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Book chosen for this year's One Book/Many Voices event

05/27/08

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie has
been selected as the featured book for Floyd County’s One Book/Many Voices
for 2008.

Sherman Alexie grew up on a Spokane Indian reservation in Washington to
become a bestselling novelist, poet, comic and screenwriter. He received
the 2007 National Book Award for "The Absolutely True Diary," his first
work for young adults.

He will give a public lecture and sign books on Sept. 18 at 7 pm at
Pepperell High School.

Now in its second year, One Book/Many Voices is designed to encourage
reading, spark discussion and bring the community together through the
reading of one great book. In 2007 close to 1,000 citizens read "I Know Why
the Caged Bird Sings" and nearly 4,000 people turned out to hear the
author, Maya Angelou, speak at The Forum.

According to Susan Cooley, director of the Sara Hightower Regional Library
system, “'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' is an especially
rich book for our community. The book examines the challenges of growing up
and fitting in, as well as problems of racism, poverty and substance abuse.
We think it will engage both adult and adolescent readers.”

Cooley, who chairs the One Book steering committee, added that she hopes
the book will encourage exploration and discussion of Floyd County’s Native
American heritage.

In addition to the lecture, organizers have planned a variety of other
events to encourage the community to read and talk about the book,
including a panel discussion entitled “One Book, Many Voices: A Town Hall
Meeting” also in September. The dialogue will be hosted by Georgia
Highlands professor Jon Hershey and Greg Shropshire, president of the 100
Black Men of Rome and Northwest Georgia.

There will be an all-day read of "The Absolutely True Diary of An American
Indian" on Sept. 14 at the Chieftains Museum and citizens are invited to
the Rome-Floyd County Library on Sept. 15 to view the award-winning movie
"Smoke Signals," written by Alexie. John Kwist of Shorter College will lead
a discussion of the movie and Alexie’s work immediately following.

The Rome News-Tribune will once again host a writing contest for high
school students in conjunction with One Book/Many Voices. Winners will
receive a signed copy of the book and have an opportunity to meet with
Alexie.

The One Book/Many Voices steering committee invites civic organizations,
schools and book clubs to plan opportunities for citizens to come together
and express ideas about the book and the issues it raises. Cooley says, “We
had a strong response to this invitation in 2007, and we anticipate equal
enthusiasm this year.” The Steering Committee for One Book/Many Voices
includes representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Berry College,
Chieftains Museum, Darlington School, Free Clinic of Rome, Georgia
Highlands College, Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pepperell
High School, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Rome-Floyd County Commission
on Children and Youth, the Rome News Tribune, Sarah Hightower Regional
Library, Shorter College, the Teen Plus Center, and 100 Black Men of Rome
and Northwest Georgia.

For more information, please visit the library's Web site.