THOMAS KOHNSTAMM
Saturday, May 2
Summit High School
Thursday, April 16
Redmond Library
WELCOME TO A NOVEL IDEA 2026
Now in its third decade, A Novel Idea continues to demonstrate how the power of the written word can strengthen connections and build community, one book at a time. Over the years we’ve traveled through literature to places like Japan and the Moon, and through time—from Ghana in the 1700s to an imagined post-apocalyptic future.
We hope you’ll read and discuss this year’s selections— Supersonic and Hope in the Valley —as well as take part in the thought-provoking events and discussions that will enrich your experience (see page 8), including in-person visits from the authors. It’s your engagement and those discussions that make A Novel Idea the largest community read program in Oregon, and one that continues to inspire the connections that make Central Oregon such a dynamic place to live.
ABOUT THE SELECTIONS
Both 2026 A Novel Idea selections are rooted in the importance of place. Supersonic and Hope in the Valley have at their center the idea that place matters, and the struggle to preserve those places is worth it. Whether it’s saving Stevenson Elementary from destruction for the sake of development or the rebirth of a beloved neighborhood landmark as affordable housing, the main characters in both novels put it all on the line for the places they love.
Turn to pages 4–7 to learn more about the authors and to explore thought-provoking discussion questions centered on both books.
SELECTING THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY READ
Deciding on the A Novel Idea selection is a two-step, nearly yearlong process. It starts in January, only one month after the current title is announced, when a team of community nominators begins reading. By the end of May, they’ve compiled a list of more than 30 promising titles. The advisory team then narrows that list to 10, then fi ve, and finally three books. The final three are sent to the library director for the final decision. The committees use a set of guidelines when considering books, looking for:
A well-written book that explores fundamental human truths and features threedimensional characters that resonate with today’s readers.
A discussable book that appeals to and enriches a wide audience—from devoted book lovers to those who may not yet consider books and reading essential to their lives.
A book that can be supported and discussed by an author willing to participate in a speaking engagement or other public appearances.
A book available in multiple formats (print, electronic, audio, large print, Spanish) and published within the last 18 months.
A book that allows for dynamic programming and does not repeat themes, locations, or structures from recent selections.
The time and dedication that all committee members invest in selecting the perfect book for Deschutes County readers is remarkable, and we thank them for their continued commitment to A Novel Idea.
COMMUNITY NOMINATORS
Christine Bell
Paige Bentley-Flannery
Kayla Duncan
Liz Goodrich
Jess Kuhlman
Amanda Page
Jordan Portier
Becca Reynolds
Chase Reynolds
Deon Stonehouse
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jake Agatucci
Paige Bentley-Flannery
Cassie Clemens
Joel Clements
Liz Goodrich
Lucy Hilburn
Jessica Lorentz-Smith
Lavon Medlock
Becca Reynolds
YOUTH SELECTION COMMITTEE
Paige Bentley-Flannery
Sheila Grier
Elsa Hager
Josie Hanneman
Diana Hernández
Erin Heyl
Megan Hopkins Looney
Andrea Lentz
Chandra vanEijnsbergen
ADULT
ROUNDING OUT THE FINAL FIVE
The Names
by Florence Knapp
“This book has a Sliding Doors approach
to the lives of a family—three alternative paths the family takes depending on the name a woman gives her baby son. This book grapples with domestic violence, the importance of family, grief, and also, how important names can be to a person’s destiny. This is a debut author.”
– Christine Bell, Community Nominator
A Family Matter
by Claire Lynch
“In our current political climate, I believe it’s important to remember human rights for the LGBTQ+ community. This beautiful and moving book tells the story of a family, where the mother disappears when the daughter is three years old. Readers learn that when her father discovered his wife was a lesbian, he went to court to get complete custody of the daughter and the mother was cast off— of course the daughter thinks her mother just abandoned her. This book helps raise important discussions about LGBTQ+ rights in our community.”
