Montclair Reads “The Best We Could Do”

What’s Your Story?

February through May 2024
Join us in this community-wide exploration of stories, heritage, and belonging.

This spring, more than 40 events—book discussions, classes, storytelling, movies, and more—inspired by this graphic novel will be happening throughout town.

Unless otherwise noted, registration is required and free for all events. All are welcome, including those from outside Montclair.

Events

Click on the blue links (where available) to register and for the most up-to-date information.

Lessons from the Vietnam War (adults)
Fridays, Jan. 26-March 1, 11:30 a.m., Main Library
This course on the Vietnam War will explore the conflict of cultures and viewpoints, as well as the conflict of arms. An Adult School class. Made possible through a partnership with the MILL and Partners for Health.

Launch of Montclair Reads
Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Main Library
Kickoff event with ambassadors from participating programs and author video. Pick up a free copy of the celebrated graphic novel, “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui and a special tote bag.

Storytelling Improv for Social Change (adults)
Saturdays, Feb. 10-24, 1 p.m., Bellevue Avenue Branch
Through improvisational theater games, acting, movement, and vocal exercises, participants will learn Playback Storytelling Improv. An Adult School class.

East Side Mags Graphic Novel/Library Day (all ages)
Saturday, Feb. 17, East Side Mags
Get a 15% discount on purchases if you show your Montclair Public Library card. Discount not applicable on items already marked down, already on sale or supplies. No registration.

A Discussion of Storytelling and Graphic Novels
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Watchung Booksellers
Professors Adam Rzepka and Jeffrey Gonzalez of Montclair State University will discuss the importance of graphic novels as a literary art form.

Family Storytelling Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 24, 12-2 p.m., Montclair Art Museum
Co-sponsored with Montclair Art Museum, with MAM instructor Peg Kenselaar.

“Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places” with Julio Roman
Monday, Feb. 26, 6:30-9 p.m., Genevieve’s Exclusive Vintage Collection
Author visit with Julio Ceaser Roman III, co-sponsored with Out Montclair.

Graphic Memoir Class: Tell Your Story (grades 3-5)
Wednesdays, February 28-March 27, 4 p.m., Succeed2gether
In this class, students will explore their family’s unique heritage and traditions. They will write an illustrated story about their family’s place of origin, from ancestral legends to cherished recipes. There is a registration fee.

Comics Workshop (ages 8+)
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m., Main Library
Cartoonist, illustrator, and teacher R. Sikoryak will teach participants how to make comics using a four-panel sequence.

Storytelling at Work: Indispensable Strategies to Get Your Point Across in Business (adults)
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., Bellevue Avenue Branch
Learn how to advance in your career using storytelling techniques to describe history and projects. An Adult School class.

Passport Art – MILL @ MPL
Fridays, March 1, 8 and 15, 11:30 a.m., Main Library
Passport Art is a collage/memoir class inspired by the Montclair Public Library’s Big Read book “The Best We Could Do”.

Film Screenings: The Immigrant Experience
Mondays, March 11-25 and April 15-22, 2 p.m., Main Library
Join us for films that depict the immigrant experience in America. No registration.
March 11 – “In America” (2002)
March 18 – “The Namesake” (2006)
March 25 – “Brooklyn” (2015)
April 15 – “A Better Life” (2011)
April 22 – “Avalon” (1990)

Storytelling through Podcasts (adults)
Thursday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., Main Library
Vietnamese Boat People will share the prompts they’ve developed to facilitate family storytelling for podcasts. An Adult School class.

Teen Book Club (ages 12-18)
Thursday, March 14, 4 p.m., Main Library
Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. In March, we’re reading and discussing graphic novels.

Book Clubs Discuss “The Best We Could Do” (adults)

Comics Workshop (ages 8+)
Tuesday, March 19, 4 p.m., Main Library
Join veteran comic artist and teacher Jamal Igle to learn how to make a one-page story about yourself to share with family and friends.

Tiny Art Show Painting
Ages 7-11: Tuesday, April 9, 1 p.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch OR Thursday, April 11, 4:30 pm, Main Library
Teens (ages 12-18): Wednesday, March 20, 5 p.m., Main Library OR Friday, April 12, 3 p.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch
Teen Advisory Board members: Wednesday, April 3, Main Library
Adults: Tuesday, April 16, 5 p.m., Bellevue Ave. Branch
Adults (seniors): Friday, March 22, 11:30 a.m., Main Library
Paint your own tiny 4in x 4in canvas. Your canvas will be displayed in the Library as part of our Tiny Art Show. Unable to attend? Pick up a tiny canvas at either branch from March 18-25 and bring it back before April 8 to participate in our Tiny Art Show. All supplies provided, first-come first-served, for ages 7 to adult.

The AIDS Quilt as Memoir (ages 12-18)
Tuesday, March 26, 6 p.m., Main Library
View panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and discuss how communities honor identity with visual storytelling.

Bringing Your Story to Life: Storytelling Workshop with Montclair Film’s Duncan Miller (adults)
Saturday, March 30, 1:30 p.m., Main Library

Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project
Thursday, April 18, 11 a.m., Main Library
Executive Director Angelica Diggs of the Montclair History Center will lead an introductory workshop on how to conduct oral histories.

Poetry as Memoir: A Writing Workshop for Teens (ages 12-18)
Wednesday, April 24, 6 p.m., Main Library
Hear examples of memoir poems and then write your own.

“Nailed It” Film Screening
Monday, April 29, 2 p.m., Main Library
After it premiered on PBS in 2019, “Nailed It” became the highest streamed film of the “America Reframed” series. Uncover the real history of the Vietnamese nail salon. Watch the trailer.

“Bolinao 52” Film Screening
Tuesday, April 30, 6 p.m., Main Library
This award-winning documentary tells the story of one boat that escaped Vietnam with 110 refugees on board. After 37 days at sea, only 52 survived. Watch the trailer.

Tiny Art Show
On display throughout May, both Library branches
See the creations of everyone who participated in the Tiny Art paintings. No registration.

Montclair Film StorySLAM (adults)
Thursday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., Cinema505, Tickets: $11-$15
From heart-wrenching accounts of leaving loved ones behind, to uplifting tales of resilience and cultural integration, embark with us on a journey of Immigration Stories from our community members. Join us for a night of cultural celebration with a diverse storytelling tapestry of immigration experiences, as varied and rich as the human experience itself. In partnership with Montclair BID and AAPI Montclair.