One Book, One Springfield kicked off Sunday afternoon with around 75 people attending Allen Steele’s keynote address and watching the 1966 Francois Truffaut film version of the book. Allen Steele described the genesis of the book from its inception as a short story in 1951 to the 1953 full-length book. He even had a copy of the story’s original publication in Galaxy Science Fiction, and shared the story’s sometimes humorous illustrations, including a wonderful depiction of the scene I call “an evening with ‘the family’ and Dover Beach.” Being a big fan of Bradbury himself, he was an enthusiastic kick-off speaker. A tidbit for Allen Steele fans – he didn’t stay for the film showing, since he needed to get back to work on his latest book, which he said is related to the Coyote series, but not directly part of it.

The Republican has been giving the story great coverage leading up to the kick-off. Articles appeared on March 21 and March 22. Columnists Carrie Barrepski and Tom Shea each based a column on the One Book project. The individual events have been listed in Sunday’s “Booking It” column. In addition, The Republican generously donated three “Get Fired Up!” ads to help get the word out about One Book, One Springfield.

The Reminder ran a nearly full-page article in their March 15-21 issue that included a phone interview with Ray Bradbury himself. Bradbury said that censorship would be “impossible” here because all aspects of society are watching one another. Agree? Our panelists on the April 5 censorship panel (7 pm in the Central Library’s Community Room) will address that and other burning censorship issues.

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One Book, One Blog

For teens - today's UNlisted section in The Republican includes an article about some of the One Book, One Springfield activities that may be especially interesting to teens, including the "Burning Issues" essay contest and the special art class offered in conjunction with the Museum School at the Quadrangle,"Painting with Mixed Media:The Art of Fahrenheit 451." Check it out online at http://www.masslive.com/unlisted/index.ssf?/base/living-0/11414617696960.xml&coll=1.

The Republican is a supporting media sponsor of One Book, One Springfield.

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One Book, One Blog

The second One Book, One Springfield will be kicking off in less than three weeks! All of our library branches still have copies of the 2006 choice, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. The big kick-off event, featuring award-winning science fiction author Allen Steele's introduction to Fahrenheit 451 and a screening of the 1966 film version of the book, is Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts.

Before the official kick-off, though, there is a special pre-program workshop for those that don't have a lot of experience with book discussion groups. On Tuesday, March 14 at 3:00 in the Community Room of the Central Library, educator Nancy McLaughlin will lead a lively, interactive workshop designed to make participants comfortable with the idea of a book group and ready to get the most out of one. To register, call 263-6828, ext. 294.

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