Organizational Description: Four key cities in Southwestern Connecticut (Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Shelton) have created a unique regional approach to The Big Read. The partner communities are coming together to create a comprehensive program that will be accessible not only to residents of the four key cities, but to over 900,000 residents of Fairfield County. The region is densely populated, and is compact enough to allow ease of travel to all events within a 20-mile radius. This combined effort creates a unified approach and the profound impact of hundreds of thousands reading the same book together as one.

Program Description: The region has chosen the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and will present a wide variety of events that are designed to immerse the participants in all aspects of the novel—the historic elements, the themes of diversity and equality, and the Southern traditions woven throughout. This collaboration presents an opportunity for the regional community to read a beautifully written novel that is both evocative of a specific time and place, and relevant to our culture today. The Big Read will help to cement the importance of great literature in our region, place an emphasis on reading and literacy, and bring communities, cities, neighborhoods, and families together to celebrate the gift of books.

To Learn More about Bridgeport’s Big Read events go to http://bplbigread.typepad.com/southwestnctcollaborative/

For information on the Regional Calendar of Events and the NEA Big Read go to www.neabigread.org