Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Library today announced that the 27th One Book, One Chicago (OBOC) selection is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. One Book, One Chicago is a citywide program that, for 15 years, has helped bring communities together around one central book and theme through diverse programming.

“As a City, we’ve made great gains in supporting locally grown food vendors through our grocery stores and farmers markets,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This year’s theme supports our efforts as we engage and educate residents in thoughtful programming.”
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle tells the story of a family who chooses to eat only locally grown food on their farm in Southern Appalachia for a full year. Their experience is captured through an engaging narrative, leading readers through the family’s challenges and triumphs during a season of planting, weeding, harvesting and preserving.

From October through May 2017, One Book, One Chicago will explore a central theme—“Eat Think Grow” – with citywide programming focused on cultural cuisine, cooking, eating, sustainability and urban farming. One Book, One Chicago is made possible by the Chicago Public Library Foundation, funded through generous support from The Chicago Community Trust and BMO Harris Bank, with travel support provided by United.

“We chose ‘Eat Think Grow’ as this year’s theme because Chicago is known for being a city that loves food, but we are also making great efforts in sustainability and urban farming,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon. “We are looking forward to exploring this theme with Chicagoans, expanding our knowledge about food and culture.”

Programming will take place in all 80 branches of Chicago Public Library. Joining with over 25 community partners, the Library will offer Chicagoans a variety of events and programs, including culinary walking tours, bee-keeping workshops, beer brewing and coffee roasting talks, author visits, cooking and nutrition workshops and other food-related events. Free citywide programs will launch in early October.

Author Barbara Kingsolver will visit the Harold Washington Library Center on May 18 to discuss the book and theme, culminating the One Book, One Chicago program.

Additional highlights of this year’s One Book, One Chicago program include:

• A conversation with Chicago cookbook authors Jocelyn Delk Adams (Grandbaby Cakes), Yvonne Maffei (My Halal Kitchen), and Anupy Singla (Indian for Everyone) about their unique perspectives on food, culture and cooking on Monday, October 17 at 6 pm. 
• Guest essays by authors and chefs throughout the season on onebookonechicago.org, exploring the topic of food. 
• A partnership with the CHIRP Radio, who developed a “Listen While You Read/Cook” playlist of songs and artists related to food. 
• Walking tours by Max Grinnell, urbanologist, exploring neighborhoods in Chicago and their food histories.
• Maker Lab workshops at Harold Washington Library Center using the laser and electronic cutters to make food and holiday-related items 
• Online Twitter chats throughout the program where users can discuss the book and Chicago food culture using the hashtag #OBOC.
• The full program lineup can be found at onebookonechicago.org or at your local library branch.

###

Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S. and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, visit onebookonechicago.org.