www.mcpld.org

The
God
of
Animals
A
N O V E L
One Book,
one mesa county
February 27 – March 1
One Book, One Mesa County
celebrates its fourth year with Aryn
Kyle’s The God of Animals. Find
The God of Animals at a Mesa
County Library near you,
buy it at the bookstore or
borrow it from a
friend.
Best Debut Fiction of 2007
No. 11, Best Books of 2007
– Amazon.com
Photo courtesy New Mexico State University
www.mcpld.org
The
God
of
Animals
A
N O V E L
The God of Animals, Aryn Kyle’s impressive
debut novel, is the perfect choice for the One
Book, One Mesa County event.
The unique aspect of the novel is the
fictional locale, Desert Valley, a town whose
physical description reminds us of our
neighbors to the north, Loma and Mack, as
well as the entire Grand Valley itself. When
Kyle writes about the bare, clean Colorado
high desert ranch country, it is evident that
she has not been able to forget the powerful
influence of this desert landscape. In the
closing pages of the story, Alice Winston, the
young narrator, says, “The places we come
from don’t leave us as easily as we leave
them. Desert is land that cannot be owned,
cannot be controlled, cannot be forgotten, a
place so unique unto itself that, still, so many
years later, I can sometimes feel it pulling.”
Kyle has placed her story of young Alice
Winston against this familiar backdrop of blue
mountains to the east and red rocks to the
west. As the unbearably hot summer unfolds,
Alice reveals with raw emotions how she is
betrayed by her taciturn father, her ailing
mother, her shallow friends, and the brutal
realities of ranch life, but she also experiences
a bond with a beautiful unrideable horse.
Don’t miss the opportunity to join with
others in our community to read this brilliantly
crafted novel.
Discuss the book
February 7, Collbran Branch
• Branch Book discussion at 7 p.m.
February 9, Fruita Branch
• Branch Book discussion at 11 a.m.
February 11, Orchard Mesa Branch
• Branch Book discussion at 6:15 p.m.
February 23, Palisade Branch
• Branch Book discussion at 10 a.m.
February 25, Clifton Branch
• Branch Book discussion at 2 p.m.
* Come to a book discussion and sign
up for the VIP reception with Aryn Kyle.
For One Book
information
www.mcpld.org
aUTHOR RAISED IN
grand junction
T
his year’s One Book, One
Mesa County event will be a
special one because the featured
author is originally from Grand
Junction, Colorado. Aryn Kyle
grew up in Grand Junction and
has received international acclaim for her first
novel, The God of Animals. The book has
been published in the United States, Canada,
the United Kingdom, Italy, Holland, France,
Brazil, and China.
Amazon.com named it the “Best Debut
Fiction of 2007” and ranked it No. 11 on its
Best Books of 2007 list. The Denver Post also
named The God of Animals one of the 50 best
books of 2007.
Kyle is a 1996 Central High School graduate
and an undergraduate alumna of Colorado
State University. She received a Master of
Fine Arts degree
from the University
of Montana writing
program. Her fiction
has appeared in The
Atlantic Monthly,
The Georgia Review,
Story
Quarterly,
Best New American
Voices 2005, and
Best American Short Stories 2007.
Kyle is the recipient of a 2005 Rona Jaffe
award given to women writers of exceptional
talent.
Her short story The Foaling Season, which
became the first chapter of The God of Animals,
won a 2004 National Magazine Award in
fiction. She lives in Missoula, Montana and
continues to write.
Former teacher remembers kyle
C
ristal
Loehr,
Fruita 8 - 9
School Principal,
agreed to share
some insight into
Aryn Kyle as
a high school student. Loehr
taught British Literature to
Kyle during her senior year at
Central High School.
truly written it. I hadn’t had
her in class before so I was
not familiar with her ability.
I took her essay to a veteran
colleague who had worked
with her previously to verify
that she had truly written it.
His response went something
like this, “Oh yeah, she wrote
it. She is the most talented
student I have had.”
What is something, other than
her writing talent, that stands
out to you when you think
about Aryn?
