Frankenstein Discussion

Community Book Chat 

5:00 to 5:45 p.m.

If you haven't already (there's still time!), pick up a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at the Adult Desk. The books are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be yours to keep, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Humanities! After reading the book, join us for a community discussion guided by Library Director Chris Scandling.

Guest Speaker

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Kyoko Takanshi, associate professor of English at IUSB, will discuss "What Frankenstein Read: Lessons on Education from Mary Shelley's Classic Novel." Takanshi specializes in 18th and 19th century British literature with a focus on the history of the novel. She has been teaching at IUSB since 2011. The community is invited to hear Takanashi's insights into this interesting topic.

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This program is made possible through a Community Read grant from Indiana Humanities. One State / One Story: Frankenstein is an initiative designed by Indiana Humanities in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book.

The Monster Lives

You've finished Mary Shelley's masterpiece in plenty of time for BPL's Community Forum (October 30), now what? Celebrate by checking out the following collection of Frankenstein inspired works -

Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill

In this free-verse novel, Hemphill tracks Mary's turbulent young life, including her relationship with poet Percy Shelley and their travels across Europe.

Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge

Drawn from Mary's painstaking journals, Judge's book spotlights the circumstances that inspired the unforgettable creature. More than 300 illustrations accompany this selection.

Cadaver and Queen by Alisa Kwitney

When Elizabeth enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn't have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she'll have to go above and beyond. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-Mechanical, she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program. Only this Bio-Mechanical isn't like the others. Soon Elizabeth realizes that it's Victor Frankenstein, a former student who died under mysterious circumstances.



Henry Franks by Peter Adam Salomon

While a serial killer stalks his small Georgia town, sixteen-year-old Henry tries to find the truth about the terrible accident that robbed him of his mother and his memories.

Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron

Tired of being sheltered from humans, seventeen-year-old Boy, son of Frankenstein's monster and the Bride of Frankenstein, runs away from home and embarks on a wild road trip that takes him across the country and deep into the heart of America.

Mister Creecher by Chris Priestly

In 1918 London, fifteen-year-old Billy, a pickpocket, meets Mr. Creecher, a monstrous giant. Their relationship turns from convenience to a strong bond as they journey northwards on the trail of Victor Frankenstein.

Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin

Nell Crane has never held a boy's hand. In a city devastated by an epidemic, where survivors are all missing parts, Nell has always been an outsider. Her father is the famed scientist who created the biomechanical limbs that everyone now uses. But she's the only one with her machinery on the inside: her heart.

Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker

When science prodigy Tor Frankenstein accidentally kills a teen boy in a midnight car accident, there's only one thing for her to do: use her science project to bring him back to life.

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel

When his twin brother falls ill in the family's chateau, sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein embarks on a dangerous and uncertain quest to create the forbidden Elixir of Life.

Strange Star by Emma Carroll

Told primarily by servant Felix, Lord Byron and friends gather to tell ghost stories on a stormy night in 1816 Switzerland. Then, a young girl arrives with her own dark and dangerous tale.

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

When a talented mechanic in 1818 Geneva brings his brother back from the dead using clockwork parts, the citizens think they may have inspired the recently published novel Frankenstein.

Gris Grimly's Frankenstein by Gris Grimly

Retells, in graphic novel format, Mary Shelley's classic tale of a monster who develops a mind of his own, learns to loathe himself, and hate his creator.

Frankenstein

Bremen Public Library has been awarded a Community Read grant of $1,000 from Indiana Humanities to participate in a statewide read of the classic novel “Frankenstein.” More than 60 other communities will be reading the book as part of One State / One Story: Frankenstein.

BPL will host at least three community programs tied to the book during 2018, including a book discussion. It will also receive up to 50 books and assorted collateral (bookmarks, posters, etc.) to promote the programs. The $1,000 project funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including to book speakers through a special “Frankenstein” speakers bureau.

Written by teenage Mary Shelley in 1818, “Frankenstein” tells the story of a young scientist who created a grotesque living creature through a scientific experiment and was horrified by what he had made.

“'Frankenstein’ is a powerful book that raises big questions about right and wrong, how we treat other people and the relationship between science and society,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “That’s what makes it such an important book to read as a community and as a state. We want to catalyze those serious conversations, but we want Hoosiers to have a little fun with the book, too.”

One State / One Story: Frankenstein is an initiative designed by Indiana Humanities, in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book, to encourage Hoosiers to read the classic novel as it turns 200 in 2018. More than a dozen programs – including a digital gaming workshop, a sci-fi and horror writing festival for teens, community reads and read-a-thons, and college and university partnerships – will bring Frankenstein to life all over the state. One State / One Story: Frankenstein has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

I'm thrilled to take part in One State / One Story as it provides an additional venue by which to connect with patrons and potential patrons alike. In a time when some debate the need for our institutions, we must continue to evolve and show relevancy.

The libraries of my youth were the whisper-quiet, shush and not be heard, variety. Today, libraries are vibrant community centers. Yes, we are still books. However, we are books and so much more! From movies to music, computer classes, hangout spaces, and programs. My goodness, the programs are essential.

Through programming personally conducted, I've come across people who had not stepped through our doors once. Not a single time. By offering something of interest, though, they adjusted their calendar and stepped beyond our four walls. In doing so, it enabled us to share the wealth of resources that exist at Bremen Public Library. To show them what they've been missing out on.

That part to me is special. Especially when they return time and again. A program did that! The goal for One State / One Story is for thousands of Hoosiers across the state to have the opportunity to participate in engaging, meaningful discussions. Our mission statement may seem rather simple, yet it's critical:  "We link our community to the world: past, present and future."

It is imperative that libraries continue to be a part of, to serve as a cornerstone of, each and every neighborhood.

Learn more at: www.IndianaHumanities.org/Frankenstein

This event highlight brought to you by Chris Scandling, YA Librarian.