Willard Library - Battle Creek Reads

‘The Book of Harlan’ by Bernice McFadden

“The Book of Harlan” by Bernice L. McFadden is Willard Library’s 2022 Battle Creek Reads book.

In its 17th year, Battle Creek Reads encourages the entire community to read one book and then hear the author talk about it. McFadden will speak about the book and her writing on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriot, 12891 Harper Village Drive.

In voting last summer, library guests selected “Courage: Finding Comfort in Discomfort” as the 2022 Battle Creek Reads’ theme.

The historical novel centers on Harlan, an African American musician during the 1940s, as he travels to Paris during World War II with his bandmate. Both are held in internment camps during the Nazi occupation.

“I'm excited that a popular story is being told differently from the World War II stories that are expected. There is not a lot of African American WWII fiction out there,” Reference Librarian Jade Woodridge said. “I think the theme speaks to people discovering their resilience during the ongoing pandemic. While not about a health crisis, ‘The Book of Harlan’ tells the story of personal triumph and overcoming the challenges life throws at you."

“The Book of Harlan” was a winner of a 2017 American Book Award and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction.

The book is available in print and ebook from Hoopla and Libby.

The library plans related programs including genealogy and history echoing the book’s themes and will offer Book Club in a Bag kits with book discussion guides.

Questions or Suggestions:
Contact librarian Jade Woodridge at 269-968-8166, ext. 504, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to send her an email.