The Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma book discussion series at Oklahoma City University will begin its next season at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 with “After the First Death” by Robert Cormier in Walker Center Room 151.
The discussion series is titled “Young Adult Crossover Fiction: Crumbling Borders between Adolescents and Adults” and is made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council. Adolescent readers are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Through a richly textured narrative structure, Cormier juxtaposes the haunting parallels between two relational pairs: 16-year-old preppie Ben and his patriotic father General Marchand, who masterminds a secret anti-terrorist army project; and the terrorist teenager Miro and his mentor Artkin, who masterminds a brotherhood of freedom fighters trying to regain their homeland. The complex disguises and betrayals of trust are dramatized amidst the suspense of a hijacked school bus full of small children and their teenage bus driver, Kate, and the relationship that develops between Kate and Miro adds additional complexity and tension to the story.
At each session in the five-part series, a humanities scholar makes a presentation on the book in the context of the theme. For this book, the speaker will be education professor Liz Willner. Small group discussions follow with experienced discussion leaders. At the end, all participants come together for a brief wrap-up.
Books from the series are free to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis by picking them up at OCU’s Dulaney-Browne Library room 211 or 207 between Dec. 7 and Dec. 21. Readers are also welcome to participate with their own copies of the titles in the series.
For more information call 405-208-5707 or email [email protected].
Other dates and books in the series include:
* Jan. 24, “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers, with presenting scholar Paul Lehman
* Feb. 7, “True Believer” by Virginia Ewer Wolff, with presenting scholar Harbour Winn
* Feb. 21, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie, with presenting scholar Russ Tallchief * March 7, “Annie John” by Jamaica Kincaid, with presenting scholar Karen Schiler
