 2 p.m. at Santa Clara officer in the US Air Force from Co-sponsored by Friends of Willow Glen Branch Central Park Library 1999 to 2007, deploying to Iraq Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Co-sponsored by Santa Clara City Library and Santa to command bomb disposal Clara City Library Foundation & Friends. units in Balad and Kirkuk in Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m. at Sunnyvale Library Information: 408-615-2900. 2005 and 2006. After leaving the active military, he became Co-sponsored by Friends of Sunnyvale Library. Information: 408-730-7300. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. at a consultant and contractor, Milpitas Library training Army and Marine Corps Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Co-sponsored by Friends of Milpitas Library. units prior to their tours in Iraq Branch Library Information: 408-262-1171. and Afghanistan. Brian lives outside of Buffalo, New York Co-sponsored by Friends of Evergreen Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Thursday, Feb. 28, 1:30-3 p.m. at Fireside with his wife and four sons. The Room, Campus Center, De Anza College Long Walk is his first book. Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m. at Los Altos Library Talk followed by a moderated panel discussion Information: 650-948-7683. with student veterans. Co-sponsored by De Anza College and its Veteran Services Program and Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m. at Vineland Library. Information: 408-864-8672. “I run every day, twice a day sometimes, out the front door of my Branch Library Co-sponsored by Friends of Vineland Branch Library. Thursday, Feb. 28, 4-5:30 p.m. at Kennedy peaceful suburban home, past sticky Information: 408-808-2173. Commons, Santa Clara University blast scenes of sewage and motor Conversation moderated by a faculty member from oil, and bloody swamps of trash and the Psychology Department. Co-sponsored by the Santa Clara University Psychology and Counseling debris, ankle deep, filling the road, Special Appearance at Books Inc. sidewalks, shop and house doorsteps. Departments. Information: 408-554-6830. Friday, Feb. 1 I run through dust clouds, blown in Thursday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. at Technology off the desert or kicked up by the helo Both Silicon Valley Reads authors, Auditorium, San Jose City College Brian Castner and Sue Diaz, rotor wash. I run past the screaming Brian will be interviewed on stage by Merylee will read from their books and Shelton, professor of Communication Studies in the women that never shut up, don’t shut take questions before a book Language Arts Department of San Jose City College. up now. I should have made them stop signing. Moderator is L.A. Information: 408-298-2181 x3229. when I had a chance. I run as fast as I Chung, the Los Altos editor of can, as long as I can, my feet hitting the L.A. Chung Patch.com. Friday, March 1, 4:30 p.m. at Santa Teresa pavement in a furious rhythm, along Branch Library. 7 p.m. at Books Inc. Palo Alto. Co-sponsored by Friends of Santa Teresa Branch the river near my home.“ Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Excerpt from The Long Walk
4 Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org Events with Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart Sue Diaz will talk about the emotional Sunday, March 17, 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther rollercoaster her family experienced when King, Jr. Library her son was deployed, as described in her Co-sponsored by Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King, book Minefields of the Heart. Jr. Library. Information: 408-808-2173.
