Meet the Illustrator: Great Reads Book Club Meeting

Library : Fitchburg Public Library

Location : Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Start : Thursday 25th of September 2025 6:00 PM

End : Thursday 25th of September 2025 7:45 PM

Description :

Join us on August 12th, August 25th, September 22nd, and September 25th at the Fitchburg Public Library for a discussion series on the stunningly illustrated graphic-novel Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi, adapted and illustrated by Joel Christian Gill. Racism has persisted throughout history—but so have antiracist efforts to dismantle it. Through deep research and a gripping narrative that illuminates the lives of five key American figures, preeminent historian Ibram X. Kendi—in collaboration with award-winning historian and comic artist Joel Christian Gill—reveals how understanding and improving the world cannot happen without identifying and facing the racist forces that shape it. The graphic-novel adaptation of Dr. Kendi’s groundbreaking Stamped from the Beginning explores, with vivid clarity and dimensionality, the living history of America, and how we can learn from the past to work toward a more equitable, antiracist future. Participants will be provided with a free copy of the graphic novel and will have the opportunity to ask the graphic novelist questions in a virtual Q&A session in September! This discussion series is part of the 2025 MA Great Reads program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Register below. Tonight's event will allow participants in the reading club to meet the illustrator! Questions may be submitted in advance of the live, digital Q&A session, as well as through the moderator during the event! Meetings and discussions will take place on the following dates: Tuesday, August 12th at 4:00 pm. Agenda: Discuss and read parts of the graphic novel. Monday, August 25th at 2:30 pm. Agenda: Discuss and read parts of the graphic novel. Monday, September 22nd at 4:00 pm. Agenda: submit some questions for the Q&A session on Thursday. Thursday, September 25th at 6:00 pm: Q&A with the illustrator, Joel Christian Gill. Mass Center for the Book will be hosting the discussion on Zoom.  fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/meet-the-illustrator-great-reads-book-club-meeting/