Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book during the National Book Festival. The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) serves as the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book, U.S. Virgin Islands affiliate. The Library of Congress and its affiliate Centers for the Book work together to promote books, reading, literacy and the Library’s literary programming nationwide through public programs and initiatives designed to attract a diverse population and serve affiliates’ local audiences.
The two books selected for the USVI 2024 “Great Reads from Great Places” are “Ziggy on the Rock,” by C.M. Rohan and “The Lesson,” a novel by Cadwell Turnbull. Both authors grew up in the USVI. Congratulations to the authors!
“Ziggy on the Rock,” by C.M. Rohan, has been designated as the USVI’s youth Great Read for 2024. The book tells the story of Ziggy, a vibrant, adventurous and kind boy who is growing up in the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands. The book follows Ziggy and his friends as they explore their island home and embrace their Caribbean culture.
“The Lesson,” a novel by Cadwell Turnbull, tells the story of an alien ship resting over Water Island. For five years the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have lived with the Ynaa, a race of super-advanced aliens on a research mission they will not fully disclose. They are benevolent in many ways but meet any act of aggression with disproportional wrath. This has led to a strained relationship between the Ynaa and the local Virgin Islanders and a peace that cannot last. A year after the death of a young boy at the hands of an Ynaa, three families find themselves at the center of the inevitable conflict, witness and victim to events that will touch everyone and teach a terrible lesson.
Read more on the St Croix Source here.