Thursday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill Library Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. at West Valley Co-sponsored by Friends of Morgan Hill Library, Branch Library AAUW Morgan Hill, BookSmart and the Morgan Hill Information: 408-808-2173. Times. Information: 408-779-3196. Thursday, April 11, 12 noon at Technology Saturday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m. at Mountain View Auditorium, San Jose City College Public Library Sue is interviewed on stage by Merylee Shelton, professor of Communication Studies in the Co-sponsored by Friends of Mountain View Public About Sue Diaz Library. Information: 650-903-6897. Language Arts Department of San Jose City College. Sue Diaz is an award-winning Information: 408-298-2181 x3229. Sunday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m. at San Jose author whose work has appeared Woman’s Club in Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, Thursday, April 11, 4:30 p.m. at Seven Trees Enjoy coffee and conversation with Sue and Family Circle, and the Christian Branch Library members of the San Jose Woman’s Club. The public Science Monitor. Her son, a Co-sponsored by Friends of Seven Trees Branch is welcome. RSVP to [email protected]. Purple Heart veteran, served two Library. Information: 408-808-2173. tours of duty in Iraq’s Triangle of Sunday, Feb 3, 2 p.m. at Saratoga Library Death during the height of the Friday, April 12, 11:30 a.m. at Main Building, Co-sponsored by Friends of Saratoga Library. insurgency. While he was there Sorenson Hal, SE2-104, Mission College Information: 408-867-6126. Sue wrote about the war from the Co-sponsored by Mission College. perspective of the home front in a Information: 408-855-5152. Thursday, March 14, 2 p.m. at Montgomery series syndicated by the Monitor. Hall, Evergreen College Those stories were the starting Information: 408-270-6433. point for her book, Minefields of Tea and Talk about the Heart. An advocate of writing Minefields of the Heart Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m. at Woodland as a path to healing, Sue has Branch Library led writing workshops for war Thursday, March 14 Information: 650-969-6030. veterans since 2007. Book clubs and individual readers – come together to meet Sue Diaz, Dale Bryant Friday, March 15, 2 p.m. at Berryessa author of Minefields of the Heart, and “This is a story about boxes…It’s Branch Library hear her interviewed by Dale Bryant, Executive Book group discussion of Minefields of the Heart at a brown leather box where I’ve Editor of Silicon Valley Community Newspapers. 1 p.m. prior to author talk. stored notebooks, journal entries, Q&A and a chance to discuss the book while Information: 408-808-2173. essays published with my byline, enjoying light refreshments sponsored by Friends photos, letters, and printouts of of the Los Gatos Library. Reservations required. To Friday, March 15, 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble RSVP, call 408-399-5700 or 408-395-3651 or email online conversations. A scrapbook Stevens Creek [email protected] and leave your Reading and book signing. Information: 408-984-3495. of sorts, filled with bits-and-pieces name, phone, email and number attending. connected mostly to Roman and to Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m. at Pearl Avenue the past few years. 10-11:30 a.m. at History Club of Los Gatos. Branch Library Co-sponsored by Friends of Pearl Avenue Branch My son has his box, too. It is the Library. Information: 408-808-2173. one that soldiers returning from Sunday, March 17, 1 p.m. at India war carry within themselves, Community Center the box that holds everything a Talk followed by a panel discussion. Hosted by combat vet has seen and felt and Indian Business & Professional Women. RSVP to heard and done in the line of duty.” [email protected]. Excerpt from Minefields of the Heart 5 Location addresses on page 11 Films The following films focus on serious topics designed for mature audiences. Some may contain scenes of violence or language inappropriate for children. Viewer discretion is advised.
Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq Poster Girl Actor James Gandolfini interviews 10 soldiers and Robynn Murray was an all-American high school Marines about their feelings on their future, their physical cheerleader who became the poster girl for women in and psychological disabilities, and their devotion to combat. But since returning from Iraq, she has fought America. The documentary surveys the physical and an insidious foe: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). emotional costs of war through memories of their “alive This Academy Award-nominated documentary follows day,” the day they narrowly escaped death in Iraq. Watch Robynn over the course of two years as she embarks on a clip on YouTube.com/watch?v=ots2hCtYu-A a journey of self-discovery and redemption through art and poetry. The film also received two Emmy nominations. Watch a trailer on YouTube. Wed., Feb. 6, 6-7:15 p.m. at Berryessa Branch Library com/watch?v=N6eNFRvRC44 Sat., March 9, 2-3:15 p.m. at Cupertino Library Thur., March 21, 4-5:15 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library Sat., March 2, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Berryessa Branch Library Thur., March 7, 4-4:45 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library Combat Diary: The Marines of Sun., March 17, 3-3:45 p.m. at Sunnyvale Library Wed., March 20, 6-6:45 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch Library Lima Company Mon., March 25, 2-2:45 