– Christine Bell, Community Nominator
Wildfire
Days
by Kelly Ramsey
“This county is threatened by wildfire on an annual basis. Wildfires across the west are growing so huge they make their own weather and travel at phenomenal speeds. Fire is relevant to everyone living in Deschutes County. This is a memoir by a woman who worked hard to become a hotshot, fighting wildland fires. While Kelly is away fighting fires, her community burns.”
– Deon Stonehouse, Community Nominator Tilt
by Emma Pattee
“I flew through this book! The millennial main character, Annie, is nine months pregnant and shopping for a crib at IKEA when the Cascadia earthquake hits Portland. The story follows her journey over the course of the day as she travels across Portland to find her partner and get home. Chapters alternate between the current disaster and past memories of her life and family, all from the perspective of Annie speaking to her unborn child, whom she calls ‘Bean’.”
– Jordan Portier, Community Nominator
ROUNDING OUT THE ADULT TOP 10
The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
Why Animals Talk by Arik Kershenbaum
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall Devil is Fine by John Vercher
Paper Wishes
by Lois Sepahban
“Set during World War II, 10-year-old Manami and her family are forcibly removed from their home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and sent to the Manzanar Japanese incarceration camp. The trauma of relocation leaves Manami feeling voiceless, and she turns to art to communicate and honor the memory of her home and the beloved dog she left behind. Her story explores family dynamics, generational responses to internment, interracial relationships, and the myriad ways we cope with grief and loss to rediscover our voices.
– Elsa Hager, Committee Member
Tear This Down
by Barbara Dee
“Freya has always been outspoken about injustice, ready for a debate, and puts her ethical code first. When doing a project for school, she finds information about her town’s historical hero, Benjamin Wellstone, that brings to light some problematic beliefs about women. Freya, shocked by her discoveries, thinks replacing Wellstone’s statue with a local suffragette, Octavia Padgett, would be a way for the town to move forward but knows that most people in her hometown will not be open to change. With the help of her friends, grandmother, and the local librarian, Freya starts a journey of discovery, friendship, and holding firm in beliefs.”
– Erin Heyl, Committee Member
Displacement
by Kiku Hughes
“A powerful graphic novel that combines time travel with history to explore the lasting impact of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. When teenage Kiku is suddenly ‘displaced’ back to the 1940s, she finds herself alongside her own grandmother in an internment camp, experiencing firsthand the fear, injustice, and resilience of other prisoners. Through the artwork and storytelling, Displacement examines identity, memory, and how the past continues to shape the present, reminding readers why these stories must never be forgotten.”
– Sheila Grier, Committee Member
AN INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS KOHNSTAMM
QUESTION What was your inspiration for Supersonic?
ANSWER My earlier novel Lake City is a more traditional story built around the arc of a single protagonist. While writing it, I found myself pulled deeper into writing about place—into Seattle, Pacific Northwest history, and the forces that shape a community. With Supersonic, I wanted to run with that and try something on a more epic scale: the rise of a Western American city told through layers of more relatable domestic and personal dramas.
Q Change is a recurring theme in Supersonic: how we adapt, grow, pivot, or cling to old ways in the face of a world that is constantly shifting. How did writing the book influence your own perspective of the changes we face in the modern day?
A Some people say that change is the main engine of storytelling. Over time, I’ve come to understand that change is inevitable, and the only control we really have is how we respond to that relentless churn. So, it’s something I think about constantly with my characters. And in most contemporary West Coast cities, you feel this rapid pace of transformation and the constant refrain that things aren’t like the “good old days.” Writing Supersonic brought that into sharper focus—how every cultural wave looks back with a similar mix of nostalgia and unease. Even the seagulls in the prologue are looking back to a time before settlers arrived.
Q Seagulls show up a lot in Supersonic. Does the seagull symbolize something in the novel? Why the seagull and not some other bird from the Pacific Northwest?
