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STONES INTO SCHOOLS
The Uplands Area All-Community Read project
For the first time ever, librarians in Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Spring Green, Barneveld, Blanchardville, Hollandale and Cobb have selected a book to be the Uplands Area All-Community Read. Greg Mortenson's newest book book Stones into Schools has been selected not only because it comes in adult, young adult and early reader editions but because the book will help build bridges within our own communities and with communities half way around the world. (Mortenson's first book was Three Cups of Tea) This exciting, intergenerational year-long project is sponsored by the Dodgeville Library, Grassroots, the Dodgeville Kiwanis Club and Folklore Village. The project is funded by the Wisconsin Humanities Council.
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Discovery Boxes are on their way . . . Have you read the book and are you ready to discuss it more, then check out the Reflection Guide from Vincent Help us promote the effort download this poster and let people know what is going on!
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Learn More About the Afghanistan Region:
Recent Articles and Commentary about the Area and Greg Mortenson's efforts:
For Recipes from the Region, click here.
Pictures from our Kick-off event on Oct 28, 2010 at the Dodgeville Library
Building Bridges within our Community and Around the World: Questions and Answers about Uplands Stones into Schools All Community Read Project
Q. Why is everyone in the Uplands area of southwest Wisconsin reading Greg Mortenson’s new book STONES INTO SCHOOLS?
A. That’s because Stones into School is the book libraries in Barneveld, Cobb, Dodgeville, Hollandale, Mineral Point, Blanchardville, and Spring Green have selected as the first ever Uplands area all-community “read” with funding from the Wisconsin Humanities Council.
Q. Why was this book selected?
A. Stones into Schools will help build bridges within our own community and communities half way around the world where so many of our brave young men and women are serving in the military. Author Greg Mortenson tells the inspiring story of constructing over 140 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We’ll learn to appreciate the differences and similarities between our cultures and why the book is required reading for U.S. military personnel serving in the region. These people-to-people exchanges may be the last, best hope for building peace.
Q. Tell me about the Oct. 28 kickoff for the All-Community Read?
A. To learn more about the all-community read attend the kickoff event Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. at the Dodgeville Library. An inspiring short film will be shown, and Edgewood College professor Vince Kavaloski will share discussion techniques and questions. You’ll leave with the tools to talk with your own organizations and friends about joining the “all-community read”.
Q. When will the “read” actually take place?
A. From November 2010 through March 2011. Discussions will be scheduled in libraries, schools, civic groups, book clubs, faith communities, and among friends and families. We’re hoping military veterans who have served in Afghanistan and their families will join in some of these conversations to share their perspective. There will also be special children’s activities in participating libraries.
Q. How can my civic group, book club, seniors group, school, faith community or friends join the “read” project?
A. We suggest you invite a speaker to one of your fall or early winter meetings to talk about the Uplands Stones into Schools All-Community Read project. To make arrangements for a speaker, contact Jane Kavaloski at [email protected] or 935-3007. As a follow up, local libraries will host discussions. Or your organization can host its own discussion and invite a trained discussion leader to join you.
Q. How can schools, faith communities and families get involved?
A. The book comes in adult, young adult and an illustrated early reader edition which makes it ideal for classroom use in schools and faith community youth groups. The young readers’ edition is Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Journey to Change the World…One Child at a Time”. The beautifully illustrated Listen to the Wind is for early readers. How about a “family” read with grandparents, parents, kids, aunts and uncles gathering around the kitchen table to share their impressions? Or you can read the book in your adult education classes or women’s groups at church.
Q. Tell me about the intergenerational culminating event?
A. The culminating event is scheduled for Sunday, April 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Folklore Village, 3210 County B, east of Dodgeville. All adults, youth and children who have read the books are invited to this exciting intergenerational event. It will be a “Community Conversation and Cultural Celebration” with community-wide dialogue, Afghan music, and entertainment. All are welcome.
Q. Who are the sponsors and funders?
A. The Dodgeville Library, Dodgeville Kiwanis Club, Folklore Village and Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin are co-sponsors. This project is funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council which supports and creates programs that use history, culture and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Q. How can I get a copy of the book?
