Sponsors

Egan Maritime Foundation
Maria Mitchell Association
Nantucket Atheneum
Nantucket Boys & Girls Club
Nantucket Conservation Foundation
Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nantucket Council On Aging
Nantucket Historical Association
Nantucket Life Saving Museum
Nantucket Preservation Trust
Nantucket Public Schools
WNAN Public Broadcasting

Underwriters

Tupancy Harris Foundation
Friends of Nantucket Public Schools

Book Pick Up Locations

Free copies of the book are available at:

The Town Building
Nantucket Atheneum
Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nantucket Historical Association
Maria Mitchell Association
Salt Marsh Senior Center
Annye’s Whole Foods

2008 One Book One Island

•  The Old Man And The Sea   

• The Young Man And The Sea      •  Island Boy

What is One Book, One Island? One Book One Island

In 2005 representatives from several of Nantucket's nonprofits formulated a plan to create a reading program that the whole island can participate in. The group's goal was to bring Nantucketers together to cultivate the joy of reading a good book and to foster a sense of community. From those conversations came the One Book, One Island program.

Launched in 2007 with the books The Kite Runner, The Breadwinner and The Librarian of Basra, One Book, One Island gave out 1,500 books and hosted a month-long series of free events that year.

For 2008 a book selection committee has chosen these titles:

  • The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway (for adults and high school students)
  • The Young Man and The Sea by Rodman Philbrick (for middle school students)
  • Island Boy by Barbara Cooney (for children)

Beginning January 3 free copies of all books will be available at The Town Building, Nantucket Atheneum, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Historical Association, Maria Mitchell Association, Salt Marsh Senior Center and Annye’s Whole Foods.

On January 31 the 2008 One Book, One Island program begins with a lecture titled "Hemingway's Cuban Masterpeice" by Susan Beegel. Events continue through February 10 and include book discussions, in-school author talks, a film screening, a sea gam and a finale event with music and readings. See the Events page for more information.

One Book One IslandPlease tell us your opinion of One Book One Island.

One Book One Island organizers are looking for feedback on the reading project. Please complete an evaluation form (available here as a pdf) and return it to one of the sponsors listed at left.

Who Can I Contact For More Information?

If you would like more information or would like to become involved with One Book, One Island, Please contact one of the following people: Molly Anderson, Nantucket Atheneum at 508-228-1110; Jean Grimmer, Egan Maritime Foundation at 508-228-2505; or Jim Lentowski at the Nantucket Conservation Foundation at 508-228-2884.

One Book One Island Mission Statement

One Book One Island is a collaborative project of community partners and sponsors on Nantucket which seeks to promote reading, literacy and community by encouraging the entire population of Nantucket to read, discuss, and reflect on the same book. In addition, the project is designed to foster the importance of life-long learning for children and adults and to provide multiple opportunities for cultural enrichment in the community.

One Book One Island will be organized as a program for the Island’s 2008 winter season and is being spear-headed by several of the Island’s major nonprofit organizations. It has the additional purpose of increasing a sense of community in Nantucket’s growing year-round population. Thus the project’s related events will be designed to encourage long-time residents and recent newcomers of all ages to feel at ease in sharing personal experiences, diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.

The multi-week project will also provide participants with ways to celebrate the Island’s richness.  To achieve this objective, the book-related activities will include discussion groups, lectures, films, theatre, music, dance, art, and culinary events for children and adults throughout the community.