8
BEHIND THE SCENES
FEBRUARY 2�9, 2022
FROM THE
COVER
The Big Read returns with ‘The House on Mango Street’
Go! staff
T
THE BIG READ
his winter, join readers
across Eastern Oregon
as Fishtrap presents the NEA
Big Read in celebration of the
modern American classic “The
House on Mango Street” by
Sandra Cisneros.
Fishtrap has provided more
than 600 free books and re-
sources to schools, libraries and
community centers in Wallowa
and Union counties and will host
weekly online events for the
public at fi shtrap.org.
According to a Fishtrap press
release, “The House on Mango
Street” is “acclaimed by crit-
ics, beloved by children, their
parents and grandparents,
taught everywhere from inner-
city grade schools to universi-
ties across the country, and
translated all over the world.
This landmark story collection is
recognized as one of the most
important contributions to mod-
ern literature.”
Readers of all ages are en-
couraged to fi nd a copy at their
The 2022 selection
is “The House on
Mango Street” by
Sandra Cisneros.
The program kickoff is
a live online interview
with the author on
Wednesday, Feb. 16,
at 6 p.m.
For information and to
join the online events,
go to fi shtrap.org.
Keith Dannemiller/
Contributed photo
Sandra Cisneros
local library or bookstore and
join the conversation.
“It’s remarkable the number
of people who reached out to
tell me how much this book has
meant to them,” said Mike Midlo,
Fishtrap program director. “It’s
an important story, a joy to read,
and sure to inspire important
conversations.”
KICKOFF
To kick off The Big Read,
Fishtrap will host a live online
interview on Wednesday, Feb.
16, at 6 p.m. with the author,
Sandra Cisneros, from her home
in Mexico.
She will be joined by Fish-
trap’s Shannon McNerney as
they talk about the story and its
impact — and take questions
from the public.
Viewers can also access the
video afterward to share in the
classroom, at book group meet-
ings and around the family dinner
table. Then, each following week
will bring new online events and
discussions including resources
on Chicano culture, videos and
even salsa dance lessons to
practice in your living room.
ABOUT THE BIG READ
Since 2006, Fishtrap has
presented The Big Read as a way
to bring a great work of literature
to communities by providing
public events, discussions and
free books to Wallowa and Union
county schools, libraries and the
general public.
This year, Fishtrap is expand-
ing The Big Read even further
by partnering with more Union
County organizations including
Art Center East, Cook Memorial
Library, Eastern Oregon Univer-
sity Library and Catherine Creek
Community Center. The venues
are creating their own set of
events and they will be added to
Fishtrap’s Big Read schedule.
The Big Read is a program
of the National Endowment for
the Arts in partnership with Arts
Midwest. The program is sup-
ported locally by neighborhood
businesses, foundations and
organizations including Commu-
nity Bank, The Bookloft, Oregon
Arts Commission and Pacifi c
Power Foundation.
First Friday at Crossroads
Poetic
Refraction
2020 Auburn Avenue
Baker City, Oregon
541.523.5369
www.crossroads-arts.org
By Suzi Butler and Mary Arnold
Exhibition on display Friday, February 4 through Friday, February 25
Crossroads is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm