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June 21, 2023
I want to thank everyone who participated in the spring season of the Mary Ann Key Book Club. I attended the event with Javier Zamora on May 23 and was moved by his openness about his trauma and personal struggles stemming from a perilous and nearly lethal journey from El Salvador to the U.S. as a nine-year-old.
Like many in the audience, I was captivated by the conversation between Javier and Myron Metcalf. There was a palpable connection between Javier and the in-person audience, with deep listening, laughter, and tears. I stayed at Central until Javier finished signing books (and taking selfies) and he told me that the May 23rd event was among the best - if not the best - that he has done. That says it all.
Earlier in May, Myron hosted a community discussion of Solito with Susana De León, Fernanda Acosta and Teresa Ortiz. This panel discussion was informative and thought provoking. We also hosted several virtual book club events in Spanish – a first for the series.
Hennepin County Library’s mission is to inspire, facilitate, and celebrate lifelong learning. Programs like the Mary Ann Key Book Club are an important part of our effort to pursue that mission. The book club continues to succeed in its goal of being a catalyst for deep and meaningful conversations that transcend the season’s title.
None of this would be possible without partnerships. Thank you to Myron Medcalf for sharing your idea for a book club and, once again, for your ability to create space for conversations that go far beyond an incredible book. We’re honored by Javier Zamora and our panelists Susana De León, Fernanda Acosta, and Teresa Ortiz who brought important perspectives on the book and to the ongoing conversations about United States immigration policy.
A big thank you to the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Their generosity has fueled the Mary Ann Key Book Club and expanded its reach. My congratulations to the entire Mary Ann Key Book Club team for an amazing job in organizing all of these events.
If you haven’t had a chance to participate in an event, I highly recommend you join us at our next one. I’m looking forward to the announcement of next season’s title, and hope you’ll be able to participate again.
- Daniel Rogan, Interim Library Director and Assistant County Administrator for Resident Services
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Myron and Susana discuss "Solito" (YouTube:, 15:55 duration)
What scenes in the book have stayed with you the most?
Share your reflections and feedback with us at MaryAnnKey@hclib.org.
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- “I have attended every Mary Ann Key Book Club event thus far. Each one has been amazing! But in my view, this one was a cut above the others because of the way Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Zamora engaged so intimately with each other. Neither man seemed guarded, both were wide open, vulnerable and very real which gave me, and I hope other audience members, an opportunity to see them as human beings rather than only getting to see them as an author and a journalist. Thank you!”
- “[Javier] spoke with such “realness.” I especially enjoyed hearing from people in the audience with a similar experience as Javier and hear how they connected with one another.”
- “I always gain so much from reading these selections and hearing author and panelist perspectives. It's exhilarating to be able to ask questions of such impressive and admirable local community leaders and authors during these live events. This book club is such a great reminder that reading great works, initially a solitary experience, is inestimably made richer through community discussion. That experience is lost to many of us once we leave high school and college classrooms, so I'm very grateful that this book club exists and that I am able to participate.”
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Mary Ann Key Book Club – Una Discusión Comunitaria del Libro "Solito"
Jueves 22 de Junio, 6-7 p.m.
Evento de panelistas con organizadores/ activistas comunitarios que van a platicar sobre el libro “Solito” y cómo se conectaron personalmente con la historia de Javier Zamora. Este evento sera en Español. Patrocinador: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Este programa sera por Zoom. Regístrese aquí: https://bit.ly/june22MAK
Titles selected by HCL Juntos Team
A multi-service Latino organization providing holistic and culturally-centered programming in health & wellness and education for children and adults.
A nonprofit providing immigration legal assistance and policy advocacy for low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota.
The hub for Latinos in Minnesota and the bridge for anyone wanting to connect with our community.
Monday, June 26, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Sumner Library
Commemorate Juneteenth by learning about its history. Master Storyteller, Nothando Zulu will share stories for all ages about Juneteenth, Freedom, and African American folklore in this interactive performance.
Talk of the Stacks with Erika L. Sánchez
Wednesday, July 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Online event
Join Friends of the Hennepin County Library online for an evening with bestselling author Erika L. Sánchez (“I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter”) as she celebrates the paperback release of her memoir, “Crying in the Bathroom,” in a special conversation with Minnesota Book Award-winning author Anika Fajardo.
Register through Friends of the Hennepin County Library event page
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