2012
One Book, One Community
selection is:

For Cause & Comrades--
Why Men fought in the Civil War

About One Book, One Community

In 2002 Winchester School Superintendent Dennis Kellison and Handley Regional Library Director Trish Ridgeway called together a group of organizations to bring the concept of One Book, One City to our area.  Since the program was to include Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County, the name One Book, One Community was chosen.  The group set these goals for the organization:

• To promote reading as a fun and meaningful part of everyday life.

• To unite the community around a common activity and a discussion of important issues.

• To build bridges of understanding among people of diverse ages, social, economic, and racial backgrounds.

• To bring together business and education-related interests to serve a common goal.

The first book selected was Homer Hickam's Rocket Boys.  After many events throughout the community, Mr. Hickam came to Winchester April 11-12, 2003 and spoke to over 600 attendees at Handley High School auditorium.  The second book was Seabiscuit by Laura Hillebrand.  The book in 2005 was the curious incident of the dog in the night time by Mark Haddon.  The 2006 selection was Wish You Well by David Baldacci.  The 2007 selection was On Agate Hill by Lee Smith. The 2008 selection was This I Believe, edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman.  The 2009 selection, See You In a Hundred Years by Logan Ward was the top-circulating non-fiction book at Handley Regional Library. To Kill a Mockingbird in 2010 and The Devil Amongst the Lawyers in 2011 complete the One Book list.

In 2004 the One Book, One Community coordinating group approved an affiliation with the community-wide committee that is working to promote the Summer Reading Program for children.  The Summer Reading Program has books at four difference age groups in One Summer, Four Books.