Each fall, readers across the state of Maryland join together to read the same book as a part of the One Maryland, One Book program.  It’s thrilling to know that thousands of readers – through libraries, book stores, and book clubs statewide – are enjoying and discussing the same great read.

This year’s fantastic selection is Outcasts United by Warren St. John, the moving true story of a soccer team for refugee boys, their remarkable female coach, and a small southern town turned upside down by the process of refugee resettlement.  These refugees come from the most harsh, war-torn areas of the world – Sudan, Iraq, Kosovo and others.  And despite many cultural and linguistic barriers, one determined coach unites the boys through their love of soccer.

This book is well-written, thought-provoking and very moving.  The heartwarming, and also heartbreaking, tales of the refugees were so powerful that I had to share them with family and friends.  Most books don’t inspire me to change, but this one had me contemplating how I can be more neighborly, more community-oriented, and more embracing of others in our ever-global world.

As a part of the One Maryland, One Book program, Cecil County Public Library will be hosting book discussions of Outcasts United at many branches.  Stop by your local branch to sign up and pick up a copy of this great read.  Click the links below to see more information.

Rising Sun Branch Library – Wednesday, September 8 at 7 pm
Perryville Branch Library – Thursday, September 23 at 7 pm
Chesapeake City Branch Library – Monday, October 4 at 1 pm
North East Branch Library – Monday, October 18 at 7 pm
Cecilton Branch Library – Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 pm
Elkton Central Library – Tuesday, November 2 at 7 pm

There’s even a One Maryland, One Book selection for teens.  Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is the tragic yet inspirational tale of a young man who comes to the U.S. after losing his home and family.  Click the links for more details.

Rising Sun Branch Library – Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 pm
Elkton Central Library – Tuesday, October 19 at 3:30 pm
Chesapeake City Branch Library – Thursday, October 28 at 3:30 pm

I hope you’ll all join us in reading and discussing.  In the meantime, leave a comment.  What books have inspired you to make a difference?

This June, CCPL invited its patrons on a literary cruise around the world.  No area was too remote, no port of call too exotic.  Our patrons cruised along to places like the South Carolina Low Country, the Mexican Peninsula, the World’s Fair and even to Imperial Japan.

And the mercury rising outside wasn’t the only thing hitting an all-time high this summer.  From June 1st to July 31st, over 1,300 adults in Cecil County cruised to thousands of literary destinations aboard the U.S.S. Summer Reading by participating in the 2010 Adult Summer Reading Program.  That’s a 130% increase in participation from our 2009 sign-ups!  In total, our patrons read 6,575 books in just 2 months!  That’s an average of 821 books a week.

And for all your “hard” work vacationing to these literary lands, you were amply rewarded.  Congratulations to Nancy, Derek, Morgan and Cindy, our Grand Prize winners!  Just for reading, they took home Hershey Park tickets, a summertime survival kit, a gardener’s toolkit, and a Visa gift card.  Although the summer may be ending and the cruise ship is docked, you can embark on a cruise of your own any time of the year.  Just let your library card be your passport!

Did you escape to any great literary destinations this summer?  Tell us where you went!