What is East Lansing's One Book, One Community? The annual One Book, One Community program, co-sponsored by the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, encourages the city-university community to read the same book and come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. The book is also an assigned reading for all incoming Michigan State University freshmen. Pick up a copy of this year's book and turn the pages with the community.
“The Yellow Birds” Announced as the 2013 One Book, One Community Selection The City of East Lansing and Michigan State University announce “The Yellow Birds” as the 2013 One Book, One Community book selection. Written by debut novelist and Iraq War veteran Kevin Powers, “The Yellow Birds” has received critical acclaim and was a 2012 National Book Award finalist.
The title of the book is derived from a traditional U.S. Army marching cadence or call-and-response marching song sung by military personnel when preparing for combat. In exquisite prose, Powers’ story is told through the eyes of 21-year-old Pvt. John Bartle, whose platoon is fighting a bloody battle to control the Iraq city of Al Tafar.
Meet Author Kevin Powers Community members can meet the Kevin Powers as he kicks off the month-long OBOC program on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. with a community talk and book signing at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center Performing Arts Theatre. On Monday, Aug. 26 he will also address the incoming MSU freshman class at the Academic Welcome in the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Both events are FREE to the community.
Community Events A series of community and campus events are planned around the themes of the selected book each year. Take a look at the community and campus events that took place in 2012 as part of “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” programming.
Thank You to Our 2012 Sponsors and Partners OBOC would like to thank our partners and sponsors who have supported the 2012 program: City of East Lansing, Michigan State University, East Lansing Public Library, Friends of the East Lansing Public Library, MSU Federal Credit Union, East Lansing Educational Foundation, Michigan Humanities Council, Sam Singh and Coldwell Banker.
Contact Us If you have any questions about this year's program or would like to share ideas about future book selections, please email OBOC Coordinator Aleece Hodges @ onebook@msu.edu.
© 2010 City of East Lansing & MSU