The Claire Yorks
Reading & Discussion
Series
STORY BRANCH
Monday, August 24th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Orbital
by Samantha Harvey
Monday, September 21st
4:30pm – 6:00pm
The Book of Unknown Americans
by Christina Henriquez
Monday, October 19th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Monday, November 23rd
4:30pm – 6:00pm
A Fever in the Heartland
by Timothy Egan
TONGUE RIVER BRANCH
Wednesday, September 9th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Wednesday, October 14th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
A Fever in the Heartland
by Timothy Egan
Wednesday, November 18th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
The Book of Unknown Americans
by Christina Henriquez
Wednesday, December 9th
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Orbital
by Samantha Harvey
Theme: Looking from a Different Perspective
This program explores how changing our point of view can deepen our understanding. Through four compelling books, participants will experience the world from unique perspectives: viewing Earth from orbit, seeing life through the eyes of an autistic teenager, understanding the experiences of undocumented immigrants, and the influence and widespread reach of the Ku Klux Klan in America. Together, these works invite thoughtful discussion about empathy, perception, and the many ways our perspectives shape how we understand the world.
FULMER BRANCH
Tuesday, September 8th
12:00pm – 1:30pm
A Bride Goes West
by Nannie Alderson
Tuesday, October 13th
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Wandering Stars
by Tommy Orange
Tuesday, November 10th
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Open Season
by C.J. Box
Tuesday, December 8th
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Where Rivers Change Direction
by Mark Spragg
Theme: A Road Trip West, Through Time.
Our road trip west begins with Nannie T. Alderson’s memoir A Bride Goes West, from West Virginia, to settle with her husband near Birney, Montana in 1883.
Our next trip west, Wandering Stars, spans generations and geography following a Native American family’s history from the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre through to present day in Oakland, California.
Our third trip finds us here at home in the Big Horns, Open Season, with Joe Pickett, Game Warden, investigating murders linking modern day western issues: endangered species, a natural gas pipeline, and threats to the environment and local economy.
Where Rivers Change Direction, by Mark Spragg ends our western road trip in 1999, 100 years after Nannie Alderson’s, with a memoir about his coming-of-age on his family’s dude ranch in Cody.
Your Moderators
Katie Curtiss
“My background is in the Humanities. For perhaps 23 years I taught classes in the Humanities at Sheridan College. I have served on the Humanities Council and the Board of the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming. The Claire Yorks foundation has created a fantastic community of readers in 3 communites. I thank Claire Yorks for allowming me to “talk” books with an awesome group of people.”
Norleen Healy
Norleen taught English and Humanities at the Sheridan College for over 30 years. Her love and commitment to community book discussions began when she served as a board member of the Wyoming Humanities Council where she led the first theme based book discussion series throughout the state. She is grateful to the Sheridan library system and the Claire Yorks endowment which allows and encourages these discussions to continue throughout the system providing and open forum for the sharing and discussion of books.
“The Claire Yorks Book discussion group is an essential program to this library system. Over the last ten years I have seen first hand how it serves a wide ranging age group, with an array of literary backgrounds and passions. It brings them together in one room for a face to face conversation that is expertly moderated by experienced, educated, engaging, and welcoming moderators.”
– Kim Jacobsen
Claire Yorks
A Brief Biography
Claire Yorks was born on July 21, 19818, in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Leroy and Mildred Calkins. After graduating from high school in Sheridan, she relocated to Seattle to work in the aircraft industry during World War II, where she met and married her husband, Samuel Yorks. Claire later earned a degree in social work from Portland State University. Upon retiring in 1982, the Yorks returned to Sheridan, where they actively engaged as community volunteers. Her husband, Sam Yorks was the first of adult reading and discussion groups at the Fulmer Library in Sheridan.
The Claire Yorks Reading and Discussion Series is generously supported by the Claire Yorks Endowment, established at the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.
Every spring and fall, the Claire Yorks Book Discussion Series is hosted at the Fulmer, Story, and Tongue River Branches. Each season features two distinct themes, depending on the branch, allowing community members to explore four related books over a four-month period. Groups meet monthly at their respective libraries, facilitated by experienced moderators.
The series provides and excellent opportunity for the community members to connect with one another and engages in enriching discussions. Whether you are a lifelong reader or new to book discussion, you will find a welcoming environment where thoughtfully selected themes spark curiosity and inspire meaningful dialogue. Participants frequently discover new authors and genres, broadening their literary horizons while forming valuable connections with fellow readers.
