From selection committee member Mary Marca (who will not be able to make the meeting):
My first choice is The Hunger Games. I think this book with its young heroes will definitely engage the freshmen, and with a professor’s guidance they can engage in productive discussions that will help them grow intellectually. It can be used in a variety of courses, except perhaps math and music. The book deals with many current issues, especially the reality game aspect. But it also has many traditional themes such as politics, family, clan loyalty, hard moral choices, etc. This was my second choice last year so I would be quite happy if it wins this year!
My second choice is Tattoos on the Heart. Boyle has an engaging way of making the students and their struggles front and center of the book. This aspect I think would engage the freshmen. Some of them would find this all familiar and some would be shown a window on a world that they do not usually see. This could be used in many ways for discussion. I’m a little concerned about the emphasis on religion in the book, but could deal with that if it wins.
My third choice would be The Glass Castle. I love the writing and the many, many issues it raises: poverty, homelessness, education, independence, family loyalty and responsibility, etc. I’m not sure about frosh being engaged with the narrator (hero), ie. not young like them.
Fourth is Just Like Us. I’m only halfway through this so perhaps I should not say much. I do like that the four girls are just like so many of our students. The book seemed to veer into a defense of the author’s political choices rather than just stay on the narrative, but that might make more sense when I have finished the book.
Zeitoun is ok, but I found myself irritated with the woman so didn’t like it as much, although it did raise a lot of issues. I was hoping it would engage me more as it has the Muslim aspect that is very current.
