Maryland's One Book Pick for 2010 Speaks to Global Community

March 1, 2010

Contact: Lisa Keir
410-685-0095
lkeir@mdhc.org

The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is delighted to announce that the One Maryland One Book 2010 selection Outcasts United: An American Town, A Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference, a nonfiction work by Warren St. John.

Outcasts United is the story of a soccer team of refugee boys from war zones in Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan called the "Fugees"; their coach, Luma Mufleh; and the town where they live-Clarkston, Georgia-a sleepy, southern town upended by refugee resettlement. The story is not only an inspiring tale of a small town becoming global, but also a story about resilience, the power of one person to make a difference and the challenge of creating community in a place where people seem to have little in common.

"I'm thrilled that Outcasts United has been selected for this year's One Maryland One Book," says author Warren St. John. Outcasts United is a story about the challenges and rewards of living in diverse communities, and shows the difference one person can make in the lives of many. It's a book that I hope will inspire debate and conversation about how to grapple with cultural changes that are occurring in communities across the country, including in Maryland. I look forward to being part of that conversation. Go Fugees!"

Outcasts United was selected by a volunteer committee of librarians, educators, authors, journalists and bibliophiles in February 2010 from a list of over 160 titles submitted from readers across the state.

The committee overwhelmingly supported this choice, explaining "[Outcasts United] is a story of determination, kindness, caring and overcoming obstacles. It is the story of hope and the quest for freedom and economic survival-that is why people come to America."

Phoebe Stein Davis, executive director of MHC says, "We are delighted with the 2010 One Maryland One Book selection Outcasts United. This book touches on issues critical to Marylanders such as immigration, community and diversity. One Maryland One Book does such a great job at encouraging informed dialogue among community members, so I'm looking forward to seeing what new discussions and events will take place in 2010."

Author Warren St. John has written for the New York Observer, the New Yorker, Wired and Slate, in addition to his work as a reporter for The New York Times. His first book, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania (2004), was named one of Sports Illustrated's best books of the year and ranked number one on The Chronicle of Higher Education's list of the best books ever written about collegiate athletics.

Now in its third year, One Maryland One Book, a program of the Maryland Center for the Book at MHC, is Maryland's first and only statewide community reading project. One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. Readers then participate in book-centered discussions and other lively programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges and universities, museums, bookstores and other organizations. All related programming, including an author tour, will take place in fall 2010. A calendar of free public programs will be available online this summer.

One Maryland One Book is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, LSTA grant funds, through the Division of Library Development & Services, Maryland State Department of Education and the Comcast Foundation and in partnership with Enoch Pratt Free Library and Barnes & Noble.

For more information or for organizations interested in partnering with MHC on this project, visit the One Maryland One Book Web site at www.onemarylandonebook.org or call (410) 685-0095.

The Maryland Humanities Council is a statewide, educational, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The purpose of MHC is to stimulate and promote informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders. For more information about MHC, please visit www.mdhc.org.

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