Books Unite Program: Literature to Life in Paterson

NJEDA’s A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program

Literature to Life (LTL) recently received a grant from The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) program.

With this grant, LTL has developed a program in collaboration with Paterson Free Public Library (PFPL) and Passaic County Community College (PCCC). The program will consist of a series of book clubs, live performances, and interactive workshops, cycling through three different LTL Signature Titles along with a summer program. All of these events will be free and open to the public, supported by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program. 

July Program: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Saturday, July 25 at 12:00PM (doors open at 11:00AM)

Paterson Free Public Library

Actor Aurea Tomeski portrays the relationship between young Jonas and his mentor, The Giver. As Jonas trains to become the new Receiver of Memories, the buried truth about the world that he was born into becomes hauntingly clear to both Jonas and the audience. This adaptation challenges audiences to question every value that they have taken for granted and reexamine their most deeply held beliefs. 

Recommended for ages 10 & up

August Program: Zora Folk Tales by Zora Neale Hurston

Saturday, August 15 at 12:00PM (doors open at 11:00AM)

Paterson Free Public Library

The performance follows several of the folk tales featured in Zora’s various compilations, and allows the students to choose what happens next in the action. Through lively audience participation, humor, and classic folk tales, students discover how stories help us understand ourselves, our communities, and the wider world.  Blending performance and interactive learning, Zora Folk Tales celebrates the power of storytelling and encourages every student to recognize the storyteller within themselves.

Recommended for ages 6 & up

September/October Program: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

  • Book Club Meeting: Date TBD. Paterson Free Public Library

    • Join us for a thought provoking evening discussing relevant themes of the book, shared personal experiences, and more, led by an LTL Teaching Artist

  • Live Performances: Date TBD. Passaic County Community College Theater

    • An LTL actor will take the stage and perform LTL’s solo-adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. These performances will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show discussion led by an LTL Teaching Artist

  • Interactive Workshop: Date TBD. Passaic County Community College

    • Connect with the story even further through interactive workshops

Past Events:

March Program: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

  • Book Club Meeting: Monday, March 2 at 6:00PM. Paterson Free Public Library

    • Join us for a thought provoking evening discussing relevant themes of the book, shared personal experiences, and more, led by an LTL Teaching Artist

    • Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 868 3723 1471 — Password: Books)

  • Live Performances: Thursday, March 5 at 1:10PM and 6:00PM. Passaic County Community College Theater

    • Actor Elizabeth Raquel Ramirez will take the stage and perform LTL’s solo-adaptation of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. These performances will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show discussion led by an LTL Teaching Artist

  • Interactive Workshop: Thursday, March 12 at 1:10PM. Passaic County Community College

    • Connect with the story even further through interactive workshops

April Program: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

  • Book Club Meeting: Monday, April 20 at 6:00PM. Paterson Free Public Library

    • Join us for a thought provoking evening discussing relevant themes of the book, shared personal experiences, and more, led by an LTL Teaching Artist

    • Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 868 3723 1471 — Password: Books)

    • Link to Register (recommended, but not mandatory)

  • Live Performances: Thursday, April 23 at 1:10PM and 6:00PM. Passaic County Community College Founders Theater

    • Actor Simon Rabatin will take the stage and perform LTL’s solo-adaptation of The Great Gatsby. These performances will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show discussion led by an LTL Teaching Artist

    • Link to Register for Evening Performance (recommended, but not mandatory)

  • Interactive Workshop: Thursday, April 30 at 1:10PM. Passaic County Community College, Founders Theater

    • The workshop will enhance the connection to the themes and characters in the book.

      Snacks will be provided.