Book grant opens up student and community discussion on slavery and racism

Mountain View High School (MVHS), in partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL), has recently received a One Book/One Community grant from the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division, which is funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This nationwide program provides funds to provide one specific title, free of charge, to communities with the goal of bringing people together to foster discussion on a particular topic.

The book selection committee – comprised of MVHS parents, students, staff and the Cascade Park Community Librarian - chose Copper Sun, by Sharon Draper, as the book for the community to read and discuss. The book follows the story of a young girl, enslaved and taken to America and the horrors and eventual hope that await her. The grant provides over 500 copies of the book to be distributed to selected students within Evergreen Public Schools and FVRL patrons in early February.

“This is the type of event that makes a difference in communities,” said Carol Mackey, MVHS Teacher Librarian. “We feel so honored to have received this grant and are excited about the dialogue and discussion it will open up for everyone. An added benefit to this is that the author, Sharon Draper will spend the week of April 28 through May 2 speaking to students at MVHS and Cascade, Frontier, Wy’east, Covington and Pacific Middle Schools. It’s an amazing learning opportunity for our students to hear firsthand from an author, but especially one who is using her gifts to tell such a powerful story.”

The public is then invited to attend a special event on April 29, 2008, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Wy’east Middle School, 1112 SE 136th Ave., Vancouver, where the author will speak, answer questions and sign copies of the book. In preparation for the event, Fort Vancouver Library branches, as well as Barnes & Noble will host discussion groups on the following dates:

• March 18, 5:00 PM.: Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB) open to public,
  Firstenberg Center-Special Events room
• March 18, 7:00 PM: Community Discussion, Mountain View High School library 
• March 25, 10:30 AM: Community Discussion at Mallard Assisted Living Community, Battle Ground 
• March 25, 7:00 PM: Community Discussion at Barnes & Noble / Vancouver
• April 3, 7:00 PM: Community Discussion, Three Creeks Library, Salmon Creek

For further information about book discussions and distribution of free books, please contact Carol Mackey, Mountain View High School Librarian, at 604.6142.