Incoming first-year students at Missouri University of Science and Technology will have some required reading this summer as part of the university’s new “One Book” program. The program aims to improve freshman students’ experience during their first year at Missouri S&T by giving them something in common to talk about.

Incoming first-year students will be expected to read the book during the summer before they arrive on campus. The book will then be taught in all sections of English 20, the introductory composition course required of most freshmen.

In addition to giving all incoming students an intellectual experience in common, the program will give students several opportunities for critical thinking on a topic of social relevance while promoting the value and importance of reading beyond the classroom.

This year’s One Book selection is They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys of Sudan, written by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng and Benjamin Ajak, with Judy Bernstein, and published in 2005.

“They Poured Fire on Us is a powerful true story about the tragic civil war in Sudan, as witnessed by three of the tens of thousands of young children who were forced by flee their homes and walk more than 1,000 miles across eastern Africa after their villages were destroyed,” says Dr. Kate Drowne, assistant professor of English and technical communication and director of the Missouri S&T Writing Center. “A Washington Post reviewer described the book as ‘one of the most riveting stories ever told of African childhoods – and a stirring tale of courage.’”

As part of the One Book program, additional events related to the book, including lectures, films, discussions, musical events and a writing contest are also planned. These events will be open to the public.

The program will culminate on Oct. 22, with a campus visit by the authors of They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky. During a campus lecture that is open to the public, they will read from their book, answer questions, sign books and present awards to the writing contest winners.

Organizers of the program say they also hope to foster a sense of community and connectedness among students, faculty and staff. Complimentary copies of the book are available to any Missouri S&T faculty or staff member who is interested in reading the book. Faculty and staff will be required to present a valid university ID at the Missouri S&T Bookstore to receive their free copy.

“We want the One Book program to reach all interested members of the Missouri S&T community, not just incoming freshmen,” Drowne says.

More information about the Missouri S&T One Book program, sponsored by the Missouri S&T office of undergraduate studies, is available online at onebook.mst.edu or email onebook@mst.edu.