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library This Emmy-nominated film made in 2005 by A&E Tue., March 26, 6-6:45 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library Television profiles the Marine company from Columbus, Ohio that suffered from the highest casualty rate in the Iraq War. It includes photographs and footage shot by Striking a Chord Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated the soldiers themselves and focuses on both those who and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as are in combat and their families back home. The documentary concludes can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This 30-minute that an entire community was brought together in pride and grief and documentary explores what happens when exhausted that the film “offers a powerful testament to the strength and courage of and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of ordinary people living and fighting under the extraordinary circumstance America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. of war.” Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American Sat., Feb. 2, 2:30-4 p.m. at Hillview Branch Library military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and Mon., March 11, 2-3:30 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas. Watch a trailer on YouTube.com/watch?v=X5f2k-h4ZE0 Iraq Paper Scissors Sun., Feb. 3, 3:30-4 p.m. at Saratoga Library Director Sara Nesson takes us into the lives of five Iraq Thur., Feb. 7, 7-7:30 p.m. at Gilroy Library War veterans with PTSD over the course of two years Wed., Feb. 27, 7-7:30 p.m. at Milpitas Library as they discover they have dreams and talents beyond Sat., March 2, 2-2:30 p.m. at Campbell Library machine guns and combat. This documentary Sat., March 9, 3:15-3:45 p.m. at Cupertino Library intimately captures the young men and women deconstructing their uniforms, while sharing their memories as soldiers and talking about their uncertain futures as civilians. Through following their creative and The Soldier’s Heart This PBS Frontline program was originally broadcast emotionally difficult yet healing journey, the dark space that war occupies in 2005 when the first measures of the war in Iraq’s in their minds gives way to light. It allows us to see more clearly veterans psychological toll started to come in. The film tells the who refuse to be forgotten and, more importantly, ask to be understood. stories of soldiers who have come home haunted by Sun., March 17, 3:45-4:45 p.m. at Sunnyvale Library their experiences. The military teaches soldiers how Wed., March 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Berryessa Branch Library to fight, how to kill, how to survive. But who teaches Mon, March 25, 2:45-3:45 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library them how to live with themselves? Watch a clip on YouTube.com/ watch?v=V5urJL4rq1w Let There Be Light Thur., March 14, 4-5 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library This legendary World War II documentary made by Sat., April 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Berryessa Branch Library John Huston was produced by the U.S. Army in 1945 and took an unprecedented look into the psychological wounds of war. It pioneered unscripted interview Silicon Valley Reads 2013 film showings are co-sponsored by LiveSV. techniques and was highly controversial at the time. The film was recently digitally restored by the National Film Preservation Foundation. Mon., March 4, 2-3 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library
6 Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org Book Discussion Groups The public is welcome to join any of the following book discussions. Discuss The Long Discuss both The Online Book Clubs Walk Long Walk and Both San José Public Library Minefields of the and Santa Clara County Thursday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m., Heart Library District offer online ESL Book Group at Tully book clubs. Connect with Community Branch Library Wednesday, Feb. 6, fellow readers and enrich Tuesday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen your reading experience Wartorn: 1861-2010 Gilroy Library Branch Library by sharing different points This HBO documentary of view through online Friday, Feb. 1, 10:15 a.m. at Wednesday, Feb. 13, chronicles the lingering discussion. For San Jose Gilroy Library 7-8:30 p.m. at Mountain effects of combat stress and View Public Library Public Library, visit the post-traumatic stress on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. website SJPL.org/ebookclub. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. military personnel and their at Sunnyvale Public Library For Santa Clara County families throughout American at Los Gatos Library Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Library District, visit history, from the Civil War through the conflicts SCCL.org/svr-club. in Iraq and Afghanistan. It shares the personal at Vineland Branch Library stories of soldiers through letters and journals, Thursday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m. at photos and combat footage, and first-person Rose Garden Branch Library interviews of veterans of WWII, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watch a trailer on YouTube. Speakers com/watch?v=MvIrpyzpcR4 Operation Freedom Paws Why World Peace Is Possible and Sat., March 2, 2-3:15 p.m. at Mary Cortani is founder How We Can Achieve It Saratoga Library of Operation Freedom Wednesday, Feb. 27 Mon., March 4, 6-7:15 p.m. at Santa Clara Paws. Her Gilroy nonprofit Iraq War veteran, West Point