Over 250 readers, young and old, gathered at Linebaugh Library Friday night to celebrate Read To Succeed’s 2012 One Book reading choice “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. The event, “An Evening Under the Stars” featured activities to raise funds for Clinton’s Club and Live 4 Tay, two organizations that support families of children with cancer.
“The Fault in Our Stars” is the story of two teenagers diagnosed with terminal cancer, Hazel Grace Lancaster and August Waters, their relationship, and the choices they make to embrace life despite their diagnoses.
“We wanted to celebrate what ‘Fault’ is really all about,” says One Book co-chair, Laura Beth Payne.“ ‘Fault’ affirms the importance of relationships and the impact our lives have on one another, and we wanted to recognize the difference that Clinton’s Club and Live 4 Tay are making in the lives of families of children with cancer.”
“An Evening Under the Stars” signaled the year-end wrap up for the book’s promotion, and featured live music performed by the Riverdale High School Jazz Orchestra as well as a book swap, photo booth, trivia contest, art project, and a manicure table for Colors for Hope, a nail polish line created by the wish of Riverdale High School student Tay Filorimo, in whose honor the Live 4 Tay organization was established.
The event also recognized the winners of the inaugural YRead Essay Contest for high school students, coordinated by One Book. High school students were asked to answer the question, “Why should someone read ‘The Fault in Our Stars’?” Central High School freshman McKynzie Perry won 1st place, followed in 2nd place by Siegel High School junior Claire Cahoon. Both students read their essays at the party, as did Siegel Middle School student Brandon Hoyt, an 8th grader who contributed an essay out of interest in the book.
“The One Book Committee had some large shoes to fill after last year’s choice, ‘The Hunger Games,’” says Michelle Palmer, One Book co-chair. “Friday night’s event proved what we hoped: John Green’s novel resonated within the community. As evidenced by our competitive trivia contest, some party attendees even had entire passages memorized. I’d call that a success.”
The event was sponsored by the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation, Murfreesboro Medical Clinic, and Olive Branch Church. Ingram Content Group was the sponsor of this year’s book crossing, which provided free copies of ‘Fault’ in the community.
In June the One Book committee will release a summer reading list while working on next year’s chosen book title. The next One Book choice will be announced this fall.
To learn more about Read To Succeed and One Book, follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/OneBookRutherford or visit ReadToSucceed.org.
Photo: 2012-2013 One Book Committee
L-R (Back): Angela Jackson, Lisa Mitchell, Karen Hale Clark, Shawna Jackson, Butler Touchton, Sandee Suitt, Ricardo Jones
L-R (Front): Carol Ghattas, Laura Beth Payne, Sarah Porterfield, Kory Wells, Michelle Palmer, Jennifer Matikke, Michelle Willard
