One Book, One Village

“Crime fiction is at its best when telling a compelling story while also analyzing the shadowy foundations of human nature. Very few writers do that better than Hirahara.” –S.A. Cosby, The Washington Post

Get ready to read Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara, the book all of Arlington Heights is talking about this fall. One Book, One Village (OBOV), which is now in its ninth year, invites the community to read the same book at the same time and share in the experience through related programming and book discussions. Set in Chicago in 1944, Clark and Division is a meticulously researched historical fiction and gripping mystery set against the backdrop of World War II and the incarceration of Japanese Americans in internment camps. Aki Ito and her parents have been released from Manzanar, an internment camp, where they had been detained since the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. The Itos resettle in Chicago, where Aki’s sister Rose moved months earlier. On the eve of their arrival, Rose is killed by a subway train. The police rule Rose’s death a suicide, but Aki refuses to believe her sister would kill herself, and so she delves into Rose’s life in Chicago to learn the truth of her death. Young readers are invited to participate by checking out the following books to learn more about Japanese American history: Fish for Jimmy: Inspired by One Family’s Experience in a Japanese American Internment Camp (kids), Dash (tweens) and We Are Not Free (teens). For the first time since 2019, this year’s OBOV will culminate with an in-person visit by Naomi Hirahara on Thursday, October 27. She will be joined in conversation with historian Erik Matsunaga. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Arlington Heights cardholders – register September 1. Registration opens to the general public starting September 15. See page 5 for more information. Visit ahml.info/onebook for more information.

One Book, One Village invites the community to read the same book at the same time and share in the experience through related programming and book discussions. For a copy of Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara, stop by the Info Desk, Senior Center, bookmobile, download on cloudLibrary or call 847-392-0100. Discuss the book with your own book club. Reserve a set of books to check out. Book discussion questions are also available for your group to get the conversation started. Learn more at ahml. info/onebook.

Discuss the Book Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara See full list of discussion dates at ahml.info/onebook.

Senior Center Discussion

Wednesday, September 14, 10 a.m. Senior Center or Zoom

Virtual Discussion

Monday, September 19, 7–8 p.m. / Zoom

ESL Discussion

Tuesday, September 27, 1–2 p.m. Kinokuniya Bookstore inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, 100 E. Algonquin Rd.

Arlington Ale House Discussion

Wednesday, September 28, 7–8 p.m. Arlington Ale House, 111 W. Campbell St. (third floor)

Related Book Discussions

Infamy: The Shocking Story of the Japanese American Internment in World War II by Richard Reeves

Dash by Kirby Larson

Monday, September 19, 4:30–5:45 p.m. Hendrickson Room For tweens grades 4–6. See Page 11.

Wednesday, September 21, 7–8 p.m. Eddie’s Restaurant, 10 E. Northwest Hwy. For adults. See Page 24.

Meet the Author

An Evening wtith Author Naomi Hirahara

Thursday, October 27, 7–8:30 p.m. Forest View Auditorium, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd. Naomi Hirahara joins us in-person to share the story behind Clark and Division. Register at the Info Desk, by phone at 847-392-0100 or online at ahml.info. Register September 1 – Arlington Heights cardholders only. Registration opens to the general public September 15, as space allows. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Suminagashi Floating Ink

Thursday, September 8 For kids. See page 10.

Stab Bookbinding

Saturday, September 10 For adults. See page 14.

The History of Chicago’s Japanese American Community

Tuesday, September 13 For adults. See page 14.

Japanese Tea Workshop

Wednesday, September 14 For ESL students. See page 22.

Life in a Japanese American Internment Camp

Tuesday, September 20 For adults. See page 15.

Wednesday Cinema: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Wednesday, September 21 For adults. See page 15.

Wonderful Matcha

Saturday, September 24 For adults. See page 30.

Introduction to Japanese American Genealogy

Wednesday, September 28 For adults. See page 21.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Visit

Thursday, October 6 For adults. See page 15.

OBOV AROUND TOWN

Stop by for OBOV pop-up events around town to learn about this year’s book and get fun giveaways.

Saturday, September 17, 9 a.m.–noon Farmers Market, N. Vail Ave. & W. Fremont St.

Tuesday, September 27, 12:30–2:30 p.m. Kinokuniya Bookstore in Mitsuwa Marketplace 100 E. Algonquin Rd.

Friday, September 30, 5–7 p.m. Harmony Fest featuring the Taste of Arlington Heights

Saturday, October 1, 9–11 a.m. Mitsuwa Marketplace, 100 E. Algonquin Rd.