Hampton University News March 21, 2016 HU Annual Read-In Selects 'Leaving Atlanta' HU annual Read In novel selection, Leaving Atlanta.<http://news.hamptonu.edu/release/HU-Annual-Read--In-Selects-%27Leaving-Atlanta%27> Hampton University's Department of English and Foreign Languages has selected "Leaving Atlanta" by Tayari Jones as the 2016 Annual Read-In book. The Read-In will take place March 23-24. Each year, the Annual Read-In encourages HU students to continue reading for pleasure by selecting one book that discusses items relevant to issues students confront in their everyday lives. The selected book is integrated into English classes and all HU students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate. The opening session on March 23, at 6 p.m. in Ogden Hall will feature the author, Jones, reading from, discussing, and entertaining questions about her award-winning work. The event will continue on March 24 with panel discussions. The heart-felt and riveting fiction explores the tragedy of the Atlanta child murders through the eyes of three Atlanta 5th graders living in the midst of the crisis. "This novel is my way of documenting a particular moment in history," said Jones. "It is a love letter to my generation and also an effort to remember my own childhood. To remind myself and my readers what it was like to be 11 and at the mercy of the world." "Leaving Atlanta" has received several awards and accolades including the Hurston/Wright Award for Debut Fiction. It was named "Novel of the Year" by Atlanta Magazine and "Best Southern Novel of the Year," by Creative Loafing Atlanta. "The Atlanta child murders, the focus of Tayari Jones' 'Leaving Atlanta', will spark the conversation for the 2016 Hampton University Read-In, uncover important facts, and lead us in the direction of ensuring that all Black children's lives matter" said Margaret Martin, Director of the Liberal Studies Program, and assistant professor of English. The Read-In events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of English and Foreign Languages at 757.727.5421 SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.