The Huntington Beach Reads One Book project was founded in 2007 with a simple, but ambitious goal in mind: Bring the community together through literature by giving students and adults one book title they can all read at the same time. Initiated by the Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force as an outreach effort, the program also aims to introduce diversity and new perspectives in a way that is appealing to all age groups. Accompanying each book is a flurry of events that give depth to the featured book, from author appearances and signings to film screenings.
HB Reads’ 2010 featured book They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan, is a compelling memoir of three kindergarten-age boys’ journey from their rural Sudanese homes to refugee camps in Ethiopia. In the mid-1980s, brothers Benson and Alephonsion Deng, and their cousin, Benjamin Ajak, escaped an attack on their Dinka village that left their families and community either dead or enslaved. Amid the violence of the civil war, they joined thousands of lost boys trekking across the unforgiving terrain of Sudan into the neighboring but equally dangerous Ethiopia. They survived starvation and disease, avoided armies seeking to recruit or capture them and were separated during the chaos. Some five years later, the boys’ paths reunited in a Kenyan refugee camp. Through the International Rescue Committee, all three were brought to the United States to begin new lives.
The book was selected not only for its remarkable story of survival, but also to shed light on the refugee population living in Southern California. HB Reads One hopes their selection will educate, inspire and put a face on local refugees.
Authors Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng and Benjamin Ajak, now residents of San Diego, will be making an appearance at Huntington Beach High School on March 11 as the finale of HB Reads One. They will be discussing their experiences with an assembly of seven high schools during the day, followed by a talk with the community at 7 p.m. in the gym at 1905 Main St. in Huntington Beach. A book signing will follow the talk.
714.374.5307 :: hbreads.org
HB Reads One Events
Documentary Screening: Lost Boys of Sudan
Thursday, February 11, 7 p.m.
Huntington Beach Central Library: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach
Judy Bernstein Signing
(Bernstein mentored Benson and Alephonsion Deng and Benjamin Ajak upon their arrival in the United States and wrote the foreword of They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky.)
Saturday, February 13, 2 p.m.
Barnes & Noble Bookstore: 7881 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach
:: 714.897.8781
“Out of Africa” Children’s Hour
Thursday, February 18, 3:30 p.m.
Huntington Beach Central Library: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach
Documentary Screening: War Child
Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m.
Huntington Beach Central Library: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach
African Marketplace & International Craft Fair
(Refugee women from Africa will sell their handmade goods, such as jewelry and clothing, and will donate a portion of the proceeds to orphanages and women’s shelters in Africa. After the market, representatives from the nonprofits International Rescue Committee, Drop in the Bucket and Jewish World Watch, will discuss their work and progress in Sudan.)
Thursday, February 25, 6 p.m.
Huntington Beach Central Library: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach
Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng and Benjamin Ajak Appearance
Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m.
Huntington Beach High School Gym: 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach
