Here's a sobering statistic: According to the 2003 Kentucky State Assessment of Adult Literacy, only 11 percent of Kentucky adults are proficient in prose literacy. In fact, y'all, we're 50th out of 51 states and districts in the percentage of adults over 25 with a high school diploma or GED, and 48th in the percentage of adults with a baccalaureate degree or higher.
And that ain't good.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) is trying to change that through the One Book, One Campus, One Community project. The school is partnering with the Challenger Learning Center, McCracken County Public Library, McCracken County Information Network (McNet), Barnes & Noble, Maiden Alley Cinema and the McCracken County and Paducah public school districts to inspire our entire community to pick up the same book (instead of a remote) and come together to discuss it in a variety of settings.
This year, the selected book is Rocket Boys: A Memoir, written by hottie Homer Hickam (above).
Published in 1998, the book is the story of Hickam's life in the small town of Coalwood, W.V. It became an instant classic and has been translated into eight languages, released as an abridged audio book and electronic book and inspired the movie, October Sky, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern.
Here's a look at all the communitywide activities planned in celebration of the One Book project:
Thursday, September 11
October Sky Free Screening
Maiden Alley Cinema
7 p.m.
Open to the public.
Wednesday, October 1Rocket Boys Discussion
McCracken County Library
Noon
Retired WKCTC English professor Andrew Halford leads a special Off the Shelf discussion on Rocket Boys. Open to the public.
Monday, October 20
Essay Contest Winners Announced
WKCTC's QEP Committee sponsors an essay contest in which readers write about some aspect of the book. Entries will be accepted through October 10 for three categories: faculty/staff, WKCTC students and high school/middle school students. One winner from each category will receive $100 or a $100 gift card.
Friday, October 24
Meet Homer Hickam
WKCTC's Clemens Theatre
10 a.m.
Special invitation for our area's high school students to hear from the author.
Friday, October 24
Meet Homer Hickam
McCracken County Public Library
3 p.m. Book Signing
Special invitation to everyone to meet the author — complete with a book signing
Friday, October 24
Homer Hickam Keynote Presentation
WKCTC's Clemens Theatre
7 p.m.
Special invitation to everyone to hear from the author — complete with a book signing
All events are free but require tickets, which are available at Clemens Fine Arts Center Box Office, Maiden Alley Cinema and McCracken County Public Library. For more details, check the One Book Web site!
