• Home
  • Whittier Reads 2024

Whittier Reads is an annual citywide literary event that encourages members of the Whittier community to read the same book at the same time and then discuss it in book groups and participate in special programs which are offered at our Libraries.

The Whittier Public Library Foundation has been the sponsor for this community-wide program from its inception since 2004 and has provided funding for the implementation of this program.

The Whittier Public Library in partnership with the Foundation will offer a variety of programs throughout the month of April for the community.

The selection for the 2024 Whittier Reads is Stealing Home, by Eric Nusbaum.

stealing home cover

Overview

A story about baseball, family, the American Dream, and the fight to turn Los Angeles into a big league city.

Stadium is an American icon. But the story of how it came to be goes far beyond baseball. The hills that cradle the stadium were once home to three vibrant Mexican American communities. In the early 1950s, those communities were condemned to make way for a utopian public housing project. Then, in a remarkable turn, public housing in the city was defeated amidst a Red Scare conspiracy.

Instead of getting their homes back, the remaining residents saw the city sell their land to Walter O'Malley, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Now LA would be getting a different sort of utopian fantasy: a glittering, ultra-modern stadium.

But before Dodger Stadium could be built, the city would have to face down the neighborhood's families -- including one, the Aréchigas, who refused to yield their home. The ensuing confrontation captivated the nation.

Stealing Home asks questions that cut across American history and into the present about power, family, and who is allowed to claim this country as their own—inside the book jacket

Copies of Stealing Home are available for checkout at both Libraries.  Books will be available for purchase at both libraries starting March 1.

About the Author

Eric Nusbaum is a former sports editor at VICE. In addition to VICE, his work on sports, history, and culture has appeared in ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Outside, The Daily Beast, Deadspin, and the Best American Sports Writing anthology. Eric was born and raised in L.A. He has spent many hours both attending games at Dodger Stadium, and sitting in traffic to reach those games. He has also lived and worked in Seattle and Mexico City.

eric nusbaum photo1

Programs

Tuesday, April 2:

  • Reading Baseball: Stories, Not Statistics with Joe Price - Central @ 6:00pm - Free

Wednesday, April 10:

  • Wednesday Night Book Group Discussion on Stealing Home - Central @ 6:00pm - Free (The author will not be present)

Thursday, April 11:

  • Bookworm Battle Baseball Trivia Night - Central @ 6:00pm - (Free ticket and sign-up at Reference Desk)

Monday, April 15:

  • Reel Club: Chavez Ravine Documentary - Central @ 6:00pm - Free

Wednesday, April 17

  • Natalia Molina & Gustavo Arellano in Conversation - Central @ 6:00pm - Free

Friday, April 19:

  • Family Film Afternoon: The Sandlot - Branch @ 3:00pm - Free

Thursday, April 25:

  • Author Talk - Author Eric Nusbaum will discuss his book Stealing Home - Central @ 5:00pm - Free
  • Author Reception & Dinner - Central @ 7:00pm
    Tickets: $75 general public / $65 for WPL Foundation members
    Tickets can be purchased online at https://whittierplf.org/dinner-with-author/

If you would like to become a sponsor for Whittier Reads, visit https://whittierplf.org/whittier-reads-sponsorship/ 

Library Locations

Whittier Central Library

7344 Washington Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
(562) 567-9900

Mon-Wed 10am - 8pm
Thu-Sat 10am - 5pm
Sun - Closed

Veterans Resource Center
Mon-Fri 10am - 2pm
Please call 562-567-9900 for questions

Passport Processing
By appointment only:
www.whittierlibrary.org/services/passport-services
Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm
Sat 10am - 2pm

Whittwood Branch Library

10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.
Whittier, CA 90603
(562) 567-9950

Mon-Wed 10am - 8pm
Thur - Sat 10am - 5pm
Sun - Closed

Passport Processing
By appointment only: www.whittierlibrary.org/services/passport-services
Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm
Sat 10am - 2pm