The Big Read in Virginia
The Virginia Foundation Center for the Book
Presents
"The Big Read in Virginia"
September 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010
About the Big Read
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and in cooperation with Arts Midwest.
Press Releases
- All Virginians Invited to Read A Lesson Before Dying
- Calling All Book Groups - Win a Free Book Group Kit for A Lesson Before Dying
Big Read Events
- Integration in Charlottesville: Big Read Exhibit
01/03 - 02/28 - Charlottesville, VA EXHIBIT:The Year the Governor Closed the Schools: Integration in Charlottesvill... - Poetry Contest: Young Adult Program
02/01 - 02/28 - Charlottesville, VA Submit a written poem (no more than three minutes long when read aloud) on them... - Writing Your Life
02/10 - Charlottesville, VA Self-expression features prominently in the Big Read's A Lesson Before Dying. Join... - Northside Library: Wednesday Night Book Group
02/17 - Charlottesville, VA In celebration of The Big Read in Virginia, a book discussion of A Lesson Before Dying ... - View VFH Big Read Calendar
Program Partners
A Lesson Before Dying
This novel has a long history of championing social justice. Fiction has the signal ability to embody social ideas in a compelling narrative that possesses both emotional and intellectual power. Ernest J. Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying offers a painful yet inspirational tale of institutional injustice and personal redemption. It addresses the biggest theme possible-how one affirms life in the face of death.
Free Resources
Free resources are available after Sept. 1.
Free shipping to a business addresses.
Shipments to residential addresses will incur a shipping fee.
Contact Susan Coleman (spcoleman@virginia.edu) with the quantity desired and shipping address.
- Reader’s Guides, multiple copies available, up to 1000 copies per address
- Audio Guides, up to 10 per address
- Teacher’s Guides up to 3 per address
- Posters, limit of 10 per address
Online Resources
Big Read Radio
Ernest Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying radio show is narrated by Dana Gioia and features Burl Cain, Ruby Dee, Ernest Gaines, Ash Green, Romulus Linney, Sister Helen Prejean, Ken Yatta Rogers and Cicely Tyson.
Contact Us
Susan Coleman at spcoleman@virginia.edu or 434-982-2983.