A I wanted something that represented time before humans, so the seagull became a stand-in for nature before people, while the big glacial boulder in the book represents time before life altogether. Seagulls felt right—they’re a common coastal bird, loud, squawky, with a bit of a comedic edge. Crows were maybe the more obvious choice, but they carry a lot of Native American symbolic weight. The seagull, the everyday scavenger, is comparatively overlooked, so I thought I’d give them their due.
Q Talk about the role redemption plays in the arc of your characters, specifically Bruce and Masako.
A All the characters in this story are reaching for something just beyond their grasp. Most don’t get what they think they want, but they eventually end up with what they need. For Bruce and Masako, their external status goals pull them in different directions, but ultimately the most important thing is learning to connect with and be present for the people closest to them.
Q Seattle has inspired artists across mediums. What is so artistically compelling about Seattle?
Q What kind of research did you do for Supersonic?
A A lot of the research grew out of my own experience growing up here, but I was also fortunate to have a wide network of friends, family friends, and acquaintances with lived experience—everything from working at Boeing in the 1970s to surviving Japanese American internment. I also had access to historians with deep insight into different eras. So yes, I did plenty of reading and dug into traditional sources, but a huge part of the process was talking with people who helped me imagine what it would actually feel like to inhabit these different characters.
Q What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
A First and foremost, I hope readers enjoy the story and feel engaged by the characters. Beyond that, I’d love for people to come away with a deeper sense of the complexity of Western life and how Pacific Northwest culture came to be.
A lot of people move in and out of this region without really understanding what’s gone into creating the contemporary world we inhabit, and if the book adds some texture and context to that, all the better.
Q When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
A I didn’t know any writers growing up—or really anyone with an artistic career—and I didn’t have much sense of what careers looked like in general. I thought I wanted to be a professor, but my academic interests were too interdisciplinary to fit neatly into a single track. I was always interested in people, though, and in graduate school I realized academia wasn’t for me when even anthropology became about quantifying everything and scoring surveys. I cared more about people’s stories. That interest in human beings has carried through all my work.
But when I think back, I remember watching Stand By Me when I was 10 or 11—the scene at the end with Richard Dreyfuss narrating his childhood and finishing his book—and I recognized a similar quality in myself and how I walk through the world. I felt on a very base level: “Oh, I’m like that guy.”
Q What role have libraries played in your life?
A Some people blame—or credit—the weather, but I think it has more to do with being on the edge of the known world, a place people came to in order to start fresh and live and think in new ways. That’s true for art, but also for entrepreneurial and political undertakings. As a port city, it’s always had just enough population and critical mass to support creative work, but until the rise of the internet, it was still somewhat detached from mainstream American culture. That distance allowed a local ecosystem to develop and even flourish on its own terms.
A I’ve benefited enormously from libraries throughout my life. I was especially inspired by a librarian named Laura Meyer at the Lake City branch of the Seattle Public Library in the 1980s. She always had a flower in her hair, always had great book recommendations, and made reading feel like an adventure. I’ve always loved learning, and libraries made that possible by flattening access and letting everyone chase their interests. I even sold my very first published project, a Costa Rican Spanish phrasebook, to Lonely Planet from a public computer at the Downtown Bend Library in 1998. Libraries have also been places where I’ve done a lot of writing and research in more recent years. I believe good libraries are one of the essential hallmarks of well-functioning society.
AN
WITH MITALI PERKINS
QUESTION When did you know you wanted to become a writer?
ANSWER I always loved words and making up stories and poems. In fact, the poems in Hope in the Valley were written when I was 11 or 12. But I didn’t think about it becoming a career until my second novel came out 12 years after my first novel—after being rejected by 22 different editors who had asked for a revision. When it was finally published, I decided to try becoming an author as my full-time job. I figured if I was crazy (and/or resilient) enough to keep trying after so many closed doors, I might as well be all in!
Q What was your inspiration for Hope in the Valley?
