The idea of MSU's "One Book, One Community" requires freshmen to read one book to unite the students and East Lansing residents by having a common interest, but some professors and students differ on the value of the annual program.

This year's book assignment, Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner," is mandatory for all freshmen and encourages East Lansing residents to participate in book-related events from Aug. 24-Sept. 30.

Diana Malouf, a visiting assistant professor for the Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures department, included "The Kite Runner" in required readings for her sections of WRA 125, The American Ethnic and Racial Experience, because "it fit very well with my class," she said. The course is the only at MSU to require the reading because of its focus on the Arab community, she said.

The program works because it chooses books people would want to read and have educational value as well, Malouf said.

"It is very timely because we are at war in Afghanistan, and it is always in the news," she said. She encouraged her students to attend last Wednesday's event and has required her students to attend another "One Book, One Community" event for their paper.

Some students don't think the program should be mandatory because most classes do not require the book.

No-preference freshman Brian Keehner feels that reading a book right before classes begin is a bad idea.

"It was a great book, but I do not feel that it should be mandatory," Keehner said. "We have classes to get ready for."

Keehner did not know about any of the events that occurred, but knew people who went to some of the discussions. "I heard that the discussions were not worth going to."

Criminal justice junior Nick Sabo feels that something else should be done during Welcome Week to bring all the students together and make all the programs known. "Everyone was confused about what to do with the book and what programs to go to."

When Sabo was required to read "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley as part of the program in 2003, he said he did not think the program was useful. But in later classes, it came in handy.

"Once I got up here, I was frustrated that it was pointless," Sabo said. "I did not know about any of the events they had going on. Now, it does not seem as pointless now because I have to read it for IAH 206, so I am glad I already read it. I might read it again just because that was two years ago."

He said he was also surprised to learn he was interested in the book.

"I read all of the book even though I did not want to," Sabo said. "Once I started reading it I got into it."

Kate McGormley, the project manager of "One Book, One Community," said the program is a good way to get students thinking academically.

"We hope the program will get MSU students interested into the community even though it is not required in classes," McGormley said. "We are aiming to make students feel it is worth their while."

This year's events have been and will continue to be a big success, she said.

"Last Wednesday, the author of the book came to speak to everyone about the book, and it was great. We had so many people that we actually had to turn people away."

More information about the program that can be found at onebook.msu.edu.