THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF

HENRIETTA LACKS

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

COMMON READ 2021

“Skloot narrates the science lucidly, tracks the racial politics of medicine thoughtfully, and

tells the Lacks family’s often painful history with grace ... Science writing is often just about

“the facts.” Skloot’s book, her first, is far deeper, braver and more wonderful ... Made my

hair stand on end.”

~Lisa Margonelli, The New York Times Book Review

BY:

REBECCA

SKLOOT

Each year a book is chosen for all first-year students to read during the summer before their arrival on

Messiah's campus. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to share in a

common academic experience that will be complemented by in-class and residence hall discussion after

arriving on campus. This year we are thrilled to announce that Rebecca Skloot's award winning book The

Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks will be read by the incoming class of 2021. This book recovers the nearly-

forgotten life of Henrietta Lacks whose cells have been some of the most important tools in modern medicine

for over 70 years. Drawing on rigorous research and personal relationships with members of the Lacks family,

Rebecca Skloot has written a book that touches on themes of faith, family, healthcare, racism, classism,

immortality, reconciliation, and so much more.

HAPPENINGS:

A COMMON READING CONVOCATION WILL BE

HELD IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE DATES TO BE

DETERMINED IN AUGUST. ALL FIRST-YEAR

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND.

ALL FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR COURSES WILL

INCORPORATE SEVERAL CLASS PERIODS OF

DISCUSSION DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS.

STUDENTS WILL ALSO COMPLETE A GRADED

ASSIGNMENT BASED ON THE TEXT.

Dr. Kris Hansen-Kieffer,

Vice Provost for Student Success

Dr. Kate Oswald Wilkins,

Assistant Dean of General

Education

As a first-year student, you are required to read this book during the summer before arriving on campus in the fall. The great news is that all first-year students are automatically opted-in to the Campus Store's textbook subscription service, Textbook Butler (soon to be called Slingshot), with rental as your default preference. That means that, if you do nothing, your book will be delivered straight to your door in July and billed to your Messiah tuition account. How awesome is that?!

Other required materials for your fall classes will be delivered to your dorm (or, if you are a commuter, available for pick-up at the Campus Store) before your classes start.

Read more about our new program HERE or follow the Campus Store on Instagram at @messiahcampusstore.

As soon as you are registered for classes, you will be able to log-in to your personal student portal with your Messiah SSO and adjust your delivery and textbook preferences HERE. Happy reading!

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

How do you understand the

intersection of faith and science in

Skloot's narrative?

How does Skloot's position as a

journalist impact her perspective on the

various characters and events of the

text?

How do you begin to consider the

medical and social ethics of Henrietta's

experience?