This year’s One Book, One Batavia community-wide reading program will bring home harrowing tales of international intrigue, resilience and empowerment during the dangerous days of World War II.
One Book, One Batavia, which launches Friday, March 28, is presented annually by the Batavia Public Library and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library. The Friends, a nonprofit organization, provides a substantial portion of the funding required to host this month-long program.
The Batavia Public Library selected three books to unite us, with one geared for adults, one for teens and one for children. The adult selection is “Good Night, Irene” by Luis Alberto Urrea; the teen selection is “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys; and the youth selection is “Allies” by Alan Gratz.
The teen and youth book selections are a new feature this year, designed to give residents from every age group the opportunity to enjoy these exciting stories together.
In “Good Night, Irene,” we follow Irene Woodward, who has abandoned an abusive fiancé in 1943 New York and “enlists with the Red Cross and heads to Europe. She and Dorothy Dunford, a towering Midwesterner with a ferocious wit, are part of a group of women nicknamed Donut Dollies who command military vehicles…at the front lines, providing camaraderie and a taste of home that may be the only solace before troops head into battle.”
To learn more about the teen and youth books, “Salt to the Sea” and “Allies,” please visit bataviapubliclibrary.org/one-book-one-batavia-2025.
This community-wide reading experience is designed to spark conversations about the stories and their themes and enrich readers’ lives by exposing them to a variety of books and ideas.
The Kickoff Celebration is a special after-hours program from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. It will feature donuts and refreshments, WWII-era music and games, crafting, and the opportunity to learn about an easy way to help our troops.
Visit our website at bataviapubliclibrary.org/one-book-one-batavia-2025 or pick up a program guide in the Library for more details on One Book, One Batavia programs offered throughout April.
— Batavia Public Library