BANGOR – The rustle of turning pages will emanate from the city during Bangor Public Library’s fifth annual community Bangor Reads. This year’s choice is “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” by Gary D. Schmidt, a book for young adults that received the Printz Honor and Newbery Book awards.

The book, written for young adults, is based on an incident that happened in Maine at the turn of the last century. The book was chosen to celebrate the library’s 100th year of service to the children of Bangor, but it has something for all ages.

The various programs surrounding Bangor Reads are free and all are welcome to attend. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the library.

The novel, set in 1911 in the Maine town of Phippsburg, touches many themes, including racism, a controversial friendship between a preacher’s son and a black woman, economic development, eminent domain, code enforcement, and the shameful destruction of Malaga Island, a poor community settled by former slaves that once existed off the Maine coast.

The story centers on Turner Buckminster, whose father moved the family from Boston to become the minister in Phippsburg. As time goes by, everything Turner does seems to be wrong. His only friend is Lizzie Bright Griffin from Malaga Island. Meanwhile, town leaders plan to build a big hotel on Malaga Island. Events take a number of nasty and unfortunate turns, ending with a quiet, tragic reality. The author bases the story on facts from the early 1900s, while reflecting the challenges still faced by many contemporary young people.

Bangor Reads is designed to have everyone in the city read the same book at the same time. It is an opportunity to talk with a neighbor, with someone in line at the grocery store or with a teenager about ideas generated by a story. It is a way to have discussions, displays, reenactments, talks and related events to enhance the selected book. It brings the community together during the heart of a Maine winter.

Bangor Reads events take place in the Lecture Hall unless otherwise indicated. The schedule is:

. Recorded interview with author Gary D. Schmidt, presented by Jim Riordon, 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 3.

. “Eminent Domain Today,” Jim Austin of the Maine Municipal Association, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4.

. Young adult book discussion led by Dianna Christakos, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7.

. “Whales and Their Behavior,” Sean Todd, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10.

. “History of Young Adult Literature,” Cynthia Dean and Anne Miller, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11.

. Book discussion led by Esther Rauch, 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12.

. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, with a re-enactor, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, Story Room. Sponsored by Husson College.

. “Growing Up African American in Bangor,” Roger George, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18.

. “History of African Americans in Maine,” Bethany Meservey, 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19.

. Book discussion led by Margery Irvine, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19.

. “History of Pineland Hospital and Training Center,” Richard Kimball, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.

. “Weather Talk,” Ted Shapiro, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23.

. Book discussion led by Kathleen Ellis, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.

. All Souls Congregational Church Youth Choir, 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Story Room.

. Soloist Jamie Derosier and pianist Dana Ross performing hymns from “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy,” 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30.