A couple of months ago I
posted the news that Sherman Alexie's
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was on the short list for 2011's One Maryland, One Book.
Now I don't know when it was officially announced... but I just discovered that JUNIOR WON! That's right, Book Lovers!
The Absolutely True Diary is officially the One Maryland, One Book pick for 2011!
I'm SO EXCITED!!!!"So what does this mean?" you ask. Well, this means that copies of Sherman Alexie's brilliantly hilarious, eye-opening, heart-wrenching novel will be delivered by the box load to schools and libraries all across the state of Maryland. Book clubs, high school and college English classes, and independent Book Lovers will read the novel, and then be able to participate in discussion groups all around the state. Mr. Sherman Alexie will be appearing in libraries, and schools, and community centers to discuss his work. In short, Junior will be getting more of the attention that he so rightfully deserves.
The
2010 OMOB pick was
Outcasts United by Warren St. John. It was a phenomenal piece of nonfiction, and since reading it, I honestly can't tell you how many conversations I've had with all different people about the book. I can't wait for the same thing to happen with
The Absolutely True Diary.
2011 is going to be a great year for reading in Maryland!
In honor of this momentous occasion, I have to post my favorite quote from the book just one more time:
"I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That's right, I am a book kisser. Maybe it's kind of perverted, or maybe it's just romantic and highly intelligent."
For more glorious quotes and Sherman Alexie goodness, check out
my review.
If you have been hanging around Book Love for a while, you are probably aware of my undying love for
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
Imagine my absolute joy and delight when I learned this morning that Junior's story is on the
short list for 2011's
One Maryland, One Book.
Please let Sherman Alexie and Junior win!!!This situation calls for me to re-post one of my favorite
"Absolutely True..." quotes:
"I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That's right, I am a book kisser. Maybe that's kind of perverted or maybe it's just romantic and highly intelligent."
Outcasts United by Warren St. John, Spiegel and Grau, 2009, 320 pp, ISBN: 0385522037
If you are looking for an inspiring read, look no further.
Outcasts United is easily the best piece of nonfiction I've read this year.
As some of you may remember, I actually
started reading Outcasts United a month ago. I had planned to finish it in a weekend, but for some reason I just could not get into the story. After the first couple of chapters I left it to gather dust on the bottom shelf of our coffee table.
Thankfully, a few teachers at the high school where I work expressed an interest in using the book with their students. I agreed to create some discussion questions for the class and to arrange for a few relevant speakers to come in and talk with the kiddos. Of course, I also had to finish reading the book myself... After only reading a few more chapters, I was 100% hooked.
Outcasts United is a story of war, resilience, community, prejudice, friendship, and hope.
It is a story of families coming together, from around the world, in a desperate attempt to find peace.
It is a story of a small community, comfortable in their status quo, who was forced to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
It is a story about one woman on a mission.
It is a story about soccer.
It is a story you need to read.
Clarkston, Georgia had been described as a "sleepy little town by the railroad tracks." When it became an official refugee resettlement center in the 1990s, that sleepy little town exploded in a riot of culture, color, and language as it filled with refugees from war zones around the world. When Coach Luma moved there from Jordan in search of personal freedom, she ended up finding a group of refugee children who needed her just as much as she ultimately needed them. Through the support of the refugee families and her own personal determination, a soccer team was born.
I honestly cannot remember the last time that I read a story that touched me so deeply. In order to truly do justice to the individual stories of the refugee families, author
Warren St. John spent considerable time getting to know each family he wrote about - eating with them, visiting in their homes, and watching lots and lots of soccer. The portraits that he paints of each family's struggle to survive in their home country, and then again of their struggles in America, are alternately heart-breaking and hope-filled.
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1 Comments on Outcasts United, last added: 10/20/2010
Wow, that's really awesome!!
Now I really have to read this one. I love that quote you posted. ♥
Have a lovely week! :)
I love that part of the book. It is def a quote that is not easily forgotten about!
Please do stop by for some gossip, a crumpet to check out my newest giveaway :)
Mad Scientist
Steampunkery & Book Reviews
I read that book before I started blogging and loved it. What great news!
Cool news!
Thanks for sharing! I am going to listen to this audio book during spring break. Can't wait.
Great to hear! Loved that book!
Jen