 The Daniel Boone Regional Library's One Read Task Force has announced "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich as this year's book selection. An interesting twist to this year's program is that Stephens College and the University of Missouri-Columbia independently chose this book for their freshman classes to read.
 One Read, coordinated by the Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) and now in its third year, is a community-wide reading program sponsored by a task force of local media and community agencies. Modeled after Chicago’s successful “One Book, One Chicago” project, One Read involves cities, counties, media, schools and businesses in encouraging adults of all ages to read one book and participate in thought-provoking discussion and activities. The One Read Task Force, including Stephens College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, are currently planning programs for September. The Task Force, in partnership with Stephens College and MU, chose the June 1 announcement date to coincide with the June announcements to the incoming freshman classes.
"We were surprised and thrilled to learn that both Stephens College and MU chose to read the same book," said DBRL Director Melissa Carr. "We're excited about the additional discussion and programming opportunities this will provide our community. I think the fact that we all chose the same title shows that this book is thought-provoking and will have a wide appeal for our community."
At Stephens College, the text will be used in a new year-long English course, which will be offered as part of the College's new general education program beginning in Fall 2004. The same book will also be used for MU's first-ever freshman summer reading program, designed to enhance the classroom learning experience of undergraduates.
Prior to the June 28 registration at Stephens, students will receive informational packets in the mail about the book, which explores the intersections of gender, race and class. “As faculty at a women’s college, we find that considering gender issues occurs naturally in our classrooms but confronting the intersections of gender, race and class is not as easily accomplished,” said Judith Clark, chair of the English and Creative Writing faculty, upon the book’s selection. The book will encourage classroom discussions on these important topics.
MU
students browse copies of "Nickel
and Dimed"
during Summer Welcome.
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MU will begin announcing "Nickel and Dimed" to its incoming freshman at its summer welcome program that begins June 8. "This program will give faculty and staff an opportunity to address many different issues throughout the year that relate to their classes," said Cathy Scroggs, vice chancellor of Student Affairs. "We'll encourage online discussions among our students this summer, which will build relationships between new and returning students."
The other books considered for One Read included "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time," by Mark Haddon and "Life of Pi," by Yann Martel. "Nickel and Dimed" received 57% of the 355 votes from the public. Other communities reading Ehrenreich's book include Vigo County, Indiana; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Rochester, Minnesota; Watanga County, North Carolina; and Cambria County, Pensylvania.
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