This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 23, 2009 - From the comfort of life as a pet in California to a cold and demanding life as a Yukon sled dog, Jack London's Buck has heeded "The Call of the Wild" along with audiences around the world since the book was published in 1903.
Like the best of books, this one entices readers race along with Buck from page to page. And now the call comes from St. Charles, where the community will participate in The Big Read during February.
The purpose, says Joyce Rosen, executive director of the Foundry Arts Centre, is "to restore reading to the American culture. So many people do not read anymore and so that's our game plan."
The Big Read in St. Charles will be the city's first and is sponsored by the Foundry and the St. Charles City-County Library District.
A $20,000 grant was awarded from the National Endowment for the Arts. That money has been matched by the participating organizations.
In St. Charles, events will kick off Sunday, Feb. 1.
"I think we're planning a month that is going to be very exciting," says Jane Isenberg, who works in public relations with the Foundry.
That begins with a little something wild -- a visit from the Gateway Sled Dog Club of Eureka.
Other highlights include book making events at the Foundry, book discussions throughout St. Charles, story times, movies and lectures.
On Feb. 9, 10 and 11, former Iditarod racer Karen Land will speak at area schools during the day and at area libraries in the evening. She'll bring her sled dog, Borage, with her.
"Our goal is to get everyone thinking about 'The Call of the Wild,' and talking about it," says Sara Nielsen, manager of community branches and adult programs with the St. Charles City-County Library District.
Nielsen hopes reading the book together throughout the month will help people in the community connect with reading again and with each other.
This year, the NEA awarded 208 grants around the country for The Big Read. Participants include Washington University and the city of St. Louis, reading "To Kill a Mockingbird." For more information on The Big Read, go to www.neabigread.org .
Kristen Hare is a freelance journalist.