A In California in the 1980s, my family was one of the first Indian immigrants to settle in the Bay Area suburbs, so I wanted to write about that place and era and how it felt to grow up here. More generally, I’ve always been interested in how local government shapes so much of our lives even though we tend to focus more on federal and state governments. Town rules and laws matter, especially when it comes to housing, and citizens can make a big difference in policies. But really, this book is about a girl who, like me when I was her age, didn’t like change and didn’t want to grow up.
Q What role have libraries played in your life?
A When we first moved to the USA, we settled in Flushing, Queens, in New York City. We didn’t have much money but we did live within walking distance of the public library. Thanks to that treasure trove of stories, I quickly turned into a feral reader, wandering the stacks to choose books every week. No adult told me what to read; I just read widely, crossing borders freely and imagining other lives. It was a wonderful habit and still is. To relax, I used to read library books and eat candy. I still do.
Q Pandita’s story is set in the ‘80s. Tell us about why you chose this decade and what you hope young readers will glean from this time period while reading the book.
A I was growing up in the Bay Area during that time and the place was changing as quickly as I was. Orchards were being sold to developers and turned into residential neighborhoods or strip malls. The Silicon Valley wasn’t a center for technology as it is now; it was called the Valley of Heart’s Delight thanks to acres of fruit trees blossoming into splendor every spring. The housing problems we’re facing now have their roots in shortsighted land use planning and zoning set as laws back then. Also, the fast-changing setting provided a good place to put my protagonist, who was also changing fast on the cusp of becoming a teenager.
Q In the fight to preserve the old orchard across the street, Pandita clings to memories of the past while her sister argues that the land should be used to benefit their community in the present. How do we negotiate honoring our own histories and the history of our community while making room for growth and change?
A In the book, I envision how one local, in-real-life community struggled to preserve the best of the past. Each town must somehow integrate that history—both good and painful—into our collective memories and experiences so that they can serve future generations. It takes time, thought, effort, and civil discourse. Sometimes it’s a fiery process that demands compromise. Honoring the past, present, and future can be like weaving a braid, a recurring metaphor in my novel.
Q What do you and Pandita have in common?
A We’re both introverts who love to write and read. We’re shy but fiercely loyal when we love people. We have two bossy older sisters. We hate change.
Q As Pandita copes with the loss of her mother, we see how each member of her family carries this grief in their own unique way. What role does grief play in bringing families together? And in causing rifts between them?
A It can do both—it’s an invitation for a family to draw closer and be vulnerable with one another as we mourn collectively or stay apart and walk alone in grieving. So once the terrible event happens, we’re given a choice. The latter feels easier but ends up causing more pain in my experience.
Q Hope in the Valley is rich with Bengali culture and features especially tasty descriptions of food. Do you have a favorite dish that is featured in the book?
A I love my Mom’s luchis. They are so light and fluffy and complement all her other savory dishes. I wish I could bring some with me and have you taste them during my visit! See you all soon.
SUPERSONIC
1. Supersonic is both the title of the book and a key plotline about a failed technological dream. How does the rise, fall, and aftermath of the supersonic jet serve as a central metaphor for the book? And how is that metaphor replicated in specific character arcs?
2. How does the novel portray the tension between remembering and erasing a place’s past? What, if anything, do you think communities owe to their own history?
3. The title Supersonic suggests speed, ambition, and technological triumph. Where in the novel does progress lift people up, and where does it leave them behind?
4. As old neighbors move out and new ones move in, community becomes something people must consciously build. Do you believe the novel ends on a hopeful note about life and belonging, or a resigned one?
5. Sami’s campaign to rename the school begins as a tribute. At what point does her cause become personal? Is she really trying to honor her grandmother or is she trying to prove something about herself?
6. Many characters face disappointment—personal, professional, or generational. What does the novel suggest about the role of failure in self-understanding?
7. Each character carries a personal mythology about who they are and their place in the world. Which character do you think lies to themselves the most, and why might that lie be necessary?
8. Cities are built on reinvention. Which characters adapt to change successfully, and who resists it? What does reinvention cost them?
9. Much of the story is driven by unspoken grief: lost dreams, lost homes, lost identities. Which character do you think is grieving most deeply, even if they never say so aloud?
