February, March events

Saratoga Reads will hold events in February and March designed to involve the whole family in reading and discussion. All events are open to the public.

The program's book of choice for this year, selected by a public vote, is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, the tale of a ragtag traveling circus during the Great Depression. The book has been on the New York Times bestseller list since July 2007. For young readers, the junior companion books are When the Circus Came to Town by Polly Horvath, for grades 4-8, and Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer, for grades K-3.

Saratoga Reads will hold two events at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. For adults, there will be a discussion on the themes of Water for Elephants in the library's Higher Grounds Caff . A session for young readers, grades 4-6, will take place in the library's Community Room. Led by student mentors from Skidmore College and Saratoga Springs High School, the participants will discuss When the Circus Came to Town. Registration for the children's event is required. The children's group will have a follow-up discussion at the library on March 20, 6-7:30 p.m.

The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library will present "Tales from the Watering Hole: Remembering Depression Era" from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13, in the library's Community Room. Inspired by the events and themes of Water for Elephants, the program will explore the history of Saratoga Springs during the Great Depression. Through oral histories, presentations, and discussion, panelists will cover a range of topics, from the colorful entertainment and occasionally notorious figures of the times to the effect of the Depression on the local community. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but tickets are required and will be available at the library's Information Desk.

A "brown-bag chat" about Water for Elephants for parents (while kids play) will be hosted by the Children's Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St., on Thursday, March 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents are invited to bring their children for playtime while the adults discuss the Saratoga Reads book of choice. Adults and children will be together in the museum's Community Room. The event is free for Children's Museum members, while regular admission will be charged for non-members. For more information on the museum event call 518-584-5540 or visit the Children's Museum Web site .

For more information on Saratoga Reads, visit the program's Web site .

Saratoga Reads is a Skidmore College-Saratoga collaboration.