Oregon ReadsAbout Oregon Reads 2009
A statewide community reading project
What if 50,000 Oregonians read the same book in our sesquicentennial year?
The Oregon Library Association and the libraries of Washington County want to find out!
Oregon Reads 2009 is a community reads program. It will take place in nearly every public library and in every Oregon county in celebration of the state's 150th anniversary.
The Oregon Reads committee selected three books.
- Stubborn Twig, by Eugene author Lauren Kessler, is the true story of three generations of a Japanese-American family. Their generations span across the 20th century in Hood River, Portland and Eugene.
For younger readers,
- Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff and
- Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson were also selected.
These books are all available in WCCLS libraries in book and audiobook formats. Many WCCLS libraries will be giving away copies at Oregon Reads events. There is a printable Book Discussion Guide (PDF format) for Stubborn Twig and Bat 6.
All three titles have an uniquely Oregon focus. They convey an Oregon experience, within reach of readers throughout the state including those with varying reading levels. All three titles are written by Oregon authors who will visit Washington County libraries.
Starting in January 2009 and running into April, Washington County libraries will offer events and programs centering on the selected books.
We invite Oregonians to celebrate the 150th year of Oregon statehood by taking part in Oregon Reads 2009.