An Evening with the Tuskegee Airmen

Wow, it's been awhile since we posted. Books to Bridge members, along with Northwest Literacy Coalition members have delivered more than 400 Lit Kits to all schools, public libraries and colleges in 7 Northwest Indiana counties. Whew!

Books to Bridge partners are conducting book discussions, showing films, and planning programs. Check our website, www.books2bridge.org and see the Calendar of Events for a program near you.

Speaking of the calendar, mark YOUR calendar for a special free program Tuesday, October 18! "An Evening with the Tuskegee Airmen" is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary (Bergland Auditorium in Savannah Hall). As you recall, our 2011 selection, "Hart's War," is a story about a murder trial inside a German POW camp, in which the fictional defendant is a Tuskegee Airman. Learn about these real-life aviators, hear their stories, and meet a few of them in person at this event, inspired by John Katzenbach's novel.

Many thanks to our program partners: Gary Literacy Coalition, Methodist Hospitals and IUN's Offices of Diversity Programming, Student Life and Multicultural Affairs. And, of course, to the Tuskegee Airmen! We hope to see you Tuesday. The program is free and open to the public. Bring your friends!

Schools and libraries, get ready for Lit-Kits

Members of the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition and its partners, along with members of Books to Bridge the Region, will again deliver "Lit-Kits" to schools and libraries throughout Lake, Porter, Jasper, LaPorte, Newton, Starke & Pulaski counties. The Lit-Kits will contain red noses, bookmarks, and one or more of this year's Books to Bridge titles. Look for it near the end of August/beginning of September.

NWILC celebrates Time Out for Reading on Fri., Sept. 30 from 10 to 10:15 a.m. Read either silently or aloud, by yourself or in a group.

Books to Bridge getting set for Fall 2011

June already! We will again partner with the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition and other literacy groups to bring Lit Kits to all schools, public libraries and colleges in seven Northwest Indiana counties.

We're also putting the finishing touches on our reading guide. Uh, maybe we should mention what books were chosen...

Adult: Hart's War by John Katzenbach - In a German POW camp, Tommy Hart, a law student-turned-navigator, is ordered to defend a Tuskegee Airman charged with murder.

Young Adult: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne - Young Bruno, whose father is a German officer, befriends a young Jewish boy.

Children's: Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming (who was born in Michigan City!); illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen - After World War II, Katje's town in Holland is assisted by aid boxes from America.