The Primary Title
The One Book Project is a communitywide reading and discussion project inviting everyone to read and discuss the themes of civil rights, tolerance, diversity, acceptance, and courage.
About the Fall 2022 Primary Title
When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957, she and eight other black students only wanted to make it to class. But the journey of the “Little Rock Nine,” as they came to be known, would lead the nation on an even longer and much more turbulent path, one that would challenge prevailing attitudes, break down barriers, and forever change the landscape of America.
A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School
by Carlotta Walls LaNier
Read the FALL 2022 SELECTION
Join the Discussion
Sign Up Through 
Sign up for the One Book Project Reading Challenge through Beanstack. Record reading sessions and manage family accounts to earn digital badges and prizes!
The challenge starts September 12, 2022 and ends November 30, 2022. Three challenge finishers will also be entered to win a grand prize!
Recommended Book Titles
Sign up through Beanstack and read two of the recommended book titles on this page to earn the digital badge and win a prize!
Picture Books
Tween Titles
Teen Titles
Adult Titles
One Book Premier Events
THE ONE BOOK KICKOFF EVENT
With co-host Bakersfield College and Umoja Community ASTEP Program
MON. | SEPT. 12 | 3-4pm
Breaking Barriers: The Trials and Triumph of Being a Trailblazer
Levan Center, Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive Bakersfield 661.395.4011
Local leaders will share their stories of struggle and victory in becoming the first; they will be in conversation with BC students who share similar feelings of isolation and marginalization.
Moderator:
Paula L. Parks – PhD
Panelists:
Jeanie Hill – First African American Miss Kern County
Robert Reader – Founder of MLK Center, Second African American Counselor at Bakersfield College, Retired Executive Director of Human Services & GET Bus.
Bakersfield College Students
Ethics in Film: White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch featuring Carla Barrientos
Hosted by CSUB’s Kegley Institute of Ethics and Alumni Association
WED. | SEPT. 14 | 6pm
Dezember Reading Room in the Walter Stiern Library at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 661.654.3172
Documentary film surveys the popularity and ruin of the once coveted “all-American” brand.
Click here for more information about this event.
The Making of the News Observer with Editor James Luckey
TUE. | OCT. 4 | 4:30-5:30pm
Beale Memorial Library Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue. 661.868.0701
Editor James Luckey will share his family history owning The News Observer Newspaper and talk about how the newspaper’s content is created.
Walking the Path: Overcoming Barriers to Education in the Central Valley
THUR. | OCT. 13 | 5:30-7pm
Delano Campus, Science & Technology Building – Room 109, 1450 Timmons Ave. Delano, CA 93215 661.395.2015
Join us on the Delano Campus of Bakersfield College, where Kern Community College District Trustee Romeo Agbalog and Mayor of Delano Brian Osario will discuss what it means to overcome barriers when obtaining education in the Central Valley and share experiences from their own educational paths.
Redistricting and Redlining Effects on BIPOC Communities
THUR. | OCT. 20 | 4-6pm
Beale Memorial Library Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue. 661.868.0701
A discussion where expert panelists will discuss the redistricting process, research, and practice of redlining and the affect on BIPOC communities in Kern County.
Moderator:
Eileen Diaz – B.A. in Public History, CSUB. Currently working on M.A. in History, CSUB.
Panelists:
Donato Cruz – B.A. and M.A. in History; Masters Thesis: America’s Newest City: 1950s Bakersfield and the Making of the Modern Suburban Segregated Landscape.
Jesus Garcia – Demographer/Statistician. Partnership Specialist, Central Valley Census. Demographer, Dolores Huerta Foundation Equitable Maps Coalition (EMC) Redistricting Project. Master’s degree in Urban Planning.
Sophia Garcia – Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College and a GIS Certificate from California State University Bakersfield.
Harveen Kaur – Community Organizer, Jakarta Movement. BS in Social Policy & Public Service, UC Irvine.
Lori Pesante – Educational and Political Consultant. Former Arizona Governing Board Member and state association Black Caucus President.
Traco Matthews – Chief Program Officer, Community Action Partnership of Kern.
