ABERDEEN, S.D. (July 11, 2017) – Northern State University has chosen the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Salt to the Sea” as its 2017 common read.
Author Ruta Sepetys will deliver NSU’s annual Common Read Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Theater. The event is free and open to the public.
Sepetys is an internationally acclaimed author of historical fiction published in more than 50 countries and 36 languages. Born in Michigan, she is the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee raised in a family of artists, readers and music lovers. She currently lives in Tennessee.
“Salt to the Sea,” winner of the Carnegie Medal, is set in 1945 as World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia. The book, which has been optioned by Universal Pictures, follows the story of four refugees on a desperate trek toward freedom. Their paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff.
“Faculty, staff and students work together on the Common Read Committee to choose the book. This year, the committee wanted to choose a work of fiction that would generate good discussions in our first year seminar classes. Themes in ‘Salt to the Sea’ include transitioning to adulthood, refugee flows generated by war, and humanity in the face of crisis,” said Dr. Erin Fouberg, director of the NSU Honors Program.
The NSU Honors Program sponsors the NSU Common Read, with funding from student fees. After eight years of running a successful program, the NSU Honors Program is looking for a donor to endow the NSU Common Read. Interested donors can contact Fouberg or Vice President of Development of the NSU Foundation Jon Olson.
More Common Read events will be planned during the fall semester. “Salt to the Sea” is available for purchase at the NSU Wolf Shoppe.
For more information, contact Fouberg at erin.fouberg@northern.edu.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.