SEC:Book in Common

["Marguerite K. Ashford" <mashford@PUNAHOU.EDU>]

Friends--

Many thanks to all of you who suggested titles for our school's annual Book
in Common program (a book to be read by all students in 9-12, as well as
faculty and administrators and used as a basis for discussion/projects/etc.
beginning in the fall).

By far the most popular suggestion was Lois Lowry's fine book The Giver,
which we were unable to select due to extensive use made of the title by
our 6th and 7th grade English teachers.

We finally chose Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.  Runnerup was Alice
Hoffman's Second Nature, with the same author's At Risk also receiving
strong consideration.  It might be of interest to note that O'Brien's book
was the overwhelming recommendation of our student senate, the members of
which actively participate in the recommendation and selection process.

Finally, we are considering adding a companion program, the Video in
Common, next year.  While initially we considered selecting a title whose
theme(s) would tie in with that of the Book in Common, we now think we will
separate them.  Strong frontrunners at this point are Hoop Dreams and The
Joy Luck Club.  If any of you have suggestions, they would be most welcome.

Thanks for the support and collegiality of all of you out there.  You make
a difference.

===================
Marguerite K. Ashford
Cooke Library, Punahou School               mashford@punahou.edu
Honolulu, Hawaii   96822
Ph: (808) 944-5822