2016-2017 One Book, One Town Community Read Digs into Family Lineage

From the Town of West Hartford:

WEST HARTFORD, CT – The 2016-2017 community read known as “One Book, One Town” has selected “Of Beetles and Angels” by Mawi Asgedom, a boy's remarkable journey from a refugee camp to Harvard University.

One Book, One Town initiative, now in its second year, is designed to bring the community together by reading a common book that will stimulate conversations around its core themes.

The focus of this year’s book is immigration which builds on the West Hartford Libraries’ “Memories in Migration” project that captured stories of immigrants who have settled in West Hartford. The project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant.

“Over the summer, Conard and Hall high school students interviewed residents from Chile, Columbia, Ghana, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Spain and Viet Nam and their stories were captured beautifully in a video tribute,” said Carol Waxman, Children's Services Librarian, West Hartford Libraries.

Of Beetles and Angels is an autobiography of a boy who, at the age of three, fled civil war in Ethiopia by walking with his mother and brother to a Sudanese refugee camp and later moved to Chicago and earned a scholarship to Harvard.

“Everyone has come from some other place at one time or another in their family’s ancestry,” said Renée McCue, public relations specialist, Town of West Hartford. “The theme of this year’s One Book, One Town asks the question, “What is your story?” she continued.

“Examining your family history through genealogy research or simply capturing a special memory by talking with your grandparents, is all a part of discovering your personal story,” said Jenna LaRiviere, Community Business Development Manager, Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

One Book, One Town initiative has been incorporated at all age levels in West Hartford Public Schools.

“This book was introduced to our ESOL adult learners who are studying to become new Americans,” said Roszena Haskins, Director of Continuing Education and Diversity Advancement, West Hartford Adult & Continuing Education. “I believe many of them can relate to the struggles Mawi faced as a refugee in Of Beetles and Angels,” she said.

“One Book, One Town ties in with the district’s commitment to fostering diversity awareness, inclusion and excellence at all grade levels,” said Kerry Jones, Director of Elementary Education, West Hartford Public Schools.

“At the high schools, Of Beetles and Angels will be a book offered at their book-tasting event and as a free book choice in their literacy arts classes,” Ms. Jones said. ““We have shared the book with all of our principals to read and pass along to community members, too,” she said.

“A companion title aimed at reaching the youngest of readers in the elementary schools has been selected so they too can be involved in thought-provoking conversations about immigration,” said Jeri Van Leer, Department Supervisor of Library Media, West Hartford Public Schools.

“Brothers of Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan” by Mary Williams, illustrated by Coretta Scott King, is based on true events of a young boy who unites with thousands of other orphaned boys and walks hundreds of miles to the safety of a refugee camp in another country, after war destroys their villages in southern Sudan.

Barnes & Noble at Blue Back Square will host a story time featuring a read-aloud of “Brothers of Hope,” on Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 AM. The event is free, no registration required.

“Both books are available for parents to borrow at the library of each elementary school as well as the Family Resource Center at the Charter Oak Academy,” said Ms. Van Leer.

Special programming will be offered to tie into the One Book, One Town theme. Elmwood Senior Center is offering a free, three-part genealogy workshop beginning October 27 through November 10.

“Participants will learn about records and places that provide clues to their ancestors, the easiest way to find those resources, and what to do once you've found them,” said Kathleen Faroni, Director, Elmwood Senior Center.

West Hartford Adult & Continuing Education, in collaboration with Solomon Schetcher Day School, will hold a storytelling event on Monday, January 18, 2017, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Of Beetles and Angels and Brothers in Hope are available at the three libraries and in book stores. See who is reading the book by visiting Instagram #1book1town. We invite you to add your photo too! To learn more, click here.

Image via the Town of West Hartford.