This is the last week of The Big Read Dearborn. We hope you’ve enjoyed emBARKING on this literary adventure! If you haven’t read The Call of the Wild yet, it’s not too late to get a free copy.

It’s hard to believe the journey is almost coming to an end, but there are still a variety of great events scheduled for this week, including a movie (The Call of the Wild), children’s storytime, a children’s craft, a book discussion, and a lecture by Professor Karla Armbruster, “The Echoing Call of the Wild: What Jack London Knew about Dogs and Their Wolf Ancestors.” This lecture will be presented twice, on Tuesday at the Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights and on Wednesday at the Bryant Branch Library in Dearborn. And don’t forget, you’re invited to The Big Read Dearborn Wrap Up Party on Saturday, May 17!

     BLOCKBUSTER FILM SERIES – The Call of the Wild

Date and Time: Monday, May 12, 2014, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Synopsis: In The Call of the Wild (1935), gold prospector Jack Thornton (Clark Gable) braves the Alaskan wilderness in hopes of striking it rich in this Western loosely based on Jack London’s novel (89 minutes, not rated). A discussion will follow the film.

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN) – Hear the Call Storytime

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Children with a caregiver are invited for stories and songs focusing on dogs, wolves, and the wild. Space is limited. Register by phone at (313) 943-2345 or in person at any Dearborn Public Library location.

LECTURE – The Echoing Call of the Wild: What Jack London Knew about Dogs and Their Wolf Ancestors

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Ave., Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

Karla Armbruster, professor of English at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, specializes in ecocriticism and animal studies. In this talk, she will explore how Jack London and other writers have used the idea that dogs evolved from wolves to support various and sometimes competing visions of the relationship between wild nature and human culture. Please call (313) 791-3800 to register. Note: This lecture will also be presented on Wednesday, May 14, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Bryant Branch Library in Dearborn.

LECTURE – The Echoing Call of the Wild: What Jack London Knew about Dogs and Their Wolf Ancestors

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location: Bryant Branch Library, Dearborn Chamber Conference Room, 22100 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI 48126

Karla Armbruster, professor of English at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, specializes in ecocriticism and animal studies. In this talk, she will explore how Jack London and other writers have used the idea that dogs evolved from wolves to support various and sometimes competing visions of the relationship between wild nature and human culture. Note: This lecture will also be presented on Tuesday, May 13, 7:00pm – 8:00pm at Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights.

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN & TEENS) – Third Thursday Craft

Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2014, 11:00am – 7:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Drop-in craft. Wild shadow puppets – create a set of shadow puppets and tell your own story! Younger children may need adult assistance. Crafts available while supplies last.

     BOOK DISCUSSION – Dearborn Public Library

Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2014, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location: Bryant Branch Library, Dearborn Chamber Conference Room, 22100 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48124

Librarian Kirt Gross will moderate a discussion of The Call of the Wild.

     SPECIAL EVENT – The Big Read Dearborn Wrap-Up Party

Date and Time: Saturday, May 17, 2014, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Join in a special celebration at Henry Ford Centennial Library to wrap up The Big Read Dearborn. The party will include real sled dogs, Treibball (dog soccer), an old-time photo booth, gold panning, an Animal Tales meet-and-greet, popcorn, live music, and more!