What is the NEA Big Read?
¿QUÉ ES EL NEA BIG READ?
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is one of 61 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host and NEW Big Read project.
The ‘NEA Big Read: Great Lakes Bay Region’ community read is not just a book club, but a series of programs and events centered around one book and its themes with the goal of bringing people together from our neighboring counties. The partner organizations have selected the book ‘The House of Mango Street’ by Sandra Cisneros in part because it is accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities and has a children’s companion book called ‘Hairs/Pelitos’ that helps to ensure everyone in the family can connect around the stories and themes, including ‘neighbors and neighborhoods.’ |
Virtual Artist talk with
Sandra CIsneros
author of
the house on mango street
Born in Chicago in the 50s, Sandra Cisneros grew up with a large family of seven siblings. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts from Loyola University before receiving her Master’s from the University of Iowa.
Cisneros has authored a multitude of novels, poems, and more. Her novel The House on Mango Street (Vintage, 1991) is the inspiration for the NEA Big Read: Great Lakes Bay Region, inspiring the themes of “neighbors” and “neighborhoods” that are the basis for many events and programs under this program. This book won the Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award in 1985 and has sold over six million copies. Cisneros as also been awarded many other accolades for her other works including non-fiction and poetry. Not only has Cisneros found success as an author, she has worked in her communities as a teacher and counselor to high-school dropouts, has taught creative writing at almost ever level, has worked as an arts administrator as well as a college recruiter. She has also founded the Macondo Foundation, an association of socially engaged writers, and the Alfredo Cisneros Del Moral Foundation, a grant-giving institution that served Texas writers for fifteen years. |
Mi Casa, Su Casa
Sharing Stories about Neighbors and the Places we Call Home
This project will also encourage all residents of their cultural heritage to share their stories with the larger community. Stories will be captured in audio and video formats and then shared on the NEA Big Read website with select stories featured on Delta College Public Media NPR radio station.
The sharing of stories will allow residents to connect with each other on a personal level and increase their understanding and respect for each other. Centering the stories around the shared themes of "neighbors" and "neighborhoods" will bring forward both shared and unique experiences. |
The Book
tHE hOUSE ON mANGO sTREET BY sANDRA cISNEROS
"Ah, yes, a home in the heart. I see a home in the heart."
Acclaimed by critics, beloved by readers of all ages, taught everywhere from grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, The House on Mango Street is the remarkable story of Esperanza Cordero. Told in a series of vignettes – sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous–it is the story of a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she will become. Few other books in our time have touched so many readers. Click here for resources for readers and educators. |
BEYOND THE BOOk
CHILDREN'S STORYTIME & Art Activity
ABOUT THIS BOOK
A moving bilingual ode to the unshakeable bond between a parent and child in the tradition of Runaway Bunny and The Wonderful Things You Will Be. If I were a sheep, you would be a lamb. If I were a bear, you would be a cub. As a mother holds her toddler, they muse over the way their love would translate if they were different animals. But no matter how they change, they will always be “us.” This bilingual story is a timeless ode to the unshakable bond between parent and child. Si yo fuera una oveja, tú serías un cordero. Si yo fuera una osa, tú serías un osenzo. Con su niño en brazos, una madre contempla cómo sería elamorentre ellos si fueran diferentes animales. Pero por mucho que cambien,no importa. Siempre serán“nosotros”. Este cuento bilingüe es una oda eterna al lazo irrompibleentre madre e hijo. |
Calendar of events
(Click here for full schedule)
Be sure to check back often for upcoming programs and events related to the NEA Big Read! You'll also get all announcements and updates on our social media, so don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
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Our Partners and SPonsors
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
El proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest.
Additional funding comes from the Hemlock Semiconductor Community and Regional Empowerment Fund, Bay Area Community Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation who provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future, and Saginaw Community Foundation.
Contact us at 989-964-7125 or [email protected] if you would like to partner, participate or collaborate with us.
El proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest.
Additional funding comes from the Hemlock Semiconductor Community and Regional Empowerment Fund, Bay Area Community Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation who provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future, and Saginaw Community Foundation.
Contact us at 989-964-7125 or [email protected] if you would like to partner, participate or collaborate with us.