For Young Readers

Three books were identified by the Big Read - Wichita partnership as companion books for Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried." Young readers may experience The Big Read along with other members of their family, making The Big Read an intergenerational experience.

Pre-K and early elementary: “The Wall” by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler [More information at Wichita Public Library]

Late elementary: “The Buddha's Diamonds” by Carolyn Marsden and Thay Phap Niem [More information at Wichita Public Library] 

Middle school: “Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American Boy” by Andrea Warren [More information at Wichita Public Library]

Teacher Resources

Teacher's guides on using O'Brien in the classroom are available online at The Big Read's national web site. The site also features the reader's guide, a radio show and other materials.

Teachers, parents, book clubs or others interested in previous Big Read titles may still receive free print copies of the reader's guide as supplies last. Classroom sets may be available. Contact Jennifer Heinicke at the Wichita Public Library, 316-261-8524 or jheinicke@wichita.gov for details. Previous titles are Willa Cather's "My Ántonia" (2008), "Great Tales of Edgar Allan Poe" (2009) and Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (2010). Information is also available for all Big Read titles can be found at www.neabigread.org.