The University of Colorado at Boulder is taking an active part in "One Book, One Boulder," a community-wide reading program aimed at bringing Boulder together through the reading and discussion of a single book, Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me, Ultima."

Gail Siegel, director of the Office of Community Relations, is coordinating CU-Boulder's activities, including campus book groups for discussion of the novel.

"We're encouraging everyone to pick up the book and start reading," said Siegel. "Paperback copies are available at the Boulder Public Library, local book stores and the CU Book Store. It's widely available in English and Spanish, including audio book versions, and in several other languages."

First published in 1972, "Bless Me, Ultima" is the story of a young boy's ascent to maturity and his ongoing relationship with an aging folk healer. The classic coming of age story set in 1940s New Mexico was chosen from a list of 180 nominated books by representatives from the Boulder Public Library, the Daily Camera, CU-Boulder, local schools and the City of Boulder

"Bless Me, Ultima" is required reading at many local high schools and is included in American Literature curriculums at CU-Boulder and other area colleges and universities. It sometimes is considered part of a trilogy along with Anaya's novels, "Heart of Azlan" and "Tortuga." Anaya is the author of more than 20 additional books, including six for children.

In 2001, Anaya received the Center of the American West's Wallace Stegner award, presented each year to an individual who has made a sustained contribution to the cultural identity of the West through literature, art, history, lore or understanding of the West.

Activities will culminate April 21-23 with a number of events at which Anaya will appear. In addition to a welcome dinner and family events, Anaya will take part in a panel discussion of the book on Friday, April 22. The panel will include representatives from CU-Boulder.

For more information call Gail Siegel at (303) 492-7084 or Carol Heepke, Special Programs coordinator at the Boulder Public Library, (303) 441-3196 or visit the web site at www.boulder.lib.co.us/survey/info.htm.