She was definitely one
of the class leaders and not
always in the most productive
way. She truly enjoyed her
senior year. She was versatile
when she was in high school.
She could play the class clown,
What was your first indication
the super intelligent
of her exceptional
talent?
“[Aryn] was versatile when she was nerd, or the drama
queen. It depended
The first time I in high school. She could play the
on the mood she was
knew she was gifted
class
clown,
the
super
intelligent
in. Aryn was always
was after I read the
nerd,
or
the
drama
queen.”
“theatrical” whether
first essay she turned
she was on stage,
– Cristal Loehr, Aryn Kyle’s
into me. When I read singing in the choir or
former
teacher
her essay, I wasn’t
sitting in her classes.
sure that she had
THE EVOLUTION OF ONE
2005
One Book kicks
off its first year
with the classic
Bless Me, Ultima
by Rudolfo
Anaya.
2006
The 2005
Newbery Medal
winner Kira Kira by Cynthia
Kadohata was
the year two star.
Events schedule
february
February 2, Central Library
•Horse trainer John Lyons speaks and
answers questions at 1 p.m. in the
Program Area.
February 13, Central Library
•Poetry Night features Western Story
Poems at 6 p.m. in the Flintstone Building.
February 16, Central Library
•Jen Reid from Horse Haven presents info
on the horse adoption and rescue program
at 1 p.m. in the Program Area.
2008
February 28, Library Branches
•Aryn Kyle visits selected Mesa County
Libraries branches for book signings.
•Aryn Kyle speaks at the Central Library
at 6 p.m. Q & A and book signing follow.
February 29, Mesa State College
•Aryn Kyle visits the Mesa State
College campus.
February 19, Library Branches
March
•Willyn Webb story time at 4:30 p.m.,
Fruita Branch and 7 p.m., Central Library.
February 21, Library Branches
•Willyn Webb story time at 4 p.m., Clifton
Branch and 6 p.m., Orchard Mesa Branch.
March 1, Central Library
February 27, Central Library
•Aryn Kyle visits School District 51
students.
•Aryn Kyle speaks at the Central
Library. Panel presentation starts at
1 p.m. Aryn Kyle presents at 2 p.m.
Q & A and book signing follow.
the horse expert
J
ohn Lyons knows horses. Lyons,
“America’s Most Trusted Horseman,” will
speak and answer questions at 1 p.m. on
February 2, in the Central Library Program
Area. Lyons will speak about building trust
between horse and rider as part of our One
Book, One Mesa County program.
Lyon’s extraordinary ability to inspire, teach others,
and lead has changed the horse industry. His teaching
methods have influenced every breed at every level of
performance.
Lyons is the most sought after trainer, clinician,
teacher and horseman in the industry today. Over 250
professional trainers have attended his certification
program in Colorado. Lyons and his son Josh also
travel around the country speaking on the horse training
techniques he has developed. For more information on
John Lyons visit www.mcpld.org.
Book Reviews
Daphne Durham
Amazon.com
Aryn Kyle’s haunting coming-of-age novel is
the kind of book that you want to share with
everyone you know. Lyrical, powerful, and
unforgettable, The God of Animals is our mustread.
Francine Prose
People Magazine
Kyle’s debut delivers all the fun of the books
about horses that you loved as a kid — but with
the added weight and seriousness of a novel
for grown-ups.
Publishers Weekly
Somber descriptions of Colorado’s weather
and landscape are called upon to underscore
themes of human isolation, jealousy and pain.
The coupling of female adolescence with the
stark West produces its share of harsh truths.
Dorman T. Shindler
The Denver Post
The God of Animals, a moving tale of loss
and love, is certainly an admirable debut by
a writer who holds the promise of one day
becoming one of the more significant names in
the American literary landscape.
BOOK, ONE MESA COUNTY
2007
New York Times
bestseller Marley
and Me by John
Grogan tugged at
the heart during year
three.
2008
Year four features the mature
work of Grand Junction raised
Aryn Kyle and her debut novel
The God of Animals. The
fictional town in the book is
based on Grand Junction.
