Lead character Katniss Everdeen’s adventures in the best-selling story may have come to an end, but her adventures continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide. In “The Girl Who Was On Fire,” 16 young adult authors take readers back to Panem with moving, dark and funny pieces on Katniss, reality TV, survival and more. The included essays examine the correlations between the storylines and themes in “The Hunger Games” – the book chosen for the 2011-2012 One Book, One Community program — and how they relate to today’s society.

“The goal of the One Book, One Community program is for a book to inspire people to talk about not only the story, but how that story impacts their lives,” said Barb McDonald, outreach coordinator for Sarasota County libraries. “ ‘The Hunger Games’ is so big that it has spawned several connecting publications by other respected authors like Leah Wilson, and we are thrilled that she will be providing her insight on the story and what it takes to be an author in today’s publishing world.”

“The Hunger Games” was selected for the 2011-2012 One Book, One Community program by more than 4,000 voters. Since October 2011, readers have been attending book discussions at their local libraries, bookstores and at many area high schools. Book discussions will continue into March, as fans anticipate the movie premiere of “The Hunger Games” on March 23.

Since 2003, the Sarasota County Library System “One Book, One Community” program has encouraged reading by recommending a compelling book that links the community in a common conversation. The One Book, One Community project is spearheaded by the Sarasota County Library System in partnership with the Sarasota County School District, New College of Florida, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota County Extension Services, Ringling College of Art and Design and other local organizations.

Other events in February include book discussion groups, lectures and presentations. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the Sarasota County libraries website at www.onebooksarasota.com

Leah Wilson, author of “The Girl Who Was On Fire,” will appear at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota, at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. The book is a compilation of 13 essays written by young adult authors. The essays examine the correlations between the story lines and themes in the book and how they relate to today’s society.

Other events in February include book discussion groups, lectures and presentations. A complete list of events, times and locations are available at www.onebooksarasota.com. All events are free and open to the public.

“The Hunger Games”, by Suzanne Collins, was the book selected for the 2011-2012 One Book, One Community project by more than 4,000 voters. Since October 2011, readers have been attending book discussions at their local libraries, bookstores and at many area high schools. Book discussions will continue into March, as fans anticipate the movie premiere on March 23.

The One Book, One Community project is spearheaded by the Sarasota County Library System in partnership with the Sarasota County School District, New College of Florida, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota County Extension Services, Ringling College of Art and Design and additional local organizations. This read-together project brings people together in conversation. Voting will begin this spring for the next book in the program in the spring.

Additional events are being added daily. For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the One Book website at www.onebooksarasota.com.

Read Susan Rife’s interview in the Herald Tribune.

Join us for a virtual interview with Emily Ansara Baines, Tuesday, Feb. 7 @ 6:30 p.m. Herald Tribune Conference Center, 1741 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Throughout roughout the U.S., the Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins, has been one of the most popular books all year. That is particularly true in Sarasota, where the Hunger Games is this year’s “one-book” selection. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences at USF Sarasota-Manatee invite you to participate in the discussion of the Hunger Games. The panel of students listed below will each talk briey about an aspect of the book that has most intrigued them, and they will seek comments from the audience members about their impressions. Due to the popularity of this book among teen readers, the panel is also hopeful that high school students will participate both on the panel and in the discussion. If you are a high school student interested in joining the panel, please contact Ann Flynn at 941-359-4454.

Student Panelists

• Nina Bullard (English Literature)
• Amanda Cornwell (English Literature)
• Jessica Johnson (English Literature)
• James Mohan (Information Technology)
• Elizabeth McNelly (English Literature)
• Michael Parker (Psychology)
• Sharona Robinson (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences)