The Big Read Lakeshore is a community-wide read that takes place annually in Oct and Nov, featuring over 100 FREE events in Muskegon and other Lakeshore Communities. In collaboration with community partners, Big Read brings readers together around four books for different age levels, creating a text set across the entire community so families, classrooms, and neighbors are all engaging with connected ideas, this year focusing on the theme "America's Story: Our Choices Matter." The goal? To foster a culture where reading matters.
Big Read 2026
Big Read: The Circle, by Dave Eggers
Theme: OUR CHOICES MATTER, Questioning Power
A gripping look at a powerful tech company that promises connection and transparency but quietly erases privacy and choice. This novel asks what happens to our democracy when convenience and control go too far.
Middle Read: The Eyes & the Impossible, by Dave Eggers
Theme: OUR CHOICES MATTER, Finding Freedom
A Newbery Award-winning adventure told by Johannes, a fearless dog who patrols a city park. Through humor and heart, the story explores freedom, responsibility, and finding your place.
Little Read: What Can A Citizen Do?, by Dave Eggers
Theme: OUR CHOICES MATTER, Becoming a Citizen
An introduction to civic life that shows kids how small actions can make a big difference in a democracy. This book empowers young readers to speak up, participate, and care for their community.
Mini Read: You Hold Me up, by Monique Gray Smith
Theme: OUR CHOICES Matter, Caring for One Another
A moving picture book about kindness, respect, and helping one another. Rooted in Indigenous teachers, it reminds us that our actions can lift others up.
In Oct and Nov, we encourage readers to attend the events organized by community partners that explore the themes through lectures, dance/music, food, film, play groups for kids, and StoryTrail in parks. All Big Read programs will be included in this enewsletter in September.
The capstone event will be an Author Talk with Dave Eggers on November 17th at 7 PM at the Frauenthal. Register for this FREE event at madl.org/calendar. More details to come!
Big Read Muskegon Partners:
Community Foundation for Muskegon County
Career Tech Center
Great Start Collaborative
Hackley Public Library
White Lake Community Library
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Area ISD
Muskegon Museum of Art
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