This April, Big D Reads will unite the city of Dallas around reading and talking about one book, S.E. Hinton’s "The Outsiders." The kickoff will take place on Monday, March 31 with book giveaways at DART stations throughout the city, with the official media location at Union Station DART (400 S. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75201), 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., with high school step dancers and book giveaways. Throughout the month, Big D Reads will organize book discussions, a visit by author S.E. Hinton, a book art installation, a movie screening — all related to "The Outsiders." Big D Reads’ goal is to immerse Dallas in a shared reading experience, with a specific focus on increasing reading among ninth-grade Dallas ISD students.

According to Krista Nightengale, director of D Academy, the organizer of Big D Reads, “Our goal is simple. We want to make Dallas a city of readers. To that end, we’re giving a copy of 'The Outsiders' to every ninth grade DISD student, and we’re encouraging them to read and discuss the book. We’re also encouraging all Dallas citizens to read together, so we’re giving 20,000 copies of the book to students and the community.”

A complete list of events can be found at bigreaddallas.org/events, but here are some highlighted events:

Monday, March 31, 5 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Dart Kick-Off

Volunteers will ensure commuters have a great Monday by surprising them with a special-edition copy of "The Outsiders." Stations participating: West End, Mockingbird Station, Union Station, and Victory. Union Station: 5-8 a.m., West End and Mockingbird Station: 7-8 a.m., Victory: 4:30-5:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, April 1-8 at sundown

Light Show

The Omni Hotel, Reunion Tower and Bank of America will light up the night sky with a Big D Reads message. Grab a Stay Golden, Ponyboy cocktail and enjoy the show.

NYLO Dallas South Side’s Soda Bar, 1325 S. Lamar St.

April 1-8

Mike Stilkey Art Installation

Mike Stilkey, a Los Angeles-based artist, will transform thousands of books into a piece of art at South Side on Lamar. Sponsored by Matthews Southwest.

South Side on Lamar, 1325 S. Lamar St.

Tuesday, April 8 at 10 a.m.

Unveiling of Mike Stilkey’s Art Installation and announcement of the Librarian of the Year.

South Side on Lamar, 1325 S. Lamar St.

Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

DaVerse Lounge

Join more than 450 middle-schoolers as a group of KIPP students present readings from "The Outsiders." Free and open to the public.

Life in Deep Ellum, 2803 Taylor St.

Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

Movie Screening

The Outsiders, the movie, hosts some of the biggest names in Hollywood before they were known. Watch the young actors — Matt Damon, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio and C. Thomas Howell — bring the story to life downtown.

Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St.

Saturday, April 12, 12-2 p.m.

Dallas Institute Poem Discussion

The Dallas Institute for the Humanities will lead a conversation on Robert Frost’s poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay," featured in "The Outsiders."

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St.

Thursday, April 24, 7-9 p.m.

Arts and Letter Live

When she was just 16 years old, S.E. Hinton wrote "The Outsiders," based on her experiences in Tulsa, Okla. She’ll talk about this and other aspects of her writing career at the Dallas Museum of Art. Tickets are sold out, but people can register for Live Simulcast Tickets to watch from the C3 Theater — http://dma.ticketleap.com/se-hinton/

Saturday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.-Sundown

Big D Reads Festival at Klyde Warren Park

Enjoy a perfect day at the park — all for free — with a discussion with S.E. Hinton and "The Outsiders’"movie producer Gray Frederickson, a screening of the movie, and celebrations of all forms of storytelling.

Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.