Join Big Library Read
November 1, 2024
The Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club, is back and offering unlimited access to a title the whole family can enjoy.
From November 7 to November 21, book lovers around the world will have unlimited access to the eBook and digital audiobook of Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key by Tracy Occomy Crowder. The book promises to captivate readers of all ages with its story of discovery, resilience and the power of community.
The title can be found in our catalogue or on the Libby App with a Vancouver Island Regional Library card and there are zero waits. Readers can also tap into lesson plans and discussion guides for facilitating age-appropriate conversations about story writing, cultural representation and historical fiction.
Join the fun:
Participate for a chance to win: To celebrate Big Library Read’s thrilling tale, OverDrive is inviting kids ages 12 and under to create their own artwork inspired by the book. Kids can share their creations (with parent permission or from a parent’s account) on social media using the hashtag #BigLibraryRead on social media from November 7-21 to enter for a chance to win the Adventurer’s Prize Pack (it includes a signed copy of Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key, a LCD display kids metal detector for real-life treasure hunting, a leather-bound journal with a vintage key enclosure, an Instant Print camera and a pair of Belkian Soundform Headphones for diving into audiobooks). Find the official rules here.
Hear from the author: On November 21, from 4-5pm (PDT) join author Tracy Occomy Crowder on Zoom for a Q&A, book reading and story writing fun. The event is for all ages. Register now.
Book Summary:
It’s 2008 in Washington Park, an African American community on Chicago’s South Side, which is the center of the universe that summer. We are introduced to Monty, a ten-year old boy who likes to use the scientific method to prove just about everything. As Monty unravels the origins of a mysterious golden key he and his friends find in their backyard, he discovers the true essence of community, the power of curiosity, and uncovers the rich history and heritage of his Chicago neighborhood. From the legacy of famous Black jockeys to the excitement surrounding Barack Obama’s run for the presidency and the potential arrival of the Olympics in 2016, Monty’s summer adventure becomes an exploration of his community’s past, present, and future.
Learn about the author:
Tracy Occomy Crowder is a community organizer who has worked to address issues of racial equity across Illinois for the past thirty years, particularly in housing and education. In this work, she brought recess back to Chicago Public Schools. As an author, she enjoys creating work steeped in African American history, culture, struggles, and human foibles as well as share unknown historical facts with humor and everyday experiences. Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key is Tracy’s first middle grade novel and has won her the 2019 New Visions Award.
