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2015 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS ISSUE COGNOTES • 3

Danticat's Book Reveals Hard Truths in Plain Ways

By Barbara Flohr, Student to ALA

Edwidge Danticat was thrilled to be holding the hard copy of her latest book, Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation, for the first time on Monday, June 29, during the Auditorium Speakers Series.

This book has brought about a rebirth for her as an author and was shaped by her own experiences with immigration. Danticat grew up in Haiti under a dictatorship where people were so afraid of the effects of being caught with books that many would bury their libraries in their backyards. Her parents moved to the United States on tourist visas in the 1970’s; however they had to leave Danticat and her brother at home. Fortunately, her parents were able to provide documentation for her and her brother to move to the U.S.

Her love for books began at the age of 12, when she spoke no English. She entered the public library in Brooklyn where she was able to check out 10 books. She could not believe she was able to take that many books, and then the librarians informed her “We want them back.”

In Mama's Nightingale, Danticat set out to “tell hard truths in plain ways.” She has known many families who have gone through arduous journeys when on the path to immigration and wanted to tell a story of hope, but also the true despair that these families felt as well. Her hopes in writing the book are to allow for: realization that people have a voice and can make a difference even when the situation is bigger than they are; comprehension of the power of words; and encouragement to share a story over sitting silent.

Danticat told attendees that the illustrator of her book was inspired by Haitian art, allowing for the creation of beautifully crafted pages showing a child who shares her story, resulting in liberation and freedom.

Edwidge Danticat gives her Auditorium Speaker Series presentation


From Cover to Screen: Evolving Books to Movies

By Rachael Wettenstein, Student to ALA

Joshua Davis, author of Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and The Battle for the American Dream was joined by film producer Rick Jacobs and film critic David Thomson for a wide-ranging discussion that touched on everything from the challenges of creating movies based on books to the meaningless-ness of mankind. The combination Auditorium Speaker Series/United for Libraries President's Program was held June 29.

Davis spent 10 years covering the story of four undocumented Mexican teenagers overcoming all odds to win a high-tech underwater robot competition against teams from elite universities. He told the audience what makes a good story is whether or not it passes “the campfire test. If you can tell a story around a campfire and it holds people's attention, then it's worth writing down,” said Davis.

Producer Rick Jacobs said the challenge of adapting a true story to screen is having to make the choice of where to stay true to the original story and when to make departures in order amplify the narrative — all within 90 minutes.

Film critic David Thompson contextualized the current state of America’s mainstream film industry, expressing that the film industry has generally given up on making good films. Further, he feels today's films largely succumb to the whims of technology in hopes of appealing to a more youthful audience. “Underdog films such as Spare Parts may be nearing an end — along with the business of movie theaters all together,” he said, adding it's not all grim. “It's not about whether film can change the world; it's about keeping hope alive and a part of the conversation.”

Joshua Davis (from left), author of Spare Parts, is joined by producer Rick Jacobs and film critic David Thomson to talk about writing the book, creating the movie, and how movies are judged and reviewed.

Snoopy, honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month 2015, gets a kiss from Lorna Dawes (left), Lincoln, Neb., and Sena Dawes (right), Seattle, Wash., while promoting library cards outside the ALA Store.


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