Central Park Library organization helps graduate and peace activist Film followed by speakers from United veterans train their own Paul K. Chappell discusses how Veterans Council and Sons of Union Veterans service dogs, a step in Mary Cortani he learned at West Point and of the Civil War. healing their invisible in the army that world peace Wed., March 20, 6:45-8 p.m. at wounds of war. Mary has been nominated is possible. He explains how Paul K. Chappell Santa Teresa Branch Library as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2012. military history shows that human beings Tue., March 26, 6:45-8 p.m. at Mary will be joined by some of her clients are not naturally violent. He also debunks the Tully Community Branch Library and their 4-legged friends. “Gandhi myth” and describes how waging Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill peace is strategically superior to violence in Where Soldiers Library. Information: 408-779-3196. solving our national and global problems. Come From Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. at Gilroy From a snowy small town in Library. Information: 408-842-8207. While on active duty, Chappell wrote two Northern Michigan to the books, Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of mountains of Afghanistan Day of Remembrance Peace for the 21st Century and The End of War: and back, this documentary Tuesday, Feb. 26 How Waging Peace Can Save Humanity, Our follows the four-year journey The California History Center sponsors Planet, and Our Future. He is also the author of childhood friends, forever changed by war. the 11th annual De Anza College Day of Peaceful Revolution: How We Can Create the Enticed by a $20,000 signing bonus and college of Remembrance that commemorates Future Needed for Humanity’s Survival. After tuition support, best friends Dominic and Cole the 1942 Executive Order that led to the leaving active duty in November 2009, he join the National Guard after graduating from imprisonment of more than 120,000 began serving as the Peace Leadership Director their rural high school. Soon their group of Japanese Americans during WWII. This for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa friends joins them, and eventually the young program will discuss the long-lasting Barbara, CA. He speaks throughout the country men are sent to Afghanistan, where they spend psychological and social impacts of the to colleges, high schools, veterans groups, their days sweeping for Improvised Explosive internment and war on survivors. churches, and activist organizations. Devices. By the time their deployment ends, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Hinson Campus Center Presented by Los Altos Voices for Peace and they are no longer the carefree group of friends Conference Room B, De Anza College. sponsored by the Friends of the Library of they were before enlisting. The challenges Information: 408-864-8986. Los Altos. really begin to surface when they return to their families and communities. The film won VA Health Care for Women 7 p.m. at Los Altos Library. the 2012 Independent Spirit Truer Than Fiction Monday, March 25 Information: 650-948-7683. Award and was nominated for an Emmy Linda Kleinsasser, Women’s Veterans Program Manager at the VA Palo Alto Women Warriors in 2012. Watch a trailer on YouTube.com/ Monday, March 11 watch?v=gWixLvfef0Y Health Care System, discusses “VA Health Care for Women.” Charlotte Bear, Chaplain and Education Director Wed., Feb. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. at at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and a former Joyce Ellington Branch Library 6:30 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park US Army broadcast journalist, discusses Mon, March 18, 2-3:30 p.m. at Library. Information: 408-615-2900. “Supporting Women Warriors, Then and Now.” Santa Clara Central Park Library 6:30 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library. Information: 408-615-2900. 7 Location addresses on page 11 Closing Event of Special Activities Silicon Valley Reads Thank You for Serving Letter Combat Paper Project Art 2013 Writing Campaign Workshops Express your appreciation for our troops by writing Saturday, March 9 Saturday, April 13 them a letter or even drawing a picture. Participating The Combat Paper Project Our two featured libraries will be collecting these messages of gratitude authors, Brian Castner utilizes art-making workshops and support, and will forward them on to an active duty to assist veterans in reconciling and Sue Diaz, come serviceperson or veteran. Take a few moments to say back together for a Brian Murphy and sharing their personal thank you for their service and sacrifice! We’ll make sure experiences. Through conversation about their books your messages get sent to our troops, whether they are Drew Cameron and the Silicon Valley Reads papermaking workshops serving at home, abroad, or are recovering in a military veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to experience, moderated by De Anza hospital. Check with your library for more details. College President Brian Murphy. create cathartic works of art. Workshops will be Announcement of winners of the Knit-In for the Troops led by co-founder and director Drew Cameron Cupertino Library Foundation Thursday, Jan. 17 with artist Ehren Tool. The workshops are open Essay Contest follows, along with to everyone, veterans and civilians, and are free Los Altos Library hosts a knit/crochet-in to benefit of charge. Pre-registration required by email to book signing. Co-sponsored by those touched by war. Join us to make needed Cupertino Library Foundation. [email protected]. Please indicate which items for active duty soldiers, wounded veterans, workshop you want to attend. 