In the month leading up to the Oct. 14, 2023 annular eclipse, we’ll be reflecting our place in space through the lens of four books and related activities.
We hope you’ll join the One Community Four Books conversation, then pause to watch the eclipse with friends and neighbors.
The books:
The One Community Four Books series is made possible by a private grant.
The library has made extra copies of these books available so many readers can participate in the discussions. We hope many of you will choose to read at least one of the titles. To participate in the discussions, you do not have to use a library-owned copy of the book.
Patrons who read one of the books and log their reading (same idea as the Summer Reading program) can pick up a prize at the 3rd Floor Reference Desk between Sept. 15 and Oct. 13. Prizes include pens, pencils, stickers, and solar eclipse glasses.
Adult Fiction: Sea of Tranquilty : A Novel by Emily St. John Mandel
–Sweeping science fiction from the author of Station Eleven.
Related activity:
- Book Discussion for adults on Tuesday, Oct. 10
Adult Non-Fiction: Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, From Missiles to the Moon to Mars by Nathalia Holt
–A history of the women who propelled American rocketry.
Related activity:
- Book Discussion for adults on Tuesday, Oct. 10
Junior Fiction: Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass
–A novel of growing up, making friends, and studying eclipses.
Related activities:
- Teen Book Club (ages 13 – 18) on Tuesday, Sept. 19
- Tween Book Club (ages 9 – 12) on Thursday, Oct. 5
Picture Book Fiction: Cassandra and the Night Sky by Amy Jackson
–Featuring friendship, space, and the stars.
Related activities:
- Rockin’ Kids Club: Meet the author of Cassandra and the Night Sky for elementary students on Monday, Oct. 2
- Just for fun, explore more about The Moon and Beyond with this book list for young kids
Activities beyond the books:
One Community Four Books activities are designed to appeal to a variety of ages and interests–see the full list.
You’ll find educational playtimes for little kids, science activities for elementary and tween kids, a tween writing program, informational talks, and of course, book clubs featuring our four books.
Some participants in these events will win a pair of safe solar eclipse viewing glasses.
DIY Afterparty: The Annular Eclipse
Many participants in One Community Four Books will go home with a free pair of solar eclipse safety glasses.
The morning of Saturday, Oct. 14, Round Rock will be adjacent to the path of an annular solar eclipse. We hope you’ll use the moment to build community by gathering with friends and neighbors to observe this very special event.
We’ve collected resources to help you host a safe and fun annular eclipse viewing party.
Learn the basics about the Annular Eclipse
In an annular eclipse, the moon is a little farther from the earth than it is during a total solar eclipse.
Because the moon is farther away, it appears smaller to us. At that distance, the moon appears only large enough to cover the center of the sun. The sun looks like a brilliant “ring of fire” (an annulus) suspended in the sky.
An annular eclipse also creates ringlets of shadows on the ground.
Use this simulation to see what viewers in Round Rock can expect Oct. 14. Our neighbors just a short ride to the west and south will experience an annular eclipse.
The Library has a limited supply of eclipse safety glasses that will be given to participants in One Community Four Books activities, while supplies last.
The Library will also be providing information on safe viewing techniques for people who do not have access to eclipse safety glasses.
