Silicon Valley Reads
2013 Cupertino Silicon Valley Reads
Essay Contest Winners Announced!
The Cupertino Library Foundation sponsored the 2013 Cupertino Silicon Valley Reads essay contest on two books about the “invisible wounds of war.” These books were selected for Silicon Valley Reads 2013, the regional program that asks everyone in Santa Clara County to read the same books, at the same time, and talk about them.
Essay Contest Guidelines for 2013
Please see Silicon Valley Reads 2013 for links to a full listing of the numerous programs throughout Santa Clara County scheduled in early 2013.
- Read one of the selected books
- Write a 500-word essay answering the 2013 essay contest question
- Submit your entry by March 18, 2013
- And you could win a cash prize!
2013 Book Selections
The Silicon Valley Reads 2013 Book Selections “The Long Walk” by Brian Castner, and “Minefields of the Heart” by Sue Diaz can be borrowed from the Cupertino library or they are available for purchase from local or online booksellers.
Essay Contest Question
In 500 words, reflect on a difficult personal experience with which you, your family or a friend were involved. How is this experience similar to, or different from, the challenges faced by either Brian Castner, the author of The Long Walk, or Sue Diaz, the author of Minefields of the Heart? What lessons did you learn from either of these authors that would be helpful in dealing with your difficult experience?
Entry Deadline: Monday, March 18, 2013
Companion Books
More information on companion books appropriate for children is available at the Silicon Valley Reads 2013 website.
2013 Essay Contest Rules
The Essay Contest is open to all adults living or working in the City of Cupertino or students attending the area high schools of Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook or Monta Vista.
Click here to download the 2013 Essay Contest Rules and an Official Entry Form (PDF) for Eligibility, Essay Requirements, Submissions, Judging Criteria, Awards, Notification, Conditions and other important information as well as an Official Entry Form.
Support from The Cupertino Library Foundation
The Cupertino Library Foundation for many years has been the co-sponsor of the Silicon Valley Reads program in Cupertino featuring talks by the authors of the selected books as well as other activities relating to the featured program. For the fifth year, the Foundation is again sponsoring an essay contest open to the Cupertino community with two Grand Prize Winners of $500 each and two Second Place Winners of $300 each.
Cupertino April 13, 2013 Event
Free Featured Author Event
“Invisible Wounds of War”
A conversation with authors
Brian Castner and Sue Diaz
Moderated by Dr. Brian Murphy,
President of De Anza College
Saturday, April 13
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Cupertino Community Hall
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm A conversation with the authors
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Questions and answers
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Essay Contest winners announced and book signings
Click here to download the event flyer (PDF).
Click here to RSVP for the free event.
More Events
“War & Healing”
Events listed below will be held at De Anza College or include participation of De Anza representatives as part of the Silicon Valley Reads Program.
For a complete list of the Silicon Valley Reads 2013 events and information about the authors and their books, visit the Silicon Valley Reads website.
Feb. 4-March 21
Monday – Thursday, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closed Monday, Feb. 18
Location: Euphrat Museum of Art
A reception for the artists will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with printmaking demonstrations by Diego Marcial Rios.
2013 Event Sponsors
Click here for more information on how you can be a sponsor.
- Platinum
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
Click here to download the 2013 Essay Contest Rules and an Official Entry Form (PDF) or submit your essay contest entry online. And bookmark this site to keep up on other exciting announcements regarding Cupertino 2013 Silicon Valley Reads.