10. Team Larry or Team Bruce? No wrong answers.
ALSO BY THOMAS KOHNSTAMM
Lake City (2019)
In Seattle’s Lake City, idealistic striver Lane Bueche plots to win back his estranged wife. To fund his scheme, he accepts a dark assignment: sabotage a local birth mother for a wealthy adoptive couple. Caught between classes and moralities, Lane must decide between his personal ambition and a toddler’s future.
Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? (2008)
Abandoning sanity and a stable career, Kohnstamm accepts a low-paying gig as a travel writer in Brazil. This gritty, scandalous memoir exposes the travel industry’s dark underbelly, where writers battle sleep deprivation and bankruptcy. It’s a hilarious, harrowing race against deadlines that reveals the truth behind the “gospel” of guidebooks.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas Kohnstamm was born and raised in Seattle. He still lives in the same house he grew up in, now with his wife and two children. A freelance writer for more than 20 years, he’s been a Spanish and Portuguese translator, travel writer, and video and animation producer. He has covered subjects ranging from rainforest conservation to quantum computing to backcountry skiing. Supersonic is his third book.
HOPE IN THE VALLEY
1. The quote that opens the novel is “The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough,” by Rabindranath Tagore. Why do you think the author chose this quote?
2. Do you think of Hope in the Valley as a historical novel?
3. Why doesn’t Pandita want things to change? Why is remembering the past and knowing about history important?
4. How does Pandita’s love of words help her communication skills? How does she let others know what she’s thinking and feeling?
5. How do characters demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? Do they get what they want? How important is that?
6. What parallels do you see between the struggles Pandita encounters and your own life?
7. What do you think the title Hope in the Valley means?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mitali Perkins has written many books for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near, a National Book Award nominee, and Rickshaw Girl, which was adapted into a film. Mitali shared her love and gratitude for “living children’s books” in a nonfiction book for grownups called Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls. Her goal is to make readers laugh or cry, preferably both, as long as their hearts are widening. Mitali lives and writes in the East Bay of California, where she lives with her husband. They are the parents of twin adult sons.
ALSO BY MITALI PERKINS
Holy Night and Little Star (2023)
Little Star loves her peaceful Bethlehem sky, fearing the Maker’s big plans. Yet, when called to shine for a miraculous birth, she finds the courage to light the world’s celebration.
Bare Tree and Little Wind: A Story For Holy Week (2022)
Puzzled by a King who defies expectations, Little Wind learns from wise Bare Tree that true strength lies in sacrifice. Together, they discover new life in this lyrical Easter retelling.
Steeped In Stories (2021)
Mitali Perkins revisits seven childhood classics to find hope and virtue for adulthood. By analyzing literary “uncles and aunts” through a modern lens, she explores how these timeless stories can still transform our lives.
You Bring the Distant Near (2017)
Spanning three generations, five Indian-American women navigate sisterhood, forbidden romance, and the struggle to preserve their Bengali heritage. This sweeping tale explores the complex inheritance of culture while redefining what it means to belong.
SUPERSONIC EVENTS
Supersonic Book Discussions
Explore the themes and ideas of Supersonic by discussing the book with friends and neighbors.
Thursday, April 2 • 1:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Saturday, April 11 • 10:00 a.m.
Larkspur Community Center
1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend
Monday, April 20 • 6:00 p.m.*
Online only; register for access
Friday, April 24 • 1:30 p.m.
Thump Coffee
25 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend
Monday, April 27 • 4:30 p.m.
Sunriver Books
57100 Beaver Dr, Bldg 25, Sunriver
Tuesday, May 6 • 6:00 p.m.
Roundabout Books
900 NW Mt. Washington Dr, Bend
Mental Asylums in Fiction: Sanity, Conformity, and Control*
Supersonic’s hapless Larry Dugdale is an aviation machinist who falls into involuntary institutionalization. Who decides what’s sane— and who benefits from that decision? Explore how the mental asylum has long served as a powerful metaphor in fiction with writer and teacher Joel Clements. Registration required for the April 7 event.
