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A Community-Wide Reading Program

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The 2014 book selected for One Book, One Community: Stark County is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.

Synopsis: The book, Wonder, introduces us to Auggie Pullman, a ten year old whose life has never been quite right-side-up, due to the severe craniofacial differences he was born with and the 27 surgeries he’s already endured. However, his life is turned completely upside down when his parents inform him that he will be attending Beecher Prep Middle School rather than continuing to be home-schooled.

Auggie says of his face “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” Fifth grade is a challenging time for any “regular” kid, but the book’s author, R.J. Palacio gives us a glimpse at what it’s like to try to fit when you are excessively different – at least on the outside. Palacio combines humor and heart wrenching drama to pull in readers of all ages. She opens our eyes to qualities of friendship, to challenges of family dynamics, and to what can be seen on the outside and what can’t. Readers can’t help but walk away with at least a little more compassion, a little more empathy and a little more desire to choose kindness.


The North Canton Public Library joins many additional libraries in Stark County to explore “the wonder of Wonder” throughout October. This hopeful story has bridged generations, appealing to all ages, with its beautiful message encouraging kindness. The library will provide 30 consecutive days of Wonder programming beginning October1. We’re excited to do our part to help advocate for kindness in Stark County.

30 Days of Wonder — all events are free!

October 2 – North Canton Kindness Kick-Off Party #StarkKind at the library 3-6 p.m.
Come learn about 30 Days of Wonder! 

October 3 — First Friday Event: Bully with special performance by Elec Simon at 6 p.m.
Musician, Elec Simon, brings his anti-bullying campaign to First Friday at the Palace Theatre. After the presentation, stay for the movie Bully. Presented in conjunction with the 2014 Canton Film Festival. The movie is rated PG-13. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave N, Canton

October 4 – Kids and Kindness at 11 am.
Kids and Kindness program at the North Canton Public Library invites children in grades 1-3 to discuss the importance of kindness and prepare a caring craft. Registration required.

October 5 – Mirror Reflection Monday
What do you see in the mirror? And what don’t you see? Tell us with #StarkKind.

“Never trust a mirror,
For a mirror always lies,
It makes you think that all you’re worth,
Can be seen from the outside,
Never trust a mirror.

It only shows you what’s skin deep,
You can’t see how your eyelids flutter,
When you’re drifting off to sleep,
It doesn’t show you what the world sees,
When you’re only being you,
Or how your eyes light up,
When you’re loving what you do,
It doesn’t capture when you’re smiling,
When no one else can see,
And your reflection cannot tell you,
Everything you mean to me,
Never trust a mirror,
For it only shows your skin,
And if you think that dictates your worth,
It’s time you looked within.”
– Erin Hanson

October 6 – Knitting for Kindness with the NCPL Knitting Group. 
All are welcome. No experience required. Learn more.

October 7 – #StarkKind Kick-Off at 6 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the One Book programs and learn more about this year’s selection, Wonder by R.J. Palacio with performances by the Canton Ballet, New Direction Performing Arts Academy, and the Young People Making It Big student choir from the Arts Academy at Summit. Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton

October 8 – Post a Precept Today!
You can post your precept here at the library or on social media using the hashtag #StarkKind

October 9 – Teen Flix Featuring The Blind Side at 3:30 p.m. 
Signed permission slip required.

October 10 – Hunger Awareness Weekend
The Stark County Hunger Task Force knows that hunger is a prevalent reality in Stark County. According to Feeding America, more than 57,000 Stark County residents, or 15.3 percent of them, struggle with food insecurity. Many of our neighbors cannot count on regular and adequate meals, and have to make decisions about whether to pay the heating and medical bills or to buy enough groceries to feed themselves and their families.

The Stark County Hunger Task Force is an emergency line of support for those in need of food assistance.

Please bring a donation of non-perishable food items to the library this weekend and we will pass them along to the SCHTF.

October 11 – Hunger Awareness Weekend
The Stark County Hunger Task Force knows that hunger is a prevalent reality in Stark County. According to Feeding America, more than 57,000 Stark County residents, or 15.3 percent of them, struggle with food insecurity. Many of our neighbors cannot count on regular and adequate meals, and have to make decisions about whether to pay the heating and medical bills or to buy enough groceries to feed themselves and their families.

The Stark County Hunger Task Force is an emergency line of support for those in need of food assistance.

Please bring a donation of non-perishable food items to the library this weekend and we will pass them along to the SCHTF.

October 12 – Hunger Awareness Weekend
The Stark County Hunger Task Force knows that hunger is a prevalent reality in Stark County. According to Feeding America, more than 57,000 Stark County residents, or 15.3 percent of them, struggle with food insecurity. Many of our neighbors cannot count on regular and adequate meals, and have to make decisions about whether to pay the heating and medical bills or to buy enough groceries to feed themselves and their families.

The Stark County Hunger Task Force is an emergency line of support for those in need of food assistance.

Please bring a donation of non-perishable food items to the library this weekend and we will pass them along to the SCHTF.

October 13 – K-One Club at 4:45 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library’s K-One Club for kindergarteners and first graders will be themed “kindness.” Registration required.

October 13 (2) – Wonder Book Discussion at 6 p.m.
Wonder Book Discussion for all ages hosted by the North Canton Public Library.

October 14 – Kindness Counts at 4:45 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library invites children in grades 3-5 to make and give crafts to support kindness. Registration required.

October 15 – Random Acts of Kindness Day
Complete one (or many!) random acts of kindness today. Then tell us about it using #StarkKind. Need ideas?

