United We Read brings community together

More than a year ago, when it was first suggested that everyone in Cape Girardeau should read the same book -- at the same time -- and participate in discussion groups about the book, it was hard to predict how the community would respond.

There was nothing but high hope for Julia Jorgensen, the person who has invested much of her considerable energy and precious time in organizing such a project. As head librarian at Central High School, Jorgensen has a good understanding of reading tastes in this area. And the book chosen for the first communitywide reading project -- called United We Read -- was outstanding. John Grisham's "A Painted House" was a story familiar to almost anyone who is a Southeast Missouri native. It also managed to capture the hearts and imaginations of just about anyone else who picked up a copy.

In all, approximately 800 Cape Girardeans read "A Painted House" and took part in 28 organized discussion groups last February. Not bad for an untested experiment in group reading.

Clearly, the foundation for United We Read was firmly established last year. Several weeks ago, Jorgensen and others instrumental in the project began searching for another book. Their first choice was "Once Upon a Town," an astoundingly fascinating work of non-fiction by Bob Greene, who was until a few months ago a respected columnist for the Chicago Tribune. However, a personal scandal led to his resignation as a newspaper columnist, and United We Read organizers justifiably felt the reading project didn't need the taint of an author's scandal.

In spite of this, "Once Upon a Town" is a remarkable enough book that it would be well worth reading, even if it's not a part of the project. The book gathers the true stories of North Platte, Neb., which was a stopping point for all east-west troop trains during World War II. Through an unbelievable volunteer effort, the residents of North Platte and the surrounding area met every train and fed every GI -- all 6 million of them -- who passed through the town by virtue of fighting a war. This book will warm your heart and fill you with American pride the likes of which has probably never been surpassed since the end of the war.

The pick for next February's reading and discussions is another outstanding choice: "All Over but the Shoutin'" by Rick Bragg, the roving national correspondent for The New York Times. Bragg's story tells of the sacrifices his mother made while he and his two brothers were growing up in the South. Many readers will see similarities between Bragg's book and last year's selection by Grisham. But there are plenty of differences too, and "All Over but the Shoutin'" will give everyone who participates something to think about and talk about when February rolls around.

United We Read is one of the best community projects to come along. If you don't already have your copy of the new book -- either from the library or your favorite bookstore -- join the fun.