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COC Book of the Year events for 'The Kite Runner'

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Contributed by: Stephanie Corral on 10/22/2008

College of the Canyons has four upcoming events - a kite-making workshop, a kick-off party, a lecture on Afghanistan history and an international student panel - in conjunction with the college's Book of the Year activities celebrating "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.

A kite-making workshop will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in the college library, Room 206. Led by math professor George Rhys, the workshop will teachparticipants about kite-flying traditions while learning how to make a kite. Materials will be provided, but space is limited. To RSVP, call Susan Cooper at 661-362-3708.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, COC history professor Sarah Burns will lecture on the history of Afghanistan to familiarize readers with the setting and historical context of the book. The lecture, "Caravanning through Afghanistan, a Corridor to Empire," will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the college library, Room 206.

Later that day, the Book of the Year kick-off party will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble bookstore located at 23630 Valencia Blvd. Refreshments will be served, and proceeds of the book sales will be donated to the college's foundation to promote literacy.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the college library, Room 206, a panel of international students will use the book as a jumping-off point for discussing Central Asian traditions, values and customs.

"The Kite Runner" begins with, "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek ... Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last 26 years."

"I think this quote captures so eloquently what the book is about," said Susan Cooper, an English professor at the college. "I think many of us are still peeking into the deserted alleys of our own childhoods."

The book was chosen not only because it has "universal themes and wide appeal but because it has application across disciplines," Cooper said. "Its setting, Afghanistan, is currently in the news, and this book will help readers understand Afghanistan, its culture and its people."

Besides bringing together the college community, the Book of the Year project was implemented to allow students the opportunity to make connections between disciplines and to become equal participants in the kind of wide-reaching, ongoing and open-ended conversation that characterizes academia.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information about these Book of the Year events, visit www.canyons.edu/offices/library/BookOfTheYear.

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