'Big Read' Program Ends, Let the Discussion Begin

The put a new-school spin on an old-school tactic.

This summer, school and city officials – along with the community at-large – were asked to .

The idea behind the initiative was to celebrate summer reading and “enter into someone else’s mind through storytelling,” English teacher Karen Ballash said.

The novel: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon, a story about a 15-year-old with autism.

Now, the is hosting some events to allow the community to get involved — again.

• The library is showing the award-winning HBO film Temple Grandin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The biopic, on one of autism’s most famous spokespeople, will set the stage for the book discussion the following evening.
• On Friday, the library is hosting the book discussion in the Multipurpose Room at 6:30 p.m.
• Also on Friday, the library is hosting Dr. Roberta Bauer of the Cleveland Clinic. Bauer — who has been recognized as the “Best Pediatrician in America” among many other honors — will discuss child growth and development, developmental disabilities, and alternative therapies in treating autism.