Similar Readings
If you are short on time, want an easier, lighter read, or want
to involve younger children, try these alternative read-a-likes:
Foaling Season — Aryn Kyle
This short story appeared in The Atlantic Monthly before the author used
it as the opening chapter to The God of Animals. It begins with a young
girl’s death on a canal and continues to introduce the main characters
of the book. The story can be accessed through Mesa County Libraries’
website, www.mcpld.org/onebook.
Blue Moon — Marilyn Halvorson
One Book,
One Mesa County
2008 Committee Members
Steering Committee
Lois Becker, co-chair
Janine Rider, co-chair
Angie Allen
Donna Bettencourt
Betsy Brodak
Lynn Connaway
David Goe
Rachel Hanson
Laura Metteaur
Donna Miller
Barbara Roberts
Kathy Thomas
Associate Members
Mary Beth & Bernie Buescher
Shawna Bird
Liz Elam
Carrie Fleming
Jean Gauley
Mary Kay Hughes
Kristine Kampf
Susie Ladenburger
Ruth Leever
Lynn Lickers
Cathey Pabst
Kim Sutherland
Nancy Trimm
Library Director Eve Tallman
Contact One Book through the Mesa County
Libraries. 970-683-2435 or www.mcpld.org.
Shorter and lighter than The God of Animals, this novel
was written for younger teens. After buying a horse that
needs much training, Bobbie Jo has a struggle ahead and
develops an unlikely friendship with Cole. Like The God of
Animals, this novel focuses on a significant summer for a
teenage girl living on a horse ranch.
Teen Discussions
Hey Teens! Give us a piece of your
mind. Come to the Teen One Book, One
Mesa County discussion and share your
thoughts about this year’s selection The
God of Animals. You may also participate if
have read the alternate book, Blue Moon by
Marilyn Halvorson. Pizza will be served.
The Teen One Book, One Mesa County
discussion takes place at noon on Saturday,
January 23 at the Central Library.
Win with One Book
Show us your creative side and enter
one of the following One Book, One Mesa
County contests. Prizes range from gift
cards to lunch with Aryn Kyle.
Visit www.mcpld.org for entry forms and
complete rules. You can also call 683-2435.
Ar t Contest
Create a
Baby, the Poodle Cow Dog — Willyn Webb
Webb is a native Coloradan and this story is set on a
ranch in Western Colorado. Webb will be visiting Mesa
County Libraries throughout February.
work of
Check it out:
Book club in a bag
Mesa County Libraries is
offering you the chance to
start your very own book club.
Stop in at your neighborhood
branch library location and
check out Book Club in a Bag.
Book Club in a Bag includes
several copies of this year’s
One Book, One Mesa County
selection, The God of Animals
by Aryn Kyle. Discussion
questions, plus all other One
Book, One Mesa County
information is available online
at www.mcpld.org.
Share and discuss the book
with friends and family. Check
out Book Club in a Bag.
art
Grades 6 – 8
sign up for the art Contest
Essay Contest
What have
you got to
say?
Grades 9 – 12
Win a lunch date with aryn kyle
Photo Contest
Give us
your
best shot
Ages 16+
sign up for the Photo Contest
About One Book, One Mesa County
One Book, One Mesa County encourages
everyone in the community to read and discuss the
same book. All are invited to a variety of book events.
One Book, One Mesa County is a community
wide reading project brought to you by Mesa County
Libraries, The Daily Sentinel, KKCO, Mesa State
College Lectures and Forums, COBB and Associates,
Inc., and Barnes and Noble. It is modeled after a one
book/one community project that started in Seattle in
1998. They have been wildly successful in hundreds of
communities across the nation over the past nine years.
Here’s how it works: Everyone reads the same
book at the same time, and we come together to
discuss it and celebrate it with special events. We
have chosen The God of Animals as the book for 2008.
The late Washington Post writer Mary
McGrory described the purpose beautifully:
“The idea is that the community that opens
the same book closes it in greater harmony.”
www.mcpld.org