Book for 9th annual United We Read focuses on Columbine shootings

Discussions for Cape Girardeau's ninth annual United We Read will center on the book "Columbine" by Dave Cullen.

This year's series will kick off today with a discussion led by Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

In the book, Cullen, a journalist, recounts 10 years of research and writing regarding the 1999 school shooting in Colorado.

"We picked the book because they felt this was very important information to discuss," said Julia Jorgensen, librarian at Central High School and coordinator of the event. "The school culture has changed dramatically after Columbine. There is much we can learn from the book."

The community is invited to attend discussions regardless of whether they read the book, Jorgensen said.

United We Read discussions:

* Today: 7 p.m. at Central High School library, led by Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney and author Morley Swingle.

* Thursday: 2:45 p.m. at Central High School library, led by principal Dr. Mike Cowan.

* Feb. 9: 9:15 a.m. at Central High School library, led by psychology teacher Joe Bradshaw.

* Feb. 17: at 2:45 p.m. at Central High School, led by guidance counselors Amy Sutterer and Katy Andersson.

* Feb. 18: at 9:15 a.m. at Central High School, led by students Hillary Caldwell and Tori Twidwell.

* Feb. 22: at 7 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, led by students Hillary Caldwell, Claire Sharp and Steven Meyer.

* Feb. 23: at 3 p.m. at Central High School library, led by journalism teachers Pat Kuper and Patti Whittington.

* Feb. 25: at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, led by Jackson High School librarian Mary Pensel.

Pertinent address:

1000 S. Silver Springs Road Cape Girardeau, MO