The Big Read

What is The Big Read?
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Learn more from the NEA Web site.

Our book selection
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

About the author
“I'm one of the few – if there are any more – people moderately literate who take the detective story seriously. I don't mean that I necessarily take my own or anybody else's seriously – but the detective story as a form. Some day somebody's going to make ‘literature' of it…and I'm selfish enough to have my hopes.” -Dashiell Hammett in a 1928 letter to Blanche Knopf
Learn more about Mr. Hammett by visiting the NEA's Big Read Web page.

The Maltese Falcon video contest
The Maltese Falcon has been stolen...can you solve the mystery? Teens ages 12-18 are invited to create a short film in the noir style for Teen Tech Week using The Maltese Falcon. Get the details on the JoCoTeenScene Web site.

Find The Maltese Falcon Contest
With hints found on the 96.5 The Buzz Web site, you just might find The Maltese Falcon in the Kansas City area! Get the details. 

Get involved!
The Library and supporting organizations offer many programs related to The Big Read. Check out our blog for upcoming programs or download a list of all the upcoming events (PDF).

Can't get enough of The Maltese Falcon? Try these:
Search the Library catalog for books by Dashiell Hammett. Download a printable list of Hammett's books (PDF).
Dashiell Hammett Read-alikes
The Maltese Falcon View-alikes

What did you think?
Please fill out our short online survey and tell us what you thought about The Maltese Falcon.

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