Resources
All information about the 2025-2026 Go Big Read, James, can be found on the 2025-2026 Go Big Read archive page. Please visit this page to learn about the book, events, book discussion guide, and other resources.
Read more about the 2026-2027 Go Big Read selection, Custodians of Wonder, below.
We will share the 2026-2027 Go Big Read discussion guide and other resources for teaching and engaging with Custodians of Wonder in summer 2026.
About the Book
Media and Press Releases
Read Chancellor Mnookin’s press release about the book: ‘Custodians of Wonder’ is 2026-27 Go Big Read choice – UW–Madison News
Custodians of Wonder by Eliot Stein (San Francisco Chronicle)
‘Custodians of Wonder’ Review: The Great Chain of Humanity (Wall Street Journal)
Media and Articles Related to Specific Chapters
‘Custodians of Wonder’ Excerpt: Finding the Sosso-Balla in West Africa (Rolling Stone)
The last Inca bridge master (BBC)
Is Japan losing its umami? (BBC)
A 750 year-old Japanese secret (BBC)
The secret behind Italy’s rarest pasta (BBC)
The perfect pasta dish Sardinians refuse to share (BBC)
Facilitating Book Discussions
Coming July 2026.
Curriculum Support Materials
Coming July and August 2026.
Marketing Toolkit
Go Big Read Marketing Toolkit – Reusable images for the program
Still have a question or need additional materials or resources? Feel free to reach out to the Go Big Read program at gobigread@library.wisc.edu.