Chattanooga Big Read kicks off with 'Silver Sparrow' book signing, party

"Silver Sparrow," by Atlanta native Tayari Jones, was the pick for Chattanooga's community read.

If you made a resolution to turn over a new page and read more this year, the Chattanooga Big Read kickoff tonight, Jan. 19, could help turn good intentions into action.

Chattanooga Big Read is a local program of the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read. The local reading effort is sponsored by Writers@Work, an annual program of Chattanooga State Community College's Humanities Department, which is hosting the kickoff party at The Camp House.

Each year, NEA names several novels as Big Read selections. "Silver Sparrow," fiction by Atlanta native Tayari Jones, was the pick for Chattanooga's community read. Through an NEA grant, supplemented by funds from the Tennessee Arts Commission, Unum and Chattanooga State's Humanities Department, about 2,000 copies of "Silver Sparrow" were purchased and distributed to students in 11 area high schools, says Dr. Joel Henderson, Humanities Department chairman.

"Silver Sparrow" is about two families of a bigamist, James Witherspoon, told through the voices of Witherspoon's daughter in each family. Chaurisse Witherspoon and her mother, Laverne, have no idea there is a second family. Dana Yarboro, James' daughter with second wife Gwen, is told by her father that she's a secret. She grows up with only covert glimpses of Chaurisse and the life she might have had.

"I actually wanted Dana, Chaurisse and their mothers to each have a turn telling the story," says Jones, who is in town today to attend a 2 p.m. book signing at Star Line Books and the kickoff tonight.

"I wanted this to be about parent sharing, not man sharing. But I realized two women sharing the same man could become Jerry Springer on you really quickly," she chuckles.

The idea of siblings who never met is one that has intrigued the author for years. She grew up in Atlanta, out of contact with two sisters by the same dad, but not the same mother, who lived in Louisiana.

"I always felt like I had two sisters who were out of reach as a little girl. That was always interesting to me."

Tonight's kickoff party begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be music by jazz trio Charlie the Head, a cash bar and desserts leading up to a reading and book signing by Jones. Book-Club-in-a-Bag starter kits will be given away while supplies last.

Events have been scheduled through mid-April in support of Chattanooga Big Read. They will explore the novel's themes through art, drama and even a discussion led by family therapist Laura Huddleston in March. On one of her follow-up visits this spring, Jones will visit Tyner Academy for a discussion of her book with students, who are participating in a schoolwide reading effort.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.