Thursday, April 2 • 5:15 p.m.
Sisters Library
Tuesday, April 7 • 6:30 p.m.*
Roundabout Books
900 NW Mt. Washington Dr, Bend
From Skyliner to Mt. Bachelor: Celebrate Bend’s Skiing History and People
Early in his life, Supersonic’s “Loose Bruce” was an avid skier. Celebrate the people and places that fostered Bend’s early ski community with a talk by local historian Steve Stenkamp and a screening of Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation’s award-winning documentary on the life and vision of Mt. Bachelor’s local founder, Bill Healy.
Thursday, April 2 • 6:00 p.m. 10 Barrel Brewing East Side 62950 NE 18th St, Bend
Discover Steller Jay Creative
In Supersonic, Sami Hasegawa-Stalworth is on a mission to save the school by fundraising for a STEAM lab. Stellar Jay Creative features many of these same goals, highlighting creative learning through technology, engineering, and art. Come check out the space; open to all ages.
Friday, April 3 • 5–6:30 p.m. Stellar Jay Creative 369 NE Revere St, Ste 107, Bend
SUPERSONIC MAIN EVENT*
A Novel Idea Author Thomas Kohnstamm
Visit dpl.pub/anovelidea
Join us for this capstone event, when author Thomas Kohnstamm takes the stage at Summit High School to discuss his book, his writing process, and more. Free tickets are required and available online (dplfoundation.org) staring April 4.
Saturday, May 2 • 4:00 p.m.
Summit High School
2855 NW Clearwater Dr., Bend
My Father’s Story: WWII Japanese-American Internment Camps*
Supersonic’s fictional Masako Hasegawa was a Japanese-American internment camp survivor. Longtime Bend resident John Nakada was an 11-year-old U.S. citizen when he was incarcerated at a camp. His daughter, Yukiko Flennaugh, shares the stories and experiences of John, who is now 95 years old. Registration required for the April 7 event.
Tuesday, April 7 • 3:00 p.m.*
Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center 57250 Overlook Rd, Sunriver
Wednesday, April 8 • Noon Sisters Library
Hendrix: An Evolutionary Force in Pop Culture (13+ YRS)
In Supersonic, Ruth Hasegawa navigates young adulthood in the ‘70s. Though her mother urges her towards classical music, Ruth is drawn to the music of her own generation. Learn more about (and listen to) songs by a musical icon of the times, Jimi Hendrix.
Tuesday, April 7 • 3:30 p.m. Redmond Library
Tuesday, April 21 • 3:30 p.m. Sisters Library
Needle Felted Mini Landscape* (13+ YRS)
Supersonic travels through time, tracing the development of a city in the Pacific Northwest. Create your own scenic skyline through needle felting to commemorate this year’s book selection. Registration required.
Wednesday, April 8 • 3:30 p.m.
Redmond Library
Exhibit Sneak Peak: Read/Create
Get a sneak peek of the exhibit highlighting this year’s A Novel Idea selections. See the literary-inspired quilts that are beloved part of the A Novel Idea experience.
Friday, April 10 • 4–6:00 p.m.
Deschutes Historical Museum
129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend
Read/Create: A Novel Idea 2026 Exhibit
See this year’s Read/Create exhibit, curated by our friends at the Deschutes Historical Museum. The exhibit will be on display through June 13. Show your library card for free admission.
Saturday, April 11–Saturday, June 13 • 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.,
Tuesday–Saturday
Deschutes Historical Museum 129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend
From Reefer Madness to Legal Cannabis
Bruce is involved in the burgeoning legal marijuana business in Supersonic Explore the history and science of cannabis, through the fear-driven era of “Reefer Madness,” prohibition, and eventual legalization with Gary Bracelin, founding partner of Tokyo Starfish and board member of the Deschutes County Cannabis Advisory Panel.