October 16 – Teen Wonder Craft at 3:30 p.m.
Teens are invited to complete a Wonder themed craft at the North Canton Public Library. Registration required.

October 16 (2) – Mother/Daughter Book Club discusses 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts by R.J. Palacio at 6:45 p.m.  
The book club is for girls in grades 3-5 with their moms. Registration required.

October 17 – Exploring Empathy Day 
What is empathy? How can you be more empathetic? How did each of the characters in Wonder embody empathy? What can we learn from them? Let’s think about it today.

em·pa·thy
noun: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

October 18 – Mr. Puppet’s Anti-Bullying Show at 11 a.m.
This no bully themed ventriloquist/puppet show has received rave reviews. Reserve your space for this popular show coming to the North Canton Public Library. Registration required.

October 18 (2) – Bullying– Its Causes, Effects and Solutions at 2 p.m.
Hear stories from a panel of professionals and community members including a former bully as they discuss the long-lasting effects of bullying. Roundtable discussion to follow. This program for adults is hosted at the Perry Sippo Branch Library, 5710 12th Street NW, Canton.

October 19 –  A Day to Celebrate Character Counts! North Canton 

October 20 – K-One Club at 4:45 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library’s K-One Club for kindergarteners and first graders will be themed “kindness.” Registration required.

October 21 – Crafter’s Corner at 6 p.m.
Adults are invited to the month’s Crafter’s Corner at the North Canton Public Library. We will be making soap to be donated to a homeless shelter. Registration required.

October 22 – PACER’s Unity Day “Go Orange” Against Bullying!
If you care about safe and supportive schools and communities make your color ORANGE on Unity Day. That’s the day everyone can come together—in schools, communities, and online—and send one large ORANGE message of support, hope, and unity. Read more.

October 23 – A Tribute to Daisy
Dogs are our friends even when the rest of the world seems to fail us. Today is a day to celebrate the dogs in your life. Give them an extra walk, an extra cookie, play a game of fetch or let them sleep in bed with you. They’d do anything in the world for us, let’s make sure they know that we know how lucky we are to call them our best friends.

p.s. you can do a favor to dogs in local shelters by simply making sure you own dog has identification tags and is spayed/neutered.

October 24 – Coats for Christmas Collection WeekendIt’s not too early to start providing coats to the amazing volunteers at A Community Christmas, who in turn distribute them to residents in need. In 2013, they collected more than 4,070 coats and distributed them all in Stark County at Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton Calvary Mission, Alliance Friends Church, Rockhill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, Marlboro Elementary School, Alliance Middle School, Gorrell Elementary School, Avondale Elementary School, Trinity United Methodist Church (Perry Helping Perry), Men’s (Refuge of Hope) Rescue Mission, Men’s Crisis Intervention Center, Friendship Baptist Church, and Men from the Street.

October 25 – Coats for Christmas Collection Weekend
It’s not too early to start providing coats to the amazing volunteers at A Community Christmas, who in turn distribute them to residents in need. In 2013, they collected more than 4,070 coats and distributed them all in Stark County at Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton Calvary Mission, Alliance Friends Church, Rockhill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, Marlboro Elementary School, Alliance Middle School, Gorrell Elementary School, Avondale Elementary School, Trinity United Methodist Church (Perry Helping Perry), Men’s (Refuge of Hope) Rescue Mission, Men’s Crisis Intervention Center, Friendship Baptist Church, and Men from the Street.

October 26 – Coats for Christmas Collection Weekend
It’s not too early to start providing coats to the amazing volunteers at A Community Christmas, who in turn distribute them to residents in need. In 2013, they collected more than 4,070 coats and distributed them all in Stark County at Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton Calvary Mission, Alliance Friends Church, Rockhill Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, Marlboro Elementary School, Alliance Middle School, Gorrell Elementary School, Avondale Elementary School, Trinity United Methodist Church (Perry Helping Perry), Men’s (Refuge of Hope) Rescue Mission, Men’s Crisis Intervention Center, Friendship Baptist Church, and Men from the Street.

October 27 – K-One Club at 4:45 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library’s K-One Club for kindergarteners and first graders will be themed “kindness.” Registration required.

October 28 – “Friends” Story Time at 6:30 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library’s Evening Story Time for children will be themed “friends.” Registration required.

October 29 – Star Wars Party at 4:45 p.m.
The North Canton Public Library will host a Star Wars Party for children in grades 3-5 in honor of Wonder’s main character, Auggie. Registration required.

October 29 (2) – Macaroni at Midnight Program at 6:30 p.m.
Don Bartlette. Ph.D. will visit the library to speak about his experiences growing up with challenges including being cleft affected and having a speech disability. Dr. Bartlette is a full time public speaker who travels extensively sharing presentations related to his life story, Macaroni at Midnight, an autobiographical profile of his childhood.

October 29 (3) – The Masks We Wear at 6 p.m.
Compassion. Hate. Love. Kindness. Words. Fun. Wonder. Invisibility. What does your mask say? Medical, educational, and mental health professionals will be on hand to address topics such as bullying, self-esteem, differences, and more. Children will have the opportunity to make a mask. This program for families is hosted at the Stark County District Library, Main, 715 Market Ave. N, Canton

October 30 – Creature Creations at 4:45 p.m.
Children in preschool through grade 5 are invited to the North Canton Public Library’s Creature Creations program where we will make creations using recycled materials as an act of kindness to the Earth. Registration required.

October 31 – Coming soon!

One Book, One Community-Stark County Book Discussions