One Book One Community

Hutchinson, Minnesota is a town of about 16,000 located in Central Minnesota, where the Big Woods become prairie.  This year the town is participating in a One Book, One Community event which centers around the book Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  I have not read the book but it has gotten great reviews from a broad spectrum of readers.  Kline's story intertwines the lives of two orphans in different eras.  One is a modern teenager who is cleaning out the attic of an old woman as part of her communitiy service.  The other story follows an immigrant from Ireland who was part of social experiment in which New York City's orphans were sent by train to the Midwest to be adopted.  There is a book club gathering and a presentation at the local museum as part of the program

The first step to getting involved was to register as a participant.  This can be done at the Heart of Hutch website.  Next each participant needs to read the book sometime between January and April.  There are print and audio copies available at the local library but there is a waiting list.  I downloaded mine on the Kindle for only $1.99.

The first social event for the book is on January 26 where the McLeod County Historical Society will present a PBS documentary on the Orphan Train.


I am excited to start reading and the learn about thsi part of history and how the area that I live in was involved.

http://www.hutchinsonleader.com/news/extra/one-book-one-community/article_302c470d-6fb1-57ef-87ac-a95e5c5cf91a.html

 http://heartofhutch.com/

 http://www.mcleodhistory.org/