The One Book Project
Piedmont Virginia Community College is hosting a variety of events inspired by Liz Murray’s memoir Breaking Night.
If you have missed the buzz surrounding Murray’s book, then here is a quick run-down: Breaking Night is the true story of a young woman from a broken home. Throughout the story, Murray describes her experiences with her drug addicted parents and mentally ill mother. The story culminates in Murray becoming a homeless teenager who eventually gains acceptance to Harvard University.
The One Book Project is providing free copies of Breaking Night to students, faculty, and staff at PVCC. Copies are available from the library. Faculty and staff will be leading discussion sections about the book throughout October to go along with other events.
As the One Book website states, “The One Book Project at Piedmont Virginia Community College is an institution-wide initiative whose goal is to bring together students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to read the same book and take part in activities inspired by the text. The project seeks to create a learning community that will come together around the book to explore themes and values found in it, and as a result, it is hoped that One Book activities will increase engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue among the participants.”
PVCC also is hosting the One Book Essay contest that relates to the memoir. To enter, students must write a 750 word essay describing obstacles they have overcome in order to obtain an education. Entries are due by five o’clock on November 7. First place receives a Kindle Fire; second place a $100 Amazon gift card; third place a $50 Amazon gift card; and three honorable mentions will receive $25 gift cards. More information is available online or at the PVCC Library.
From October 13-17, PVCC will also be hosting a Service Week. During that period students and faculty are encouraged to volunteer at local homeless shelters, or volunteer themselves in any other way to benefit the community.
For more details on future events, contact Librarian Laura Skinner at lskinner@pvcc.edu or visit the One Book website.
