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Everybody Reads 2012

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky book cover

A community reading project of Multnomah County Library

What if everybody read the same book?

We'd talk to each other about issues that matter and we'd celebrate the power of books in creating a stronger community.

Join us!

The tenth annual Everybody Reads selection is The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow.

This debut novel tells the story of Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I. who becomes the sole survivor of a family tragedy. With her strict African American grandmother as her new guardian, Rachel moves to a mostly black community in Portland, where her light brown skin, blue eyes and beauty bring mixed attention her way. Growing up in the 1980s, she learns to swallow her overwhelming grief and confronts her identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white.

Get involved!

Read

Check out or download the book or audiobook. Or, borrow one of the extra copies available at all Multnomah County libraries, Oregon Public Broadcasting, or Portland State University Library beginning in January (while supplies last). These special copies may be passed on to others without accruing late charges, so encourage your friends, coworkers and neighbors to participate.

Discuss

Share your thoughts at a book discussion at your neighborhood library or local bookstore. Continue the conversation with OPB's Public Insight Network. Add your comments on the blog by PSU Honors students.

Be inspired

Hear from author Heidi Durrow on Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Learn

Attend related programs and view the lists of additional books, films and resources.

Listen

Visit Everybody Reads Selections to find the list of Everybody Reads titles from previous years.

Everybody Reads, a community reading project of Multnomah County Library, is made possible in part by The Library Foundation with author appearance made possible by Literary Arts.

Multnomah County Library, The Library Foundation and Literary Arts logos

Portland State University and Oregon Public Broadcasting logos

Regional Arts & Culture Council