Butte College, along with CSU Chico and Butte County Libraries, Enloe Hospital, the City of Chico and many others have adopted Zeitoun by Dave Eggers as the book in common for the 2011-2012 school year.

Zeitoun is the story of one family, caught between America's two biggest policy disasters: the war on terror and the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Purpose of the Book in Common at Butte College

• To bring the Butte Glenn community together through a common experience
• To bring literate, engaging stories, and relevant topics to the Butte College community
• To value the pursuit of learning through books
• To recognize our shared humanity

Campus events are scheduled throughout the year to discuss this story and the book’s principal themes. Faculty members are encouraged to integrate the book into their class reading assignments and discussions. The book becomes a touchstone and a common experience to start conversations and engage in intellectual reflection. Events Schedule. (In development)

To purchase a book, visit the Butte College Bookstore or order on-line. The bookstore offers the book at a 25% discount. Books are also available at the Butte College Library.

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Create a Book in Common Book Group
Enjoy the pleasure of reading a compelling story. Find a few other people who would like to read the book and set up a few dates to discuss it. Faculty members can even get flex credit through a staff development partnership for holding a book group discussion.

About the book

Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun run a house-painting business in New Orleans. In August of 2005, as Hurricane Katrina approaches, Kathy evacuates with their four children, leaving Zeitoun to watch over the business. In the days following the storm he travels the city by canoe, feeding abandoned animals and helping elderly neighbors. Then, on September 6th, police officers armed with M-16s arrest Zeitoun in his home. Told with eloquence and compassion, Zeitoun is a riveting account of one family's unthinkable struggle with forces beyond wind and water.