Monday, April 13 • 6:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Wednesday, April 29 • 7:00 p.m.
Bevel Brewing 911 SE Armour Rd, Ste B, Bend
“Seagulls” in Central Oregon?
Seagulls are a perennial fixture in Supersonic, watching the saga unfold over the centuries. Have you wondered if we have seagulls in Central Oregon? Join an entertaining and educational talk about an unexpected bird in the high desert with Sevilla Rhoads.
Tuesday, April 14 • 3:30 p.m.
Redmond Library
Sunday, April 19 • 2:00 p.m.
Larkspur Community Center 1600 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend
My Father Created D.B. Cooper
In Supersonic, protagonist Larry is fascinated by a mysterious man who skyjacks a plane, just like the real-life D.B. Cooper. Hear more from Darrell Jabin, Oregon’s Traveling Historian, about Cooper’s notorious event and his curious connection to the unsolved case.
Friday, April 17 • 5:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Saturday, April 18 • 11:00 a.m.
Sunriver Library
Music in Public Places: Dove String Quartet
Masako Hasegawa, one of the main characters in Supersonic, is a beloved elementary school music teacher. Explore the power of music and community with the Dove String Quartet.
Saturday, April 18 • 2:00 p.m.
La Pine Library
Boeing: Military and Commercial Aircraft Maker to the World
In Supersonic, the fictional equivalent of the Boeing company impacts the characters and drives the novel’s plot. Learn more about this history of Boeing from a retired Boeing employee and docent at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Monday, April 20 • 6:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Tuesday, April 21 • 2:00 p.m.
Deschutes Children’s Foundation, East Campus
2125 NE Daggett Ln, Bend
Promised Land
Documentary Screening*
Two Supersonic characters are Duwamish tribal members, including the fictional last native landowner, Siab. This award-winning 2016 documentary follows two tribes in the Pacific Northwest, the Duwamish and the Chinook, as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights and federal recognition. Registration required.
Tuesday, April 21 • 6:30 p.m.
Tin Pan Theatre
869 NW Tin Pan Alley, Bend
Festival de Sant Jordi in English y Español (ALL AGES)
A Novel Idea is all about honoring books and cultivating community around reading. Discover a unique celebration of culture, love, and books at an annual Catalonian festival.
Saturday, April 25 • 4–6:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Central Oregon’s Neighbor Nations
Throughout Supersonic, readers see how generational trauma affects the Indigenous characters in the novel, including Larry. Although Supersonic depicts the experiences of the Duwamish tribe, there are similarities shared between other tribal nations. Learn more about tribal sovereignty, treaties, and ceded lands from an Indigenous perspective. We’ll explore the past, present, and future with enrolled tribal members from the Warm Springs, Burns-Paiute, and Klamath Nations.
Saturday, April 25 • 4:00 p.m.
Hanai Foundation
62430 Eagle Rd, Bend
Sunday, April 26 • 11:00 a.m.
Redmond Library
Klondike Era Potato Leek Chowder and Fry Bread*
(21+
YRS)
As the last land-owning Indigenous person in Supersonic, Siab strives to protect his family and their way of life in the face of the encroaching “Bostons.” He seeks to make his way in the world by farming potatoes. Develop your potato leek soup skills at Arome in Redmond. Registration required.
Tuesday, April 28 • 5:00 p.m. Arome
432 SW 6th St, Redmond
Central Oregon’s Most Important Crop for Over 50 Years
Growing potatoes is how Siab, the last land-owning Duwamish tribal member in the novel, supports his family. As a crop, potatoes reigned supreme in Redmond. Learn more about the history of potatoes in Central Oregon with the Greater Redmond Historical Society.
Thursday, April 30 • 6:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
HOPE IN THE VALLEY MAIN EVENT
A Novel Idea Author Mitali Perkins
Author Mitali Perkins discusses how code switching is a superpower. Hear her experience of growing up between cultures and how it empowered her for the rest of her life. Enjoy a book signing and Q&A session afterward.
