To Kill a Mockingbird is an unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it. The book became an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960, and it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.To learn more about The Big Read and To Kill a Mockingbird, please visit these web sites:

• http://www.neabigread.org/books/mockingbird/readers-guide/
• http://www.neabigread.org/books/mockingbird/media/
• www.Broward.org/Library/Read.org

Special Events

• February 7^th - Scouting Great Characters: Writing Workshop with Marjetta Geerling, $40 in advance; $45 at the door, 11AM to 1PM, Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-7444
• February 11^th - Screening of the documentary Hey Boo: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird. Includes discussion led by special guest, Hey Boo filmmaker Mary McDonough Murphy, 6 to 7:45 p.m., Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-7444
• February 14^th - Screening and discussion of a film about people of African descent. Co-sponsored by Khephra Book Club, 2 to 5PM, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282
• February 17^th - To Kill A Mockingbird Dramatic Trial Reenactment. Performed in reader's theater style by local Broward attorneys,discussion to follow, 6 to 7:30PM, Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-7444
• February 21^st - Setting: More Than Just a Backdrop, writing workshop with Deb Sharp, $40 in advance; $45 at the door, 11 a.m. to 1PM, Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-7444            
• February 21^st - Screening and discussion of a film about the economic realities of people of color. Co-sponsored by Khephra Book Club, 2 to 5 p.m., African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282        
• February 28^th - To Kill A Mockingbird Reader's Theater Performed by The PlayGroup, LLC, 1 to 3 p.m., Main Library, 100 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954-357-7444  
• February 28^th - Screening and discussion of documentary about racism in America. Co-sponsored by Khephra Book Club, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282   

Book Discussions

• February 1^st - 2 to 2:45 p.m., Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale, 1 East Las Olas Blvd.,  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, 954-525-5500 
• February 4^th - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065, 954-357-7990
• February 7^th - Screening of a film about Trayvon Martin to follow discussion, co-sponsored by Khephra Book Club 2 to 5 p.m., African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282        
• February 18^th - Discussion of The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee, 1 to 2 p.m., Pembroke Pines Library, 955 NW 129 Ave., Pembroke Pines, FL 33028, 954-357-6750  
• February 19^th - Includes discussion of film, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., West Regional Library, 8601 W Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324, 954-765-1560             
• February 21^st - 3 to 4 p.m., Hallandale Beach Library, 300 S Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, 954-357-6380           

Screenings: Film Based on the book To Kill a Mockingbird

• February 4^th - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33331, 954-357-6580
• February 7^th - 2 to 4 p.m., North Lauderdale Saraniero Library, 6901 Kimberly Blvd., North Lauderdale, FL 33068, 954-357-6660         
• February 14^th -11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Deerfield Beach Percy White Library,  837 E Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, 954-357-7680           
• February 16^th - 3 to 5 p.m., Margate Catharine Young Library, 5810 Park Drive, Margate, FL 33063, 954-357-7500  
• February 19^th - Includes discussion of book, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., West Regional Library, 8601 W Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324, 954-765-1560             
• February 19^th - With Alina Patriche, Ph.D., of Broward College, Noon to 3:30 p.m., North Regional/Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33066, 954-201-2600              
• February 21^st - 2 to 4:15 p.m., Davie/Cooper City Library, 4600 SW 82 Avenue, Davie, FL 33328, 954-357-6399   
• February 24^th - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Margate Catharine Young Library, 5810 Park Drive, Margate, FL 33063, 954-357-7500   
• February 27^th - Includes discussion, 3 to 5 p.m., Hollywood Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33020, 954-357-7760                

Screenings: Documentary on the Life/Work of Harper Lee

• February 1^st - Film free with museum admission, 3 to 5 p.m., Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale, 1 East Las Olas Blvd.,  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, 954-525-5500  
• February 25^th - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065, 954-357-7990

Children and Teens

• February 5^th-27^th - Teen Art Display, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pembroke Pines Library, 955 NW 129 Ave., Pembroke Pines, FL 33028, 954-357-6750
• February 11^th - The Big Read 2015, teens, 4 to 8 p.m., Lauderhill Mall Library, 4257 NW 12 Street, Lauderhill, FL 33313, 954-357-7833
• February 18^th - Family Movie Night, children and families, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Carver Ranches Library, 4735 SW 18 Street, West Park, FL 33023, 954-357-6245
• February 21^st - Creative Writing Program, grades 6-12, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065, 954-357-7990        
• February 21^st - What Makes a Classic:  The Long Happy Life of To Kill a Mockingbird, storytelling program with Caren Neile, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065, 954-340-5000                   
• February 28^th - Teen Rap Contest: Compose a rap based on To Kill a Mockingbird with a group of 3 or 4 and perform live in front of an audience, Lauderdale Lakes Library, 3580 W Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311, 954-357-8650           

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center 2015 Black History Month Essay Competition

The Big Read supports the Broward County African-American Research Library and Cultural Center 2015 Black History Month Essay Competition. This competition is open to students living in, or going to school in Broward County, in grades 4-12.  Interested students are encouraged to submit an original essay and/or a visual piece of artwork on this topic: "In an ideal society, everyone should have the same opportunities and be treated equally, regardless of their race or social status.  Within the past century several events have occurred in America that have changed the nation's perspective of social equality toward Black people. Compare two notable events and describe their impact on society, both past and present."

For high-resolution images, please contact Catherine McElrath, cmcelrath@Broward.org, 954-357-7402.

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