PORT TOWNSEND — Melody Sky Weaver wants people to know something — it’s kind of a secret — about the Port Townsend Community Read.
“You don’t have to have read the books to participate in any of the events,” said Weaver, the director of the Port Townsend Library.
The activities, which stretch through the month of March, are all free. Some are online, two are outdoors and one is at a movie theater. All are about bringing people together, Weaver emphasized.
This year’s two Community Read selections, “Wishtree” for children and “The House in the Cerulean Sea” for teens and adults, are available for checkout from the library at 1220 Lawrence St. They’re also circulating through the community, Weaver said, as people read them and pass them around.
At the same time, she encourages anybody who’s interested in themes of belonging, courage and resilience to partake in the events inspired by the two books.
Starting Tuesday, the library will designate one of the trees on its grounds as the make-a-wish tree. People of any age can come in for a seeded paper — a small slip with a seed inside — on which they can write a wish and attach to the tree on any day of the month.
These are biodegradable wish slips, Weaver said. They’re made for spreading seeds and wishes out into the world.
Also starting Tuesday, the movie “Boy,” Taika Waititi’s coming-of-age story about a New Zealand youngster, will be available for free streaming on the Port Townsend Film Festival’s platform, ptfilmfest.com.
While “Boy” will be available for on-demand viewing online through March 8, there will be one free in-person showing at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Theatre, 235 Taylor St. Moviegoers can obtain free tickets at the Port Townsend Library or at ptfilmfest.com.
“Boy,” a film laced with magical realism, is appropriate for ages 14 and older, Weaver said; it’s not for young children.
The Port Townsend Library will present seven more free programs during March. The full list can be found at ptpubliclibrary.org and in brochures at the library, while participants can also phone 360-385-3181 for information.
The library’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s the lineup of activities. Unless otherwise noted, the online programs are accessible via ptpubliclibrary.org.
• All of March: The “Stand Tall and Reach Deep: Creative Book Covers for Wishtree” art exhibit is on display at the Port Townsend Library, courtesy of Northwind Art;
• During daylight hours through March: The new StoryWalk, “A Year Around the Great Oak” by Gerda Muller, has been turned into panels along the Kah Tai Lagoon trail. The story starts at the Landes Street entrance to the trail and continues on the path to Kearney Street;
• March 7, 2 p.m.: A “Book Lovers’ Café discussion of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” will be conducted online with Library Director Melody Sky Weaver;
• March 17, 6:30 p.m.: A meet-the-author talk with “Wishtree” writer Katherine Applegate will go live online;
• March 22, 10:30 a.m.: Author and artist Toni Yuly will host a virtual “Some Questions about Trees” storytime for children ages 0 to 6;
• March 24, 7 p.m.: A community book discussion of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” will take place online with Kimberley Gorman, executive director of Jumping Mouse Children’s Center;
• The finale for the Community Read is a meet-the-author event with “Cerulean Sea” author TJ Klune, online at 6:30 p.m. March 31.
The 2022 Community Read books and events happen thanks to sponsors and partners, Weaver noted. They include the Friends of the Port Townsend Library, Port Townsend Public Library Foundation, Peninsula Daily News, the Port Townsend Film Festival, the Rose Theatre, Jefferson County Historical Society, Imprint Books, Port Townsend School District, Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader, Northwind Art and KPTZ 91.9 FM.
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Jefferson County Senior Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.
