University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Established in 2004, One Big Book Club’s goals are:

• To provide a common summer reading experience for all entering first year students
• To acquaint students to the collegiate academic experience
• To create a sense of community among first year students, faculty, and staff through small group book discussion
• To facilitate dialog and discussion among faculty, staff, orientation leaders and students around a common theme
• To assist students with concerns regarding transition and to aid in their social/academic development
• To introduce students to the process of critical thinking about a text
• To connect themes from the text to campus-wide programming
• To promote writing through the essay contest

Selection Criteria

• Selection committee is made up of faculty, staff and students
• Books are considered based on its readability, number of pages, and compelling story
• Central theme(s) to consider: dealing with transition, overcoming adversity, being exposed to diverse situations or individuals
• First year students should be able to relate to the author and/or characters
• The book should challenge first year students to think about issues they may face

Previous Books Read

• 2008—My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
• 2007—Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy by Carlos Eire
• 2006—Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• 2005—The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
• 2004—The Color of Water by James McBride