1:30 p.m. at Cupertino and Afghani families. We will be sending items to Community Hall. the following charities: Operation Gratitude, Soldiers 10 a.m. – 12 noon and 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Information: 408-446-1677. Angels, and Afghans for Afghans. Refreshments Euphrat Museum of Art, De Anza. provided by Friends of the Los Altos Library. Information: 408-864-5464. 3-5 p.m. at Los Altos Library. Wartime Memories: Stories in Information: 650-948-7683. Time of War Care Package Collection Saturday, March 23 February-March Did you serve on the front lines as a medic? a soldier? a cook? Did you wait at home for a South Bay Blue Star Moms and Cupertino Library member of the family to return from war? The invite the public to donate items for care packages Gilroy Library is interested in the story of your sent to soldiers on active duty. Drop off at Cupertino experiences in times of war. Veterans of any Library during open hours. Most requested items are war and their families are invited to tell their power bars, beef jerky, instant coffee and cocoa, tea, story at the Wartime Memories event. For more sunflower seeds, nuts, instant oatmeal, tuna in foil information, contact Lani Yoshimura, Memories@ packs, DVD movies, music CDs, comic books, crossword sccl.org or 408-842-8207 x3400 or visit SCCL.org puzzles, sunscreen and lotions. For a complete for details. list of items needed by troops, visit the website SouthBayBlueStarMoms.org and click on Support. 2-4 p.m. at Gilroy Library. Cupertino Library. Information: 408-446-1677.
Essay Contest Pulitzer Prize journalist & author Julia Keller for Cupertino Teens & Pulitzer Prize winning journalist About Back Home Adults Julia Keller wrote a series of Rachel “Brownie” Browning is 13 when her father comes back articles about traumatic brain from the war in Iraq. Of course she understands that he has Adults and teens in grades 9-12 been injured and that he will be a little different, at least who live in Cupertino are invited injury for the Chicago Tribune in for a while. But Brownie doesn’t even know the man with a to participate in the annual Essay 2004 and became more aware prosthetic arm and leg who sits in the living room day after Contest sponsored by the Cupertino of American soldiers returning day. He’s certainly not the father who helped her build a fort Library Foundation. The essay home from Iraq and Afghanistan in her backyard, or played basketball with her sister, or hauled her little brother around like a sack of potatoes. contest question is: Reflect on a with invisible wounds of war. Julia Keller difficult personal experience with This background inspired Back Brownie’s mother says that because which you, your family or a friend Home, a novel for grades 5-8, that describes one of his traumatic brain injury, their were involved. What lessons did you family’s reaction when Dad returns home with father needs affection and patience. learn from either of the Silicon Valley physical and brain injuries. Julia will talk about He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t talk. He how and why she wrote this book, and also won’t even get out of his wheelchair, Reads books that would be helpful in even though the doctors have taught dealing with this experience? answer questions about her most recent book, A Killing in the Hills, a mystery novel for adults. him how and say that walking is essential to his recovery. Brownie Grand prize winners (2 winners, 1 Monday, March 4, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library. begins to wonder, will her family ever adult and 1 teen) each receive $500. Information: 408-867-6126. be able to return to the way life was Second place prizes of $300 go to 1 before the war? Back Home tells the Gr 5-8 Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. at Santa Clara tale of families scarred and the battle adult and 1 teen. Entries due March Central Park Library. Information: 408-615-2900. just beginning when their wounded loved ones return home. 18. For information and entry forms, visit CupertinoLibraryFoundation.org A Staged Reading of Back Home will be presented on Sunday, 8 March 3. See description on page 3. Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org For Children and Families Brenda Ehrmantraut, author of Night Catch Stars Keep Us Connected Brenda will read Night Catch and talk about how the Friday, Feb. 8 book was important to her family when her brother This special program for families features was deployed. The following events marked with a star a reading of Night Catch by author also include a craft activity that children can take home. Brenda Ehrmantraut, a preview of an Tuesday, Feb. 5 animated version of Night Catch created 10 a.m., Materials Fair for Teachers and School Librarians, Santa Clara by the Mayborn Planetarium in Texas County Office of Education. Information: 408-453-6670. and a 30-minute tour of the night sky. Limited space available so reservations are required by emailing [email protected]. No children *7 p.m. at Campbell Library. Information: 408-866-1991. under 5. Parking permits in De Anza lots are $3. Wednesday, Feb. 6 5-6 p.m. at Fujitsu Planetarium, De Anza College. *11:30 a.m. at Cambrian Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Information: [email protected] or 408-354-1242. *4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Information: 408-808-2173. *6 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. Thursday, Feb. 