Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Special Community Event: Leo Africanus Website Creator Cristel de Rouvray

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2005 is proud to host this special event at Pioneer High School, 601 West Stadium, Ann Arbor, in Schreiber Auditorium. Cristel de Rouvray, who attends the London School of Economics, spent 9 months in 2000-2001 traveling through Morocco on a Fulbright research scholarship, following in the footsteps of Leo Africanus. She then created a website, www.leoafricanus.com, which has been used internationally for Leo Africanus information by students, teachers and those curious about Leo's 16th century travels.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: On Becoming Chinese American with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang was both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese American? Ms. Wang's discussion will touch on issues raised by this year's theme, China and America: Bridging Two Worlds, and the selected book, The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother, by William Poy Lee. As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one moment in time. She will share the stories of the different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture through her life, including during childhood, as a young adult, and as a parent.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: Revolutionary Scientists: The Legacy of Albert Einstein

In 1905, trained in physics and mathematics, Albert Einstein took an office job because he could not find a teaching position. That year, he published three papers detailing revolutionary theories related to space and time, quantum mechanics, and the existence of atoms. The ideas would rock the foundations of science. Join Dr. Zurbuchen as he, through a fascinating audio-visual presentation, carries us back to 1905, when Einstein changed the scientific world forever.Prof. Zurbuchen has a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Working Together: the Arab and Jewish Women of Ann Arbor's Zeitouna

Zeitouna is a local group composed of six Arab and six Jewish women from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. All are American citizens. They are a dialogue group and, over the past two years, have found ways to discuss the Middle East, including their own personal stories and the politics of peace.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads Event - Travel to the Heart of 'The Beak of the Finch' - the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are the habitat for some of the world's most unusual animals and plants, many found nowhere else. Will Weber, owner of Journeys International, will lead us on a tour of this unique area. Joan and Will Weber of Ann Arbor founded Journeys International in 1978 while they were UM graduate students.

2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Author William Poy Lee Discusses "The Eighth Promise"

Acclaimed author William Poy Lee will make a special appearance as part of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. His book, "The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother," has been chosen as the focus of the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. Mr. Poy will discuss his book and his perspective on the Chinese American experience. A book signing will follow, with books for sale at the event, courtesy of Borders.This appearance is a key event for the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti reads program, which this year focuses on the theme China and America: Bridging Two Worlds.