I totally loved "The Color of Water." After I read the book, I found an interview with McBride in which he says something like how curious it is that the people who like his book the most are middle-aged white Jewish women. (How embarrassing - he found me out!) Anyway, I have a review posted, if you're interested, here.

I have to say that the whole idea of urging everyone to read a book that is designed to divide people is not at all a god idea -- perhaps 50 years ago it might have had a place.

From what I have of the list, or read about them, the only one I could see recommending for anyone to read is the Ben Carson book.

Of the 40 or so books I have read this year, half of them I have to admit for the Baltimore Science Fiction Society's first novel award, the only general book I could really urger on people is Charles Murray's Real Education.

I certainly know a lot of people who loved them, but I found _Bees_ and _Kite Runner_ sentimental and can't really see either one anchoring a conversation on multiculturalism. I liked _Namesake_ & _Digging_ and think either a good choice, though I'm not sure the Tyler book would be equally appreciated by all ages. The McBride book would be an excellent choice. Haven't read the others.

Too late for this year, I guess, but the committee should consider _After_ by Marita Golden: set in Maryland & DC, it is guaranteed to start a lot of interesting conversations.

What a disappointing list.
I don't understand why the "One Book" has to be something contemporary, but also old enough to be something that many people have probably already read, like the above list.

I also don't at all understand Mark Owings comment. What book is "designed to divide people"?

Also, I just have to say, I HATED Hope in the Unseen. I can't believe that was last year's book.

I read The Color of Water many years ago and even had my book group read it. I thought it was very good and addressed the multiracial aspects of growing up in the USA. I think HS kids would respond to it and would encourage you to advance it to the committee. It would augment the historical political changes happening in 2009.

The Secret Life of Bees is one of my all time favorites (being a motherless daughter) but with the recent movie I don't thinks kids will respond as well to something they have seen on a big screen.

Gifted Hands is a good choice because of Carson's Baltimore connection and the value his mom placed on education. But it has been out long enough that it has probably already been assigned in schools.

The Kite Runner does a good job describing what it is like to come to the US as a refugee but has such graphic depictions (I know, video games have worse stuff) that it is hard to read. And I know it has been assigned in some HS's.

The Namesake is another one that I really liked and got my book club to read. It truly showed the struggle 1st generation children have: honoring the culture of their parents but living in their new place and seeing themselves as Americans.

Digging to America, by Baltimore's own Ann Tyler was not well received by my book club. It has the multicultural aspects required by the committee but just doesn't seem (to me) to have the discussion potential of the other works.

I haven't read the other choices (yet!).

Can't wait to hear which one gets picked.

An amazing book selection would be "Three Cups of Tea",an inspiring true story about one man's efforts to build schools for girls in Pakistan & Afghanistan. It has inspired thousands of school children around the country to raise money for these schools through the Pennies for Peace" program.
I recently attended a benefit concert at North Harford High School. The students--along with another school-- raised $20,000 to build a school..
Greg Mortenson is the man who started this program & the non-profit organization is The Central Asia Institute which has a website as does "Pennies for Peace". Mr. Mortensen has been on "60 Minutes" and has been invited to speak at The Pentagon.
Since so many children are involved, a youth version as well as a children's version of the book will be available in January 2009.

I enjoy reading your column especially today's concerning the Md Humanities Council. As a matter of fact, I featured Anne Tyler's book on my website and gave away copies of Digging to America donated from the publisher. I would highly recommend it as the pick for Md.

Here is my review which posted back in 2007 on www.freshfiction.com.
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=18765

It seems to me that the Maryland Arts Council attempts to choose books that will draw African-American readers. First there was A Hope Unseen. From the 2009 list, we have: Song Yet Unsung; The Color of Water; Gifted Hands; Brother, I'm Dying; Secret Life of Bees; The Reappearance of Sam Webber; and Dreams of My Father. Each is either written by blacks or contain a black protagonist. Also included are The Namesake, The Kite Runner and Digging to America. Of these, I've read The Color of Water, Gifted Hands, The Namesake, Kite Runner, Digging to America, and The Secret Life of Bees (a truly lightweight, feel good, beach novel).

Lest you think that I am a racist because I question the MAC's nominees, let me say that I am an ESL teacher. Each day I travel the world without leaving my zip code and it is my honor to learn from students who are able to see the universality in writing in ways that I think most Americans cannot. My students have read Snow Falling on Cedars, Night, Romeo and Juliet, The House on Mango Street, Red Scarf Girl, Because of Winn Dixie, Julius Caesar,excerpts from Chekhov, Hemingway, myths and fables. What I find amazing, reassuring and affirming is that these students can see beyond race and place to find what the characters tell us about humanity. They are able to see that they are not Japanese, but that people in their own countries have experienced the same thing --- or worse -- as the family in Snow Falling on Cedars. That families struggle and may or may not overcome hardship.

We have become Balkanized as a nation. Selecting books where the differences are so, pardon me, black and white, challenges no one. The real challenge is to find all of us in a story where we think we will not find ourselves. I have had enlightening, invigorating discussions about Madam Bovary and War and Peace with people from around the world. In fact, think of Reading Lolita in Teheran. What could a group of Iranian woman have to say about Nabokov? What could they find of their own experience in western novels?

I'd like to mention that it is this same sort of find-something-to-appeal-to-each-individual-group thinking that has cause me to give up my Center Stage subscription. Each year there is the Noel Coward and Shakespeare play for the traditionalists (yes, read white), the selection for the Jewish subscribers, the play for the African-American community, and the new cutting-edge production for youth. Ho, hum.

I hope that the MAC will think and dream a little more broadly in 2010. It is absolutely possible to talk about race, identify, civil rights, multicultural experiences in a novel where there is nothing black and white.

"Dreams from My Father" would be a terrific book for everyone to read. It is by and about our next president. It takes an unflinching and feeling look at poverty and race. It reveals that our next president's heart and brain are both big. It makes one proud that our nation elected Obama president. The only drawback is that some percentage of Marylanders, thankfully a small one, despises Obama and might spit after reading each sentence. But even they could learn something from the book. It's rare that a public figure can write so well and from the heart. He wants to bring us together. His book can help.

Can we join in here in Devon UK! My daughter is reading Dreams From My Father right now and raving about it, we have all caught Obama fever and can't tell you how much hope and optimism your presidential selection is giving us here.

I, too, would not recommend 'Secret" or "Digging" as I do not think the appeal is there for the HS level. Based on its literary excellence, I would recommend the "Namesake." Lahiri's writing is very concise and non-judgemental. The reader is able to observe the challenges faced by those trying to balance how to hold on to their own unique culture as well as assimilate into the 'American' way of life.