7 About Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut *11:30 a.m. at Berryessa Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. When a soldier’s work takes him halfway *7 p.m. at Saratoga Library. Information: 408-867-6126. around the world, he enlists the help of Friday, Feb. 8 the North Star for a nightly game of catch *11:15 a.m. at Almaden Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. with his son. Night Catch is a timeless story that connects families while they Saturday, Feb. 9 are apart and offers comforting hope *12:30 p.m. at Willow Glen Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. for their reunion. The book has been *3 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. endorsed by the Military Child Education Coalition, United Through Reading and Sunday, Feb. 10 PreK-Gr 2 Army Wife Network. 1 p.m. at Los Gatos Library. The first 20 families will receive a copy of Night Catch to take home, compliments of the Los Gatos Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Information: 408-354-6894. 3 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library. Information: 408-615-2916.
Mary Nethery, co-author of Nubs: About Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Marine and a Miracle Nubs was co-authored by Brian Dennis, a Miracle Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery. Nubs, Mary Nethery will read an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home and talk about writing the or a person of his own. He was the book. A video interview leader of a pack of wild dogs living off of Major Brian Dennis and the land and barely surviving. But Nubs’s Nubs will be shown. life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The two formed a fast Gr 2-5 Monday, March 11 friendship, made stronger by Dennis’s 4 p.m. at Los Gatos Library. willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs Information: 408-354-6894. the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became Tuesday, March 12 part of Dennis’s human “pack” until duty required the Marines to relocate a 4 p.m. at Gilroy Library. full 70 miles away–without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines Information: 408-842-8207. were not allowed to have pets. 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library. Information: 408-808-2173. So began an incredible journey that would take Nubs through a freezing Wednesday, March 13 desert, filled with danger to find his friend, and would lead Dennis on a 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Information: 408-808-2173. mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world. Nubs and 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill Library. Information: 408-779-3196. Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.
Nubs, a New York Times bestseller, is nominated for the California Young Reader Medal, and is the recipient of 10 State Children’s Choice Awards, The Christopher Medal, and the National Parenting Publication Gold Award. 9 Location addresses on page 11 Celebrity Storytimes
Evan Low Maggi Scura Mike Wasserman Lissa Kreisler Sal Pizarro Thur., Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. Tue., Feb. 19, 7:15 p.m. Thur., Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. Tue., March 5, 7:30 p.m. Sun., March 10, 2 p.m. at Campbell Library at Campbell Library at Los Gatos Library at Saratoga Library at Santa Clara Central Campbell Mayor Evan TV news journalist and host Santa Clara County KBAY radio personality Park Library Low reads Night Catch at Maggi Scura reads Nubs at Supervisor Mike Wasserman Lissa Kreisler reads Nubs. Mercury News columnist the Preschool Storytime. a Family Storytime. reads Night Catch. Information: 408-867-6126. Sal Pizarro reads Nubs. Information: 408-866-1991. Information: 408-866-1991. Information: 408-354-6800. Information: 408-615-2916. February-March Members of the San José City Council will read from the Silicon Valley Reads children’s companion books at various San José Public Libraries. For dates and times, visit the Library’s website SJLibrary.org or ask at your local library. Rosemary Wells Talks to Parents Especially for Teens of Preschoolers About Reading Press Conference for Teen Journalists Thursday, April 4 Friday, Feb. 1 Rosemary Wells has written and illustrated more than 60 children’s books. The recipient of many Reporters for high school newspapers in Santa Clara County are invited awards, she spearheaded a national campaign for to a special Teen Only Press Conference with authors Sue Diaz and Brian early literacy called “Read to Your Bunny.” Castner. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library, Santa Clara County Office of Education and LiveSV. To reserve your press credentials and receive In this special presentation for Silicon Valley background information, call 408-354-1242 or email [email protected]. Reads and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, she 4-5 p.m. at Cupertino Community Hall. will talk to parents about the importance of reading to their children 20 minutes a day and Teen Book Groups how to pick books that will keep the attention Rosemary Wells of preschoolers. She will provide pointers on All teens are welcome at these gatherings to discuss Purple Heart by how to read illustrated books aloud and answer Patricia McCormick. questions. After children join their Thursday, Feb. 21, 4-5 p.m. at Cupertino Library. parents, she will read Love Waves to the Friday, March 15, 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. families, a book about how to feel close when loved ones are far away.
About Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick Refreshments and each family will take When Private Matt Duffy wakes up in an army home a copy of Love Waves. Limited hospital in Iraq, he’s honored with a Purple Heart. space and advance registration required. But he doesn’t feel like a hero. There’s a memory Sign up on the website First5Kids.org. that haunts him: an image of a young Iraqi boy as 10 a.m. at FIRST 5 Community Room. a bullet hits his chest. Matt can’t shake the feeling Information: FIRST5Kids.org. that he was somehow involved in his death. But because of a head injury he sustained just moments after the boy was shot, Matt can’t quite put all the pieces together. Silicon Valley Reads Remembers Leigh Weimers Teens Eventually Matt is sent back into combat with his squad—Justin, Wolf, and Charlene—the soldiers Leigh Weimers, long-time Mercury News columnist who have become his family during his time in Iraq. He just wants to and a founding member of the Silicon Valley Reads Community Advisory Board, passed away in go back to being the soldier he once was. But he sees potential threats Leigh Weimers everywhere and lives in fear of not being able to pull the trigger when September, 2012 at the age of 76. the time comes. In combat there is no black-and-white, and Matt soon discovers that the notion of who is guilty is very complicated indeed. Leigh took an active role each year in selecting the book(s) for Silicon Valley Reads and was always available to help greet guests at the Kick- Off event, read a book at a library storytime, or participate in a panel discussion. He challenged us to be bold and creative in our programs.
We miss Leigh and the significant role he played in the success of Silicon Valley Reads, and we welcome his wife Geri to the Board to continue the Weimers tradition. 10 Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org Silicon Valley Reads 2013 Event Locations
Almaden Branch Library Evergreen College Mission College Saratoga Library 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose 3095 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose 3000 Mission College Blvd., 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga Santa Clara Barnes & Noble Stevens Creek FIRST 5 Seven Trees Branch Library 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose 4000 Moorpark Ave., San Jose Moffett Field Historical Museum 3590 Cas Dr., San Jose Bldg. 126, Severyns Ave., Berryessa Branch Library Fujitsu Planetarium Sunnyvale Library Mountain View 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose De Anza College 665 W. Olive St., Sunnyvale 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino Morgan Hill Library Books Inc. Palo Alto The Tech Museum 660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Gilroy Library 201 S. Market St., San Jose 350 W. Sixth St., Gilroy Mountain View Public Library Cambrian Branch Library Tully Community Branch Library 585 Franklin St., Mountain View 1780 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose The Harker School 880 Tully Rd., San Jose 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose Pearl Avenue Branch Library Campbell Library Vineland Branch Library 4270 Pearl Ave., San Jose 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell Heritage Theatre 1450 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell Rose Garden Branch Library Cupertino Community Hall West Valley Branch Library 1580 Naglee Ave., San Jose 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino Hillview Branch Library 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., 1600 Hopkins Dr., San Jose San Jose City College San Jose Cupertino Library 2100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose 10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino History Club of Los Gatos Willow Glen Branch Library 123 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos San Jose Woman’s Club 1157 Minnesota Ave., San Jose De Anza College 75 S. 11th St., San Jose 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino India Community Center Woodland Branch Library 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas Santa Clara Central Park Library 1975 Grant Rd., Los Altos Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose Joyce Ellington Branch Library 491 E. Empire St., San Jose Santa Clara County Office Edenvale Branch Library of Education 101 Branham Lane East, San Jose Los Altos Library 1290 Ridder Park Dr., San Jose 13 S. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos Euphrat Museum of Art Santa Clara University De Anza College Los Gatos Library 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino 100 Villa, Los Gatos Santa Teresa Branch Library Evergreen Branch Library Milpitas Library 290 International Circle, San Jose 2635 Aborn Rd., San Jose 160 N. Main St., Milpitas
