The Cinema Arts Centre will donate children’s graphic novels to 10 Long Island school districts and libraries.
Thirty-three copies the graphic novel Roller Coaster Grandma: The Amazing Story of Dr. Ruth will be given to school districts and libraries in Nassau and Suffolk County.
The graphic novel was written by author and media personality Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who visited Cinema Arts for a talk in June.
The autobiography, for ages 8-12, depicts the ups and downs of Dr. Ruth’s life, from her escape from the Nazis at age 10 aboard a Kindertransport, to her training as a sniper with the Hagganah in Israel, through her immigration to the U.S. where she started as a maid, became a college professor, and eventually a television star.
Using a trip to an amusement park with her grandchildren as its framework, the story demonstrates lessons of grit, resilience, and strength that young readers can apply to their own lives.
The Cinema Arts Centre hopes that by sharing Dr. Ruth’s incredible story it may help to inspire and empower the young people of our community.
The institutions receiving the donated books include: South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Public Library, Syosset Public Library, Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, Cold Spring Harbor Library, South Huntington Union Free School District, Harborfields Central School District, Huntington Union Free School District, and Northport-East Northport Union Free School District.
Dr. Jud Newborn, who curated the event An Evening with Dr. Ruth at the Cinema Arts Centre last month, and CAC Board Member Stephen Fisch arranged for the donation.