Partners
Once again this year, the Shawnee County Reading Program is sponsoring the “On the Same Page” Reading Program. This fine program promotes reading by having everyone in the community read the same book at the same time. As a result, everyone can talk about the book with their families, friends and co-workers.
The “On the Same Page” Program promotes getting together and reading and discussing the same book, which makes this a fun learning experience. I’m encouraging everyone to get “on the same page” and participate in this exciting experience.
James A. McClinton
Mayor
City of Topeka
To read a “first novel” by a new author is exciting. But a “first novel” that immediately draws you into a subject so controversial and unimaginable to most of us is an art. Julie Otsuka’s novel, “When the Emperor was Divine,” created a sense of “being there” for me as I began to feel the emotions that fill the pages about this event so foreign to my life experiences. The story begins on a sunny, spring day and ends on a sunny, spring day, with three years between them like bookends encasing history. This is an easy book to read, and it is a book that begs discussion. By itself, War leaves many physical, mental, and emotional scars, but it’s the innocent victims who forever seek understanding. This is a book that can help us understand how prejudice and discrimination affects the lives of its victims, no matter who they are or why they are discriminated against. The selection of “When the Emperor was Divine” provides us with an opportunity to confront prejudice and discrimination by sharing ideas and feelings in an open environment for the exchange of thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Perhaps it will help us realize that we are all connected as human beings. I heartily recommend it!
David L. Leamon, Executive Director
A special thanks to our community partners who assisted with the selection of the book, planned programs, offered discounts on the books or assisted in underwriting the project and the programs.
§ Aldersgate Village
§ City of Topeka
§ Barnes & Noble Booksellers
§ Brewster Place Retirement Community
§ ERC Resource and Referral Services
§ Friends of the Library
§ First Congregational Church
§ Hastings Books Music & Video
§ Hayden High School
§ Kansas Center for the Book
§ Junior League of Topeka
§ Lexington Park Independent Living
§ McCrite Plaza
§ National Endowment for the Humanities
§ Presbyterian Manor
§ USD 501- Topeka Schools
§ USD 345- Seaman Schools
§ USD 437- Auburn Washburn Schools
§ State of Kansas
§ The Library Foundation
§ Topeka Collegiate
§ Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library