Past Silicon Valley Reads Selections
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
The Muslim Next Door The Butterfly Mosque The Year of the Fog In Defense of Food Not a Genuine Black Man The Distant Land of Sumbul Ali-Karamali Willow Wilson Michelle Richmond Michael Pollan Brian Copeland My Father Bo Caldwell
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Tortilla Curtain When The Emperor Was Divine The Souvenir Epitaph for a Peach Fahrenheit 451 Breaking Through T.C. Boyle Julie Otsuka Louise Steinman David Mas Masumoto Ray Bradbury Francisco Jimenez
11 Thank you to the individuals and organizations who support Silicon Valley Reads!
2013 SPONSORS
THE MICHAEL AND ALYCE PARSONS FOUNDATION
Friends of Cupertino Library
Campbell Union High School District Friends of Morgan Hill Library Friends of Willow Glen Library Friends of Almaden Branch Library Friends of Mountain View Public Library San Jose Public Library Foundation Friends of Campbell Library Friends of Pearl Avenue Branch Library San Jose Woman’s Club Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library Friends of Santa Teresa Branch Library Santa Clara City Library Friends of Edenvale Library Friends of Saratoga Library Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends Friends of Evergreen Branch Library Friends of Seven Trees Branch Library Santa Clara County Library District Friends of Gilroy Library Friends of Sunnyvale Public Library Santa Clara County Office of Education Friends of Los Gatos Library Friends of Tully Community Branch Library Santa Clara University Friends of Milpitas Library Friends of Vineland Branch Library MEDIA PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
AAUW – Morgan Hill Harker School Office of San Jose Mayor Saratoga Library Asian Americans for Community India Business & Professional Chuck Reed Sons of Union Veterans of the Involvement Women Office of Santa Clara County Civil War Barnes & Noble League of Women Voters – Supervisor Mike Wasserman South Bay Blue Star Moms Books Inc. Southwest and San Jose- Operation Freedom Paws Sunnyvale Library California History Center Santa Clara chapters our developing world The Tech Museum Campbell Library LiveSV San Jose City College United Veterans Council Center for Survivors of Torture Los Altos Library San Jose Peace & Justice Center Veterans for Peace, Chapter 101 Collins Foundation Los Altos Voices for Peace San Jose Public Library Veterans Memorial and Support Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley Milpitas Library Santa Clara County Mental Health Foundation of Los Gatos Cupertino Library Mission College Department, Veteran Outreach Women’s International League for Daughters of the American Moffett Field Historical Society Project Peace & Freedom, San Jose Revolution, Los Gatos Chapter Morgan Hill Library Santa Clara County Reading branch De Anza College Mountain View Library Council Evergreen College Office of Congressman Mike Honda Santa Clara University Gilroy Library COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Co-Chairs Muhammed Chaudhry Julia Hover-Smoot Connie Martinez Josh Russell Nancy Howe Mark Coker Kara Iwahashi Michelle McGurk Carmen Sigler Jane Light Alicia Crank Robert Kieve Mary McLane Marisa Spatafore Angelica Ramsey Jacquie Davidson Deepka Lalwani Diane McNutt Geri Weimers Xavier De La Torre Jack Lucas, Ed.D. Alyce Parsons Board Members Rhonda Farber Rosanne Macek Sal Pizarro Special thanks to Tom Atkinson Alice Gosak Peter Doering, Gail Mason, Diana Bautista Stacey Greenwell Leslie Tanaka and Dale Bryant Margaret Hengel Therese Wiese
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