Fairfield’s 2024 One Book, One Town News!
Who doesn’t love a thriller? Add a timely, thought-provoking storyline with characters that range from grade school to septuagenarian and you’ve got the makings of a stellar selection for Fairfield’s beloved One Book, One Town program. The title that fits this bill is…Warrior Girl, Unearthed by Angeline Boulley.
Although the book's announcement was made on January 11, the process began months before with a committee comprised of library staff and outside volunteers. Dozens of titles were read and discussed, with the goal of finding a story that’s both relevant and compelling to an entire town of readers. “We try to find a book that stirs up conversation,” says OBOT co-chair Jennifer Laseman, Head of Teen Services for Fairfield Public Library. “It’s also important to the selection committee to choose a title that covers an area we haven’t explored before.” Warrior Girl, Unearthed checks all the boxes. Boulley’s second novel takes place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and focuses on the Anishinaabe, a local community of indigenous people from the Great Lakes region, that includes the Chippewa (aka Ojibwe) tribe. The author, a member of the Saulte Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians herself, centers the story around Perry Firekeeper-Birch, a feisty 17-year-old Anishinaabe, while the town searches for a missing Chippewa girl. Perry is a likeable character who displays all the sass and quest for independence of a typical American teenager, while at the same time, showing clear respect for her heritage and her culture’s practices. Boulley does a terrific job balancing the protagonist’s inner conflicts with the external circumstances.
Phillip Bahr, OBOT Co-Chair and Head of Adult Services for the Fairfield Public Library, shares that this year’s programming surrounding the book will be slightly different. “In the past, we’ve invited the author to speak at the end of March, following a series of lectures and events related to the book. This year, we’re hosting Angeline Boulley on March 5 (reserve your spot starting on Feb. 1!) so that readers will have the author’s insights before the additional programs.” This will make the two events that follow even more meaningful.
Warrior Girl, Unearthed is geared towards adults and older teens, so the OBOT committee has joined forces with the Fairfield Museum and History Center to present a moderated panel discussion on Saturday, March 9, 2:30 — 4pm at the Fairfield Public Library’s Rotary Room, featuring tribal citizens from the five Indigenous Indian Tribes recognized by statute in Connecticut.
For the younger set, two companion books have been selected to complement Warrior Girl, Unearthed. Berry Song, a picture book by Caldecott Medal winner Michaela Goade, is geared towards younger children. For elementary and middle-grade students, We Still Belong by Christine Day was picked to address very real, age-appropriate experiences and concerns. Both titles were chosen by Tamara Lyhne, Head of Children's Services in conjunction with the Fairfield Public Schools’ Media Specialists. A special storytelling event about the history of Connecticut -- Quinnetukut: Stories of Survival -- will be led by Darlene Kascak of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. The event takes place on Saturday, March 9, 1 -- 1:45pm, at the Fairfield Public Library’s Memorial Room.
Warrior Girl, Unearthed is a fascinating and poignant novel that will leave readers with probing discussion topics and a certain desire to know more about indigenous people in Connecticut and across the United States. The phenomenal One Book, One Town program is made possible by The Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, along with generous local sponsors. Fairfield readers are lucky to live in a town that deeply values literature and community!
To register for any of the OBOT events, visit: www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org
