Tuesday, September 28th, 4:30-6 p.m., The Loft, Main Library

We're going to turn old comics and magazines into fabulous beads. Leave with a new bracelet or necklace! Sign up today as space is limited.Teens only!

Saturday, October 2, 3 p.m., and Sunday, October 3, 3 p.m., Community Meeting Room, Main Library

The Sledding Hill, a stage adaptation of Chris Crutcher's novel produced by B.O.O.K.: Theatre with a Spine.

To celebrate Banned Books Week 2010, The Loft's very own teen theatre troupe, the Bodacious Oracles of Knowledge, presents a stage adaptation of The Sledding Hill, a story about censorship, freedom, ghosts and courage by acclaimed YA author, Chris Crutcher.  Featuring an ensemble cast of teen actors, musicians, and crew, this challenging, provocative production will embody the troupe's slogan, Theatre with a Spine.  Suggested donation at the door: $5.  Recommended for ages 10 & up.

Following the Saturday afternoon performance we will be joined by author Chris Crutcher for a discussion about censorship with the cast and crew, and a Q&A with the audience!  Don't miss it!

Do you act?  Play music?  Draw?  Build?  Work stage crew?  Our theatre troupe is open to anyone who wants to participate.  If you're interested in performing or being involved in any way, please email Jarrett, the production's director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Saturday, October 2, 4:30 p.m., (Following The Sledding Hill), Community Meeting Room, Main Library

A Discussion with Author Chris Crutcher!

Chris Crutcher comes to Evanston!  The acclaimed YA author of Deadline, Whale Talk, Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, and Ironman will speak with the teen cast and crew, and take questions from the audience, following the Saturday, October 2nd performance of The Sledding Hill.  Crutcher, whose books have been challenged and/or banned in several middle schools and high schools across the nation, will discuss censorship, YA literature, reading, writing, and more.  Don't miss this talk with one of the most influential modern YA authors writing today.  

Sunday, October 10, 3-5 p.m., Community Meeting Room, Main Library

The beginning is more than the half. -Aristotle

We become who we are in no small part because of where we have been, where we come from. In this kickoff session for Engage, take Flat Falcon (the Loft's version of Flat Stanley) along with you to revisit the sites of some of your most powerful memories. Capture a photographic record of Flat Falcon's exploits that will become a part of our traveling exhibit. Bring those images to our first session where we will explore memories of growing up, share our photographs, view other images with this theme, and eat pizza.  Who is this Flat Falcon, you ask? Pick up the friendly, feathered Flat Falcon, instructions, and the photography packet in the Loft at least one week in advance. Participants must be Evanston Township High School Students. Register here!