The 5th Annual One Book, One Community Event for Saukville and Port Washington

For the last five years, we (the libraries of Port Washington, Saukille and the Port High School) have put together programs to celebrate the community read. This year, we chose The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. 

The Fault in Our Stars opens with "Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death." Hazel has terminal cancer, so of course she's thinking about death. She's dying. Her cancer is treatable, but incurable, and she is determined to live out her the rest of her life, living. Because her mother thinks that she is depressed, she "encourages" her daughter to go to a support group involving other kids who have cancer. She doesn't want to go, but she eventually does and there she meets with Augustus Waters, a boy in remission. They become fast friends, both equally aware that their friendship may not last long. 

It is in this friendship that the humor of the story shines. Augustus, or Gus, wants Hazel to live with no regrets. He shows her life. They exchange books, play video games, eat pizza. Like normal, non-sick, non-dying, teenagers. 

One of the larger themes in the book is Hazel's worry about what is going to happen to her parents when she dies. Over the years, they have spent so much money on her health care, so much time nursing her, that she feels they won't know what to do with themselves once she's gone. 

Heartfelt and well written, it is a story, like I said, for everyone, with a message that is for everyone. 

Hazel is based on a girl who also had terminal cancer. Esther Grace Earl had thyroid cancer at a very young age. She passed away at 16. Her family set up the This Star Won't Go Out Foundation to help other families who have seriously ill children. The amount of money that it takes to care for them, wether it be hotel rooms while the child is getting treatment in another state, medical equipment or finalcial suppot, TSWGO is there for them. 

Our event for the fifth annual One Book, One Community is something we haven't tried before: a fundraiser. We will be holding a fundraiser for the This Star Won't Go Out Foundation to help the Earl family give back to the families who need it most, and honor Esther Earl's short, but vibrant life. 

A Taste of Giving Back: Benefiting the This Star Won’t Go Out Foundation. 

Saturday, April 20th, 11 am-2 pm. at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Cafeteria in Port Washington. 

Donation cost $10.00

Local restaurants and businesses from the Port Washington and Saukville area will be represented at this rare tasting event. We will also have raffles for great prizes, like copies of the book, T-shirts, and gift certificates from local restaurants and businesses. Come and sample our area’s finest tastes while giving back to a great cause, the This Star Won’t Go Out Foundation. The This Star Won’t Go Out Foundation financially assists families struggling through the journey of a child living with cancer. We will also have an opening for nominations of families in the Port Washington and Saukville area to be able to receive aid fromTSWGO. Do you know of someone who could use help? See our Table at the event for more details. 

Books are availble for checkout and purchase at both Oscar Grady Library and the WJ Niederkorn Library. Go to easicat.com to reserve your copy today.