The Sound of Something Better – A Legacy of Racial Injustice in Bakersfield
Hosted by CSUB Walter Stiern Library
WED. | OCT. 26 | 4-5pm
Dezember Reading Room in the Walter Stiern Library at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 661.654.3172
A panel discussion with topics pertaining to racial inequalities, housing and education discrimination in Bakersfield and surrounding communities.
An Evening with Carlotta Walls LaNier – Visit & Book Signing
THUR. | OCT. 27 | 7pm
The Icardo Center at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 661.654.3172
Author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School will be visiting and sharing more of her personal experience.
Generational and Modern-Day Racial Trauma
THUR. | NOV. 3 | 11:30am-1pm
Beale Memorial Library Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue. 661.868.0701
A discussion where panelists will discuss the historical, generational and modern-day traumas suffered by the black community and its members.
Moderator:
Gerald L. Gridiron – Math and Computer Information Systems Professor at Mohave Community College and Community Advocate. Chief Operating Officer, Gridstone, Inc. Ordained Church of God In Christ Elder. BS Industrial BS Engineering, Arizona State University; MS Management Information Systems–Keller School of Management; PhD Information Systems-Dakota State University; Lean Green Belt Certified-Arizona State University; Collegiate Teaching Certification-Northern Arizona University.
Panelists:
Darius G. Riggins – Director, University Outreach at CSU Bakersfield. BA in Pan-African Studies, an MA in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership. Ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and currently serves on the ministerial staff at CAIN AME Church in Bakersfield.
Dr. Nakysha Gridiron-Cummings – Cerro Coso Community College, Psychology/Sociology Professor
Andre Ponder – Superintendent Mineral County School District. Bachelor of Information Technology Degree from American Intercontinental University, MA in Educational Leadership from Lynn University and a Master of Human Resources from University of Phoenix. Current Doctoral Candidate at Grand Canyon University.
Dr. Niesha Davis, MSW, LCSW, CAMS-II – Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Evangelist, a Certified Anger Management Specialist II, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Chief Executive Officer – Life Connections. Founder and CEO of YWRAP (Young Women Reaching Accomplishable Places).
Channel Powe – Educational and Political Consultant. Former Arizona Governing Board Member and state association Black Caucus President.
Journey to CSUB: Experiences in the Civil Rights Era
MON. | NOV. 7 | 6:30-8pm
Dezember Reading Room in the Walter Stiern Library at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 661.654.3172
A panel discussion hosted by the Public History Institute and the Historical Research Center at CSUB.
More info here.
Delta Sigma Theta’s Lighting the Torch for Literacy
SAT. | SEPT. 10 | 10am-noon
Bakersfield Senior Center, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 661.654.3172
To support Bakersfield City School District’s PROUD Academy students and families with book giveaway sponsor Kern Literacy Council.
*This event is not open to the public
One Book Project Event Highlights
Family Storytime
Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, & fun for the whole family.
Wed. | Sept. 7 | 4:30pm
Wed. | Sept. 14 | 4:30pm
Tue. | Oct. 4 | 11am
Tue. | Oct. 18 | 11am
Thur. | Sept. 1 | 11am
Tue. | Sept. 20 | 11am
Fri. | Sept. 16 | 11:30am
Fri. | Oct. 15 | 11:30am
Thur. | Sept. 15 | 4pm
Thur. | Sept. 22 | 4pm
Thur. | Sept. 15 | 11:30am
Thur. | Oct. 13 | 11:30am
Wed. | Sept. 14 | 4:30pm
Wed. | Oct. 12 | 4:30pm
Thur. | Sept. 22 | 12pm
Thur. | Oct. 20 | 12pm
Thur. | Sept. 15 | 12pm
Fri. | Sept. 23 | 12pm
Thur. | Oct. 13 | 12pm
Wed. | Sept. 14 | 3:30pm
Wed. | Oct. 12 | 3:30pm
Fri. | Sept. 16 | 4pm
Fri. | Sept. 23 | 4pm
Wed. | Sept. 22 | 4pm
Wed. | Oct. 19 | 4pm
Mon. | Sept. 12 | 11:30am
Mon. | Oct. 10 | 11:30am
Thur. | Oct. 6 | 11am
Thur. | Oct. 20 | 11am
Tue. | Sept. 13 | 11:30am
Tue. | Oct. 11 | 11:30am
Thur. | Sept. 15 | 10:30am
Thur. | Oct. 13 | 10:30am
Thur. | Nov. 10 | 10:30am
Tue. | Sept. 27 | 4pm
Wed. | Oct. 12 | 4pm
Tue. | Sept. 13 | 4pm
Tue. | Oct. 11 | 4pm
Mon. | Sept. 12 | 4pm
Mon. | Sept. 19 | 4pm
Thur. | Sept. 22 | 11am
Thur. | Nov. 17 | 11am
Tue. | Sept. 27 | 3:30pm
Tue. | Oct. 18 | 3:30pm
Thur. | Oct. 13 | 4pm
Thur. | Oct. 27 | 4pm
One Book Project Book Club
Join us for a live book discussion on A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School by Carlotta Wall LaNier.