A. All the participating libraries will have multiple copies of the book for borrowing. The book will be on sale at North Earth Books and Gifts in Spring Green, Set in Stone Bookstore in Mineral Point & the Corner Drug Store in Dodgeville.
Q. How can I find more information?
A. The Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin website at grassrootswi.org will have continually updated information about the project including discussion dates etc. Another essential source will be the Dodgeville Public Library website at dodgevillelibrary.com. For more information about Greg Mortenson and his Central Asia Institute, go to www.ikat.com.
LET YOUR PARTICIPATING LIBRARY KNOW HOW YOU ARE USING THE BOOK. Send an email or bring in a brief description and perhaps pictures to be posted in your local library.
Further Background:
How much do we know about the history, culture and people of Afghanistan and Pakistan? As part of the “War on Terror” thousands of Americans are being sent to a part of the world that remains largely unknown to most U.S. citizens. This situation presents a compelling challenge to rural Wisconsin communities to become far better informed about this troubled area. That is the rationale behind the proposed Uplands Stones into Schools Community Read project for libraries, civic groups, book clubs, schools and faith communities in an area known as Wisconsin’s Uplands region -Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Cobb, Barneveld, Hollandale, Blanchardville and Spring Green. Stones into Schools is author Greg Mortenson’s most recent book in which he recounts his remarkable efforts to build over 140 schools in remote Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The “Uplands Stones into Schools Community Read” builds on a three-year effort by the Dodgeville Library and Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin to offer public programs on the history, culture and politics of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Initially Bryan Walton, an art history specialist, presented an overview of Islamic Art and History. Dr. Nancy Turner, a historian from the University of Platteville, and Dr. Joseph Elder, a sociologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, gave presentations on the history, politics and culture of Afghanistan. Last spring Iowa County residents studied Afghanistan as part of a “Great Decisions” discussion series offered at the Dodgeville Public Library.
The “Uplands Stones into Schools Community Read” would include the purchase of multiple copies of three books by Mortenson for the seven participating libraries. The adult book, Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will become the focus of a community read in libraries, book clubs, civic groups, and faith communities in Greater Iowa County. The middle/high school version of Three Cups of Tea and the pre-kindergarten/elementary school picture book, Listen to the Wind, will be integrated into the youth programming within each of the participating libraries and made available to the local school districts.
We chose these books because Greg Mortenson’s partnership with tribal elders to build schools in rural, northern Afghanistan and Pakistan has caught the imagination of many Americans. His work is being seen as both a successful humanitarian project and a promising nonviolent alternative to the war. Greg Mortenson, and the U.S. military in Afghanistan, believe that the most effective way to establish lasting peace in the area is to educate the children - especially the girls. Education, not only increases literacy, but also decreases infant and maternal mortality, develops job skills, and improves community life. Greg Mortenson’s first book, Three Cups of Tea, was a national best seller and is now required reading for military personnel deployed in Afghanistan. His second book, Stones into Schools, reiterates Mortenson’s personal story and describes the expansion of his school building projects into Afghanistan.
The goals of the “Uplands Stones into School Community Read” are:
1) to foster an intergenerational sense of community through reading and discussion of similar books.
2) to develop a deeper understanding of the people and culture of northern Afghanistan and Pakistan
3) to explore Greg Mortenson’s partnership with tribal leaders in promoting peace by building schools in one of the most remote places on earth
The Humanities Experts that will be involved:
Dr. Vincent Kavaloski is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the World Peace Program at Edgewood College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Philosophy and is the recipient of the Underkoffler Distinguished Teaching Award for excellence in Socratic-oriented pedagogy. He will be a discussion leader, consultant and trainer of other group facilitators. Dr. Kavaloski has had extensive experience in facilitating public humanities discussions.
Dr. Joseph Elder is Professor of Sociology and Languages and Cultures of Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was born in Iran and received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. Dr. Elder lived in India for eight years and has periodically visited Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has appeared recently on both television and radio discussing Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dr. Elder will be a resource person at the culminating gathering on April 10th.