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One Book, One Community
One Book, One Community hardly comes close to summing up the scale and success of this project that has been sweeping across Ireland over the last couple of years.
It's turned out to be a constellation of celebrations of great books, of reading and of community spirit as libraries, schools, publishers and authors all work together to inspire kids to love books. It's grass-roots activism and something to be very proud of.
We're thrilled to have had O'Brien Press books used in an ever-growing number of One Book, One Community projects around Ireland, including the selection of Marilyn Taylor's 17 Martin Street for Dublin's first project -- One Book, One Inchicore in 2010. Our support for these projects has included
- supply of teaching materials and guides for the books
- supply of posters, bookmarks, cover blow-ups and other display material
- assistance in getting the authors involved directly in the projects
- collaboration in the production of audio versions of the books (for Faraway Home)
In many cases the authors have become actively involved in the projects.
And there are more coming! For now, we'd like to thank all the communities who have chosen The O'Brien Press for such a worthwhile venture and we wish all the upcoming projects great success.
If you are considering running a One Book, One Community project, you could consider the titles listed below: they have all been used before and you can draw on the success and experience of the communities who used them. Alternatively, there are lots of other great O'Brien Press titles and authors that could be perfect for your community. For a list of themes that feature in our books, check out the mini-catalogue below for great ideas. If you would like to talk about title selection, project ideas or direct purchase of books for your project, please contact Linda Crosbie (linda@obrien.ie).
Select any book or cover for more information on the title: extracts and teaching guides are available for free viewing.
 Yellow Flag: For readers aged 6+ (includes Flyers)
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Alfie Green and the Chocolate Cosmos
(hb)
Joe O'Brien
Budsville’s chocolate fair cancelled? No way, Alfie decides. Chocolate seeds from Arcania are the answer, but only if he can survive the Roaring Rainforest, the vicious Spider Plant and the Forest Ogre
Existing projects: Ballyfermot
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 Red Flag: For readers aged 8+
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Adam's Starling
(pb)
Gillian Perdue
Winner of the Eilís Dillon Memorial Award. Adam's Starling tells the story of nine-year-old Adam who is finding life very diffficult. At home no-one has any time for him and at school bullies pick on him.
Existing projects: Mahon
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 Blue Flag: For readers aged 10+
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17 Martin Street
(pb)
Marilyn Taylor
When Hetty’s family move to Martin Street near Portobello bridge in Dublin, they’re not sure of their welcome.
And next door, Ben’s family are not sure about their new Jewish neighbours: it’s The Emergency and they are suspicious of strangers.
Existing projects: Inchicore, Liberties
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Across the Divide
(pb)
Brian Gallagher
When Liam, a poor eleven-year-old boy, and Nora, a rich ten-year-old girl meet at a Feis Ceol, an unlikely bond is formed - a bond that leads to a friendship spanning the deeply divided city that was Dublin in 1913.
Existing projects: Fairview
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Faraway Home
(pb)
Marilyn Taylor
Two Jewish children are sent from Nazi-occupied Austria to a refugee farm in Northern Ireland. Will they ever see their families again? Based on the true story of Millisle refugee farm in Ards, Co Down.
Existing projects: Ballymun
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The Secret of Kells
(pb)
Eithne Massey
This novel brings to life the fictionalised story of Brendan, a young monk in the monastery of Kells and his part in the completion of one of the world’s most famous & treasured books, The Book of Kells.
Movie tie-in for the Oscar nominated film
Existing projects: Kilkenny, Tuam
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Spirit of the Titanic
(pb)
Nicola Pierce
Fifteen-year-old Samuel Scott moves restlessly aboard the Titanic as she sails to her doom in 1912. An eyewitness to the final days in the lives of rich and poor, crew and passengers, this is Samuel’s story …
Existing projects: Cobh, Limerick, Wexford
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Taking Sides
(pb)
A Boy. A Girl. A Nation Torn Apart.
Brian Gallagher
Dublin 1922. Civil War is coming when working class Annie Reilly enters Eccles Street Convent School. Peter Scanlon, the friend of a friend, gets dragged into the war. Their friendship and loyalties are tested as Irishmen fights Irishmen on the streets.
Existing projects: Fairview, Larkin Community VEC
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