Thursday, April 16 • 4:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
Connection Through Creativity: An Art Workshop*
Hope in the Valley’s protagonist, Pandita, struggles with the loss of her mother. Create art honoring someone important to you—a family member, pet, friend, etc. Reference someone who has passed away or simply someone you miss—all are welcome. Registration required.
Wednesday, April 1 • 2:30 p.m. (13–18 YRS) Redmond Library
Wednesday, April 8 • 2:30 p.m. (8–12 YRS)
FREAK’N ART Studio
1265 NW Wall St, Bend
Understanding Grief in Youth and Teens (18+ YRS)
In Hope in the Valley, members of Pandita’s family grieve the loss of their mother in their own way. Join Kat Crawford, Bereavement Coordinator at Clearpath Healthcare, to learn about how children cope with grief, applicable resources, and Camp Sunrise, a local grief camp for kids and teens.
Thursday, April 2 • 5:30 p.m.
Redmond Library
Youth Songwriting Workshop: Songs in the Valley (9–15 YRS)
Leo, Pandita’s friend in Hope in the Valley, is a prodigious singer and songwriter. Co-create an original song (or two) in a welcoming, all-handson-deck songwriting process led by local music teacher Ian Carrick. All skill levels/abilities wanted. Instruments not provided, but bring one if you wish.
Saturday, April 11 • 10:30 a.m.
Sisters Library
Book Discussion Pizza Party (8+ YRS)
Discuss Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins.
Saturday, April 11 • 11:30 a.m.
Redmond Library
The Sound of Music Screening and Sing-Along (ALL AGES)
Hope in the Valley’s protagonist, Pandita, finds her voice while performing The Sound of Music. Enjoy a sing-along version of this classic film with lyrics on screen. Members of Redmond’s Ravensong choir will help lead songs.
Saturday, April 11 • 3:00 p.m.
Redmond Library
HOPE IN THE VALLEY EVENTS
Note: Children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver at all events.
Teen Open Mic Night* (13–18 YRS)
In Hope in the Valley, Pandita Paul dreads summer drama camp but quickly realizes the importance of having a strong voice on stage to get her message across. Join us at The Open Arts Center to channel your inner Pandita! Registration required.
Thursday, April 16 • 5:00 p.m.
The Open Arts Center 999 NE 2nd St, Bend
A Glimpse of Bengal: Henna, Face Painting, and More* (4+ YRS)
In Hope in the Valley, Pandita’s family hails from West Bengal in India. Sushmita Poddar—Oregon Culture Keeper for Henna, Indian Folk Dance, and South Asian Fashion—will share a glimpse of the culture of this region through henna, face painting, and a display of cultural handcrafted products and textiles. Registration encouraged, but walk-ins welcome.
Saturday, April 18 • 4:00 p.m.
Sunriver Library
Sunday, April 19 • 1:00 p.m.
The Open Arts Center 999 NE 2nd St, Bend
Kids’ Card-Making Workshop* (8–12 YRS)
In Hope in the Valley, Pandita writes letters to her mother who has passed away. Create greeting cards to connect to a loved one, whether it be a birthday card, a “get well soon,” or simply an “I miss you!” Registration required.
Wednesday, April 22 • 2:30 p.m.
La Pine Library
Needle-Felted Apricots* (12–18 YRS)
In Hope in the Valley, Pandita Paul’s place of hope is the abandoned but majestic mansion next to an old apricot orchard. Join us in honoring Pandita’s special place and take a little piece of it home with you! Registration required.
Wednesday, April 22 • 3:30 p.m.
Sunriver Library
STAFF
Tina Walker Davis
Liz Goodrich
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Michele Anderson
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LIBRARY FOUNDATION BOARD
Georell Bracelin, President
Sarah Monkton, Vice President
Brent Uhrig, Secretary
Travis Van Dyke, Treasurer
Todd Dunkelberg, Library
Director
Alexis Albin
Michele Anderson
Sarah Haverly
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Suzy Olsen, Development Coordinator
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