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Just like the characters in the novel The Maltese Falcon, participants in The Big Read of the Pioneer Library System will engage in a quest to own a coveted work of art. Norman wildlife sculptor Jeff Littlejohn has been commissioned by the Pioneer Library System to create a series of sculptures to commemorate The Big Read: The Maltese Falcon.

The centerpiece of the series is an 18” bronze statue of a peregrine falcon perched on a stack of three books. The piece has been cast at the Crucible Foundry and Gallery in Norman and will be permanently installed in one of the hometown public libraries of the Pioneer Library System. The library that displays the piece will be determined by a drawing held as part of The Big Read finale at the Warren Theatre in Moore, April 22.

Are you seeking more clues to help solve the Word Magazine contest? Well you've come to the right place! The actors in "The Maltese Falcon" had long-ranging careers, with a wide variety of roles. Many of these films are available for free through your hometown library.

Once you've figured out who the actors are, fill out the "AKA" page in our Word magazine, and take it to your hometown library.  You will receive an entry into the drawing for your own personal falcon statue.  Exact dates for selecting a winner will be determined locally, so check with your hometown library.

Mary Astor: Born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke, this actress went on to appear in some 123 motion pictures during her career. This actress's film credits include Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), The Palm Beach Story (1942), and the March girls' mother in Little Women (1949),

Humphrey Bogart: This actor appeared in more than seventy films before his death in 1957. This actor starred in films including Casablanca (1942), The African Queen (1951), and as Whip McCord in The Oklahoma Kid (1939).

Do you feel inspired to solve your own hidden statue mystery? Then grab your fedora and trench coat and join our “Find the Sculpture” contest!

All of these sculptures are pieces of public art located in the three counties that are served by the Pioneer Library System.  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find these sculptures yourself.  Our handy Google map can give you some hints.

Once you’ve found all the sculptures, fill out the “Find the Sculpture” page in our Word magazine, and take it to your hometown library.  You will receive an entry into the drawing for your own personal falcon statue.  Exact dates for selecting a winner will be determined locally, so check with your hometown library. While Sam didn’t get to keep the falcon statue, your detective skills might be more successful.

On April 22, at the Big Read Finale Warren Theater Movie Event, one lucky library will be selected to receive an 18" bronze statue of a peregrine falcon perched on a stack of three books cast at the Crucible.

We are challenging all teens in grades 6-12 to create an original book trailer for one of the books in the Pioneer Library System collection.  This includes physical books in the library or audiobooks and ebooks on Overdrive. Just like a movie trailer is meant to encourage people to see a movie, a book trailer is meant to get people to read a book.

You can choose to make the book trailer normally or get in the spirit of The Maltese Falcon and make it in the film noir style like the popular 1941 film version of The Maltese Falcon. This style of film making is characterized by its black and white colors as well as somewhat melodramatic characters, which works well for hard-boiled detective stories.

How to enter the contest

• All video entries must be an original work made by the teen(s) submitting the entry.
• There is no fee for submitting the entry.
• Teens may send in one entry per book.
• Entries can be submitted to one of the two categories: Overall Category or Big Read Category
• Submit your video through this online form to Pioneer Library System by midnight on March 22, 2010.

The Pioneer Library System will organize a panel of judges to review the videos.  The panel will select a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in the Overall category and a 1st place winner in the Big Read category.  All decisions made by the review panel are final.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners – One mp3 player will be awarded to each winning entry. The videos selected as winners will appear on the Pioneer Library System’s YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/normanlibrary. (If a parent does not want his/her teen on YouTube, this does NOT disqualify a winning entry.)

If you have questions about the contest, please contact the Pioneer Library System at 405-701-2693 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click "read more" to see the fine print and get tips on making a winning video.