Thur. | Sept. 29 | 5pm
Wed. | Oct. 12 | ??pm
Thur. | Nov. 17 | 12:30pm
Wed. | Oct. 26 | 5pm
Thur. | Sept. 29 | 5pm
Tue. | Oct. 25 | 5pm
Thur. | Nov. 17 | 5pm
Mon. | Sept. 26 | 4pm
Fri. | Oct. 21 | ??pm
Film Screenings
FREE Flix. View and join the discussion.
Song of the Butterflies
KERN RIVER VALLEY BRANCH LIBRARY 7054 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella. 760.549.2083
Fri. | Sept. 9 | 4pm
DELANO BRANCH LIBRARY 925 Tenth Avenue, Delano. 661.725.1078
Fri. | Oct. 14 | 3:30pm
Film Talk!
Let's discuss Jordan Peele's films Get Out, Us, and Nope!
Thur. | Oct. 20 | 4pm
Tue. | Oct. 25 | 4pm
Crafty Teens
Stop by most library branches to work on crafts.
Fri. | Sept. 23 | 4pm
Thur. | Sept. 15 | 4pm
Thur. | Oct. 6 | 12pm
Fri. | Oct. 7 | 4pm
Mon. | Sept. 12 | 4pm
Tue. | Oct. 4 | 12pm
Thur. | Sept. 1 | 3:30pm
Thur. | Oct. 6 | 3:30pm
Thur. | Nov. 3 | 3:30pm
Coloring Stations
Stop by our coloring station and make new friends while expressing yourself through color. Take a coloring sheet or an activity sheet and have some fun! From September to November, we'll have One Book Project related sheets ready for you, so come on by!
Adults Get Crafty
Stop by most library branches to work on crafts.
Tue. | Sept. 27 | 4pm
Fri. | Sept. 23 | 4pm
Thur. | Sept. 22 | 4pm
Fri. | Oct. 7 | 12pm
Thur. | Sept. 22 | 3pm
Mon. | Oct. 3 | 4pm
Wed. | Oct. 5 | 12pm
History of the One Book Project
The program began in 2001 through the grassroots efforts of Jillian Fritch, an elementary school teacher who had read a story in the Los Angeles Times regarding One Book, One Community initiatives; at the time Seattle Reads and One Book Chicago were pioneers, and Los Angeles had decided to do a One Book project. Jillian was inspired to begin a project in Bakersfield. The first book was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” An array of community partners jumped on board, including education, nonprofits, local government, businesses, and media outlets. The Kern County Library became the lead organization in 2003. Now, the One Book Project continues to reach out to our diverse Kern County community both in book choice and related programming. In 2010, the One Book Project began a partnership with California State University, Bakersfield’s “Runner Reader Program” (or First-Year Experience Program), which involves students reading a common book. Through this partnership, the community has benefited extended programming, including author visits and talks at CSUB at the culmination of the read. In November 2011, more than 1,400 people turned out to hear author Wes Moore speak about his book, “The Other Wes Moore.” One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern remains a grassroots project that relies on community partners and donations to provide related programming and copies of the book throughout the county.
Our Partners
A special thanks to our partners for participating in our One Book Project effort. As well as, Gridstone, Inc. Bakersfield College Department of Student Affairs, Kern Literacy Council, and Kern Council Teachers of English.
