GRANTHAM, Pa. (Aug. 22, 2007) — This year’s Common Reading Convocation at Messiah College features a talk by George Pickens, associate professor of global ministries at Messiah College, about the cultural setting of  “The Kite Runner,” the novel chosen as the college’s common reading text.  The lecture is Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium, located in the Eisenhower Campus Center on the college’s Grantham campus.  The public is welcome to attend; no tickets or reservations are necessary.  After the lecture, a question-and-answer session and reception with Afghani food and music will take place in the Larsen Student Union.

The talk, titled “Beyond ‘The Kite Runner:’ Life Lessons on Embracing Diversity,” purports to address various issues raised by the book, particularly those of Christian and Muslim relations.  Khaled Hosseini’s book, “The Kite Runner,” has been selected as the common reading text for all first-year Messiah College students because of its poignant themes of unlikely friendship and redemption.

“The Kite Runner” is a fictional work set in Afghanistan; it details the lives of two boys from different socio-economic backgrounds growing up in stressful personal and political settings. In 2006, “The Kite Runner” was selected for the One Book, One Community program which aims to unite residents in six central Pennsylvania counties by encouraging everyone to read the selected book. Its portrayals of both betrayal and redemption have garnered it the respect and admiration of a reading public.

About Messiah College’s common reading program

Begun in 2004, Messiah College’s common reading program seeks to foster a spirit of community among first-year students and educators. All Messiah College employees, alumni and parents were invited to read “The Kite Runner” along with students. Hosseini’s book will be used as the basis for discussions during first-year student orientation activities as well as in all first-year seminar classes, a required writing class at Messiah College.

About George Pickens

During his career as both a missionary and teacher, Pickens has spent considerable time living among Muslims in both East and West Africa. His background, including 17 years of teaching on the subject of Christian/Muslim relations, situates him perfectly to understand and present the culture and the themes of the book and the lessons that can be learned from it.

About Messiah College