The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific Proclaimed the 2025 One Book One Nebraska

On Jan. 7, 2025 Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation honoring 2025 One Book One Nebraska: The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific (Revell, 2023) by Marcus Brotherton, and Tosca Lee. Rebecca Faber, Nebraska Center for the Book (NCB) Board member spoke about the program and selection. The Long March Home is a historical fiction novel inspired by true stories of friendship, sacrifice, and hope on the Bataan Death March. It is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope. The full proclamation can be viewed on the One Book One Nebraska webpages at http://onebook.nebraska.gov.

The One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Library Commission, and Humanities Nebraska is entering its twenty-first year. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events to encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities are available at http://onebook.nebraska.gov. The author, Tosca Lee, is available for speaking events, writing clinics, and book discussions her website contact form.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-“bringing together people and information.”