Thousand Oaks Reads 2008

One City, One Book is a City-wide book club. The entire community is invited to read and discuss the same book; participate in book discussions, film screenings, drama, an essay contest and other events held throughout the city.

THE BOOK: What Is the What: the Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng

-- a work of fiction by Dave Eggers

"A biographical novel traces the story of Valentino Achak Deng, who as a boy was separated from his family when his village in southern Sudan was attacked, and became one of the estimated 17,000 'lost boys of Sudan' before relocating from a Kenyan refugee camp to Atlanta in 2001." -- NoveList

Read reviews of What is the What.

Companion titles for families and children
To encourage multi-generational reading and engage a wider audience, these companion titles relate to the subject and themes of this year’s One City One Book selection.

WHEN: a month-long celebration of the book: September 20 - October 18, 2008.

WHY: When we open a book together, we close it in greater harmony.

Valentino Achak Deng

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