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Award Winning Author Kicks Off Anti-Hate Summer Reading Program

by The Jewish Federation of Reading

Jun 24, 2021

The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks in partnership with Exeter Community Library and Bring the Change announce the first program in the brand new summer reading program focused on anti-hate. The Anti-hate Summer Reading Program is a diverse community reading and discussion groups for tweens, teens and adults to define and fight hate and racism and create meaningful positive change in Berks County. Our goal is to prepare participants to combat, counter and decrease hate by expanding their reading horizons through diverse and thought-provoking literature. The public is invited to virtual discussions throughout the summer.

The Anti-Hate Summer Reading Program is funded by a $10,000 grant from the Berks County Community Foundation “You Are Here” grant cycle and is a partnership of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks, Exeter Community Library and Bring the Change.

Tweens are invited to join M. Evan Wolkenstein, author of “Turtle Boy”, winner of the 2021 Sydney Taylor Book Award on Tuesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration can be found on the Federation and Exeter Community Library websites. “Turtle Boy” is about growing up, being brave, friendship, drums, turtles and Punk Rock, but it’s also about the things we value, holding dear to our hearts. Some of these values come from ourselves, some from family, and some from our traditions and cultures.

M. Evan Wolkenstein is a high school teacher and writer. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Hebrew University, and the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies. His work can be found in The Forward, Tablet Magazine, The Washington Post, Engadget, My Jewish Learning, and BimBam. He lives with his wife and daughters in the San Francisco Bay Area. “Turtle Boy” is his first novel and winner of the 2021 Sydney Taylor Book Award.

Copies of all the books including e-books and audiobooks are available from the Berks County Public Libraries. All events are free and open to the public. Our goal is to create community conversations about diversity within Berks County through award-winning modern literature.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtf-6urzIvG9HqjHG2As_36yB9MaYR8DbC

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