Editorial

United We Read

Once again, participants in Cape Girardeau's United We Read project will find ample opportunities to discuss serious and sometimes troubling issues with this year's book selection, "Tallgrass" by Sandra Dallas. The book provides a view of a Japanese internment camp during World War II through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl.

United We Read is a communitywide reading project that brings readers together to discuss a featured book. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to visit with and hear the author on Feb. 6 and 7 at special events being arranged by Julia Jorgensen, librarian at Central High School and organizer of the annual reading event.

Another author, David Fiedler who wrote "The Enemy Among Us: POWs in Missouri During World War II," also has been invited to speak as part of this year's United We Read project.

POW camps in several Midwestern states housed prisoners of war captured by American forces.

While such camps weren't secrets -- at least in nearby communities -- they are an almost forgotten part of America's wartime history.

Jorgensen is to be commended for her efforts on behalf of United We Read. The community has been well-served by book selections in previous years, and "Tallgrass" is sure to set the stage for stimulating discussions.

Comments