Hope College’s Big Read Lakeshore program will host several free, community events this month as part of its 2026 program.
West Michigan author Gary D. Schmidt — this year’s Big Read Lakeshore’s author – will discuss “The Wednesday Wars” book during a keynote address on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., at Hope’s Graves Hall. This free event is open to the community and no registration is necessary.
“The Wednesday Wars” is this year’s Big Read Lakeshore’s featured book by Schmidt, a local author of middle-grade and young-adult fiction novels. He is professor emeritus of English at Calvin University and resides in Alto, Mich. He will lead another discussion earlier in the day, around his “Okay for Now” book, at the Van Wylen Library at noon. Lunch will be served and registration is required by Friday, Nov. 6.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, Schmidt will also lead a writers workshop, at the Herrick District Library’s north branch from 1-2:30 p.m. Writers of all ages are invited and no registration is necessary.
As part of this year’s program, Schmidt will conduct author visits at nine schools and nine libraries across the area. In all, he will make 30 presentations for the Big Read Lakeshore program this year. Click here for a list of events.
About This Year’s Book Choice
“As a middle-grade novel, ‘The Wednesday Wars’ might seem an unusual choice for our
Big Read program,” said Deb Van Duinen, program director of the Big Read Lakeshore
and the Arnold and Esther Sonneveldt Professor of Education and department chair.
“However, our team believes that a good story is a good story and that middle-grade
fiction offers some of the best literature there is. We think readers of all ages
should read Gary’s books. We’re also hoping for many intergenerational discussions
and connection points in this year’s program.”
In lieu of separate Middle, Little and Mini Read programs, the Big Read program this year will focus on Schmidt’s books at large and his powerful storytelling. Participants in the 2026 Big Read Lakeshore are also being encouraged to read four other books by Schmidt:
- “Okay for Now” is a Children’s Choice Book Award winner. It follows Doug, who has to survive an abusive father and a prejudiced town. A librarian helps Doug learn about the healing power of art.
- “Orbiting Jupiter” is about a boy who learns the importance of trust and familial love after his parents adopt a 14 year-old who is a father.
- “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” is a Newbery Honor and Michael L. Printz Honor book. It is a historical fiction story about Malaga Island that explores themes of racial injustice and fighting for what you believe in.
- “The Labors of Hercules Beal” focuses on a boy who is assigned a modern version of the mythical Hercules’ 12 Labors while dealing with the recent death of his parents.
“We’re excited to offer a new kind of community-wide reading program this year. Gary Schmidt is a favorite author of many in our community and we have wanted to choose one of his books for a long time. We decided that this was the year to highlight Gary’s powerful storytelling and are thrilled that he’s willing to participate in so many author events in our community,” Van Duinen shared.
About Big Read Lakeshore
Big Read Lakeshore is a Hope College program in collaboration with many community
partners throughout Ottawa and Allegan counties. Now in its 13th year, Big Read Lakeshore
is a month-long, county-wide reading program that takes place each November to support
reading among various age groups and expose readers to great works for pleasure and
enrichment. The program encourages local book clubs interested in reading any of the
chosen titles to sign up on the program’s website (bigreadlakeshore.com) to gain access to free book discussion material and information on how to get involved.
Several private book clubs participate each year. For a full list of many other author
events, visit https://bigreadlakeshore.com/events/