'Silicon Valley Reads' Kicks Off

One book, one giant, city-wide conversation. That was the idea 10 years ago when Silicon Valley Reads was launched.

In 2012, it's two books, two authors and more. Poetry. Films. An art exhibition. A photo contest. Celebrity story time.

Over the next three months, expect Silicon Valley Reads 2012 to celebrate its 10th year with many ways to plug into the themes raised by The Muslim Next Door and The Butterfly Mosque. 

It kicked off Wednesday night, at the Campbell Heritage Theater. Mike Cassidy, columnist for the San Jose Mercury News interviewed authors Sumbul Ali-Karamali of The Muslim Next Door and G. Willow Wilson of The Butterfly Mosque,  around the theme, "Muslim and American: Two Perspectives."

Like bookends, the two will close the program three months later, on April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Santa Clara Central Park Library, with a conversation led by Mercury News columnist Sal Pizarro.  

In between both authors will each appear solo at multiple events at libraries, schools and community centers during February, March and April. Other books, readings and events involving film, poetry, book clubs, panel presentations by others are included as part of the effort. 

The following events take place in Los Altos:

• March 2, Los Altos Library, 7 p.m. - Willow Wilson will talk about Butterfly Mosque, and about being Muslim and American. Moderated by Val Carpenter. 650-948-7683. 
• Feb. 6, Los Altos Library, 7:30 p.m. - Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi, President of San Jose State University, will speak about Ghazni, Afghanistan, designated an"Islamic Heritage City," as one of the early cities of Islamic civilization in the 9th and 10th centuries. Dr. Qayoumi will describe some of the architectural monuments of the city as well as key scholars and their many contributions to world civilization. Co-sponsored by Los Altos Voices for Peace. Information: 650-948-7683
• Feb. 23, Woodland Branch Library, 7 p.m. Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, children's author of My Name is Bilal, discusses the themes of her book in an interactive presentation that also answers questions about Islam’s beliefs and religious practices. Information: 650-969-6030.

Ali-Karamali’s itinerary includes a panel discussion at The Tech Museum on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. on the topic ‘'What It’s Like To Be the Muslim Next Door in Silicon Valley.” Other panelists include Dr. Qayoumi, Muhammed Chaudhry, President of Silicon Valley Education Foundation and Raania Mohsen, Executive Director of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County.   

Wilson's schedule includes a visit to the largest mosque in America, the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara, on Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Silicon Valley Reads 2012 Calendar of Events also includes these wide-ranging activities:    

• Invoking Peace - an exhibit of Islamic Art at the  at De Anza College, Feb. 3-March 17.  

• Silicon Valley Reads On The Air - an interactive TV book club broadcast live on CreaTV in February, March and April where viewers can call, email, text or Tweet their comments and questions.  

• Paranoid Politics – Islamophobia, McCarthyism and the Yellow Peril- a panel discussion on April 3 in Los Gatos with panelists author Wajahat Ali, Congressman Mike Honda and Dr. Larry Gerston, emeritus political science professor at San Jose State University and political analyst for NBC11. 7 p.m. at Jewish Community Center Auditorium at the Levy Family Campus, Los Gatos. Information: 408-354-1242.      

• Our Religious Neighbors Next Door - a project coordinated by the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council that asks people to submit photos that capture the distinctive identities of the region’s diverse population for a collection that will be published online and exhibited at the Silicon Valley Reads closing event in April. Submissions Jan. 25- Mar. 31. See www.sivicouncil.org

• One Through Love - a film and readings of the poetry of Rumi, a 13th century Muslim mystic who is the most popular poet in America. The program features Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Sally Ashton,  and Los Gatos Poet Laureate Parthenia Hicks. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 7 p.m. at the De Anza College Visual & Performing Arts Center.        

• Sound of the Soul - a documentary about the Fez World Festival of Sacred Music, on Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m. at the De Anza College Visual and Performing Arts Center. Film director Stephen Olsson will introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.

In addition, the four companion books were selected for children so that families could read and discuss. They include:

It's Okay to be Different By Todd Parr. The popular children's author and illustrator will talk and draw for families at 10 libraries in February and April. A limited number of free copies of the book, aimed at pre-kindergarten audiences, will be distributed courtesy of First 5 California. The venues include: Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale Public Library (408-730-7300) Saturday, April 21,10:15 a.m. at Mountain View Public Library (650-903-6337).

One Green Apple By Eve Bunting. Bunting's story is about a young immigrant named Farah who gains self-confidence on a school field trip to pick apples for cider.

My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin. Mobin-Uddin, whose story is aimed at grades 2-6, talks about her story of how children stay true to their religion and fit in at a new school. She will appear at five libraries in February, including the Woodland Library Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim. Karim discusses her coming-of-age novel and the experience of growing up Muslim in the U.S. at six venues acros Santa Clara Valley.

For a complete list of events please see the calendar of siliconvalleyreads.org.

Silicon Valley Reads is hosted annually by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Library and San Jose Public Library Foundation.  Funding of the program comes from donations by local foundations, businesses, community groups and individuals.