PCCC Co-Hosts Books Unite: A Series of Free Community Events to Promote Literacy

PATERSON, NJ — Passaic County Community College (PCCC) announces an exciting collaboration with Literature to Life (LTL) – a New York-based company that promotes literacy – and the Paterson Public Library to present Books Unite, a program to promote literacy and community engagement through reading.

Books Unite: Literature to Life in Paterson, is a yearlong series of free community events, offering book club meetings, theater performances, and interactive workshops designed to engage community members through powerful stories and shared conversation.

The first Books Unite event in Paterson takes place in March and is a three-part program based on the popular novel
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, which tells the story of Julia Reyes, a high school student who dreams of becoming a writer while also navigating familial expectations, examining cultural standards, and investigating the death of her sister, Olga —who might not have been quite as perfect as she seemed.

Participants will read the novel, then are welcome to join any or all of three events based on the novel: A book club discussion, a theatrical presentation, and an interactive workshop. Everyone is welcome to participate. Free copies of the novel may be obtained at the Paterson Public Library Main Branch at 250 Broadway.

Book Club Discussion – March 2 at 6:00 pm in the Paterson Public Library.The discussion will be facilitated by PCCC adjunct professor Sherry Tanski and offer participants the opportunity to share their thoughts and engage in community dialogue and connection.

Theater Presentation – March 5 will be performed twice at 1:10 pm and 6:00 pm in the PCCC Theater, 204 Ellison Street @ Memorial Drive. See the novel come to life onstage.  LTL’s production, adapted and directed by Ana Maria Jomolca and starring Elizabeth Raquel Ramirez, explores issues of identity, trauma, and grief, allowing audiences to see both raw emotion and humor through the eyes of a budding young writer.  There will be a pre- and post-performance discussion led by Ms. Jomoica.

Interactive Workshop -March 12 at 1:10 pm on the PCCC campus. Come and explore  further the themes presented in the novel, by engaging in shared experiences and conversations.  

The program is supported by a generous grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) program.

Literature to Life is a nonprofit, performance-based literacy organization that transforms American literary classics into professionally staged verbatim adaptations. LTL performs nationally in performing arts centers, schools, libraries, and correctional facilities. To learn more about Literature to Life, visit literaturetolife.org or find LTL on social media @lit2life.

“We are so excited to launch this year-long community series with I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” says Lisa Beth Vettoso, Executive Director. “At Literature to Life, we believe all voices matter, and we would love to have YOUR voice represented at any of these events. Please join us!”  For more information about Literature to Life contact : Alyssa Monte at  [email protected]

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For questions about the March presentations, contact Susan Balik, [email protected]

For MEDIA who wish to cover the events at PCCC, contact Linda Telesco at [email protected]  or 973-684-6603