BOOKS TO BRIDGE THE  REGION uses a themed approach with selections at different reading levels so that families can read together and readers of all ages can enjoy the conversations generated by these books. 

The 2008 theme was Our Choices, Our World. Selected titles were:
     
      ADULT: Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
      YOUNG ADULT: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
      PICTURE/EASY: The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman by Darcy Pattison,
      illustrated by Joe Cepeda.  

The books chosen for the theme, “Journeys and Quests,” portray three very different types of quests. Shadow Divers describes an aquatic quest for historical answers that becomes a diving obsession for two friends. The Lightning Thief sends a 12-year-old boy on a classic quest to recover a stolen thunderbolt — if he can survive the plots and attacks of mythological monsters. The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman maps the cross-country travels of a wooden man that will reconnect family members from opposite coasts.

      Signature events included author visits by Robert Kurson and Darcy Pattison, storytelling by Dan LeMonnier, a presentation on Great Lakes shipwrecks by noted divers, Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg. Local schools, libraries, and communities planned related programs and events.

      BOOKS TO BRIDGE THE REGION conducted a signature event for each age category, including a beach clean-up at the Indiana Dunes, storytelling by Dan LeMonnier, a presentation on wolves by Gale Motter of Wolf Park, and a visit by author, Jean Hegland. Local schools, libraries, and communities are encouraged to plan related programs and events.

2008 discussion guide (all three books)
Shadow Divers discussion guide
The Lightning Thief discussion guide
The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman discussion guide