The mayor’s reading challenge, “Are You as Well Read as a High School Student,” is under way. The library ordered in several copies of the first book, “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. This is a novel Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons had appreciated from his secondary school days for its arguments that issues are not always black and white and that walking in someone else’s shoes can help us have empathy for others.

“The Giver” is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic utopian society in which careers are chosen for people at their coming-of-age ceremony when they are twelve in order to spare them any undue emotional trauma. In this perfect, politically correct society, Sameness is highly valued for its ability to erase emotion and create a sterile world free from disruption. In this world there is no color, but only a dull monochromatic sameness, a condition which often prompts adult residents to quietly disregard some of the laws instituted by their society.

The story’s narrator, Jonas, is a Twelve, who is singled out at his coming-of-age ceremony to be a Receiver of Memory, rather than to follow in his parent's career paths or choose a career of his own liking. The Receiver is the recipient of all memories before the Sameness began, passed down from an Elder known as The Giver. Jonas was chosen for his ability to see flashes of color, for instance, the red of an apple.

At first Jonas receives pleasant memories of sunsets and sailing, music, love and laughter, but soon through conversations with The Giver, he comes to understand that real life and learning can take place only through making one's own mistakes. When his father, a nurturer of children, has the task of “releasing” a baby that is not thriving by society's standards, Jonas steals some food, kidnaps the baby, and goes in search of the mythical Elsewhere.

Anyone who has read this book can recognize the same themes in “The Village” by M. Night Shymalan, Orwell’s “1984,” or other works by people who have tried to exercise their intellects in small, homogenous communities. A consistent theme in both works is the dystopia that can occur out of well-meaning plans to create a utopian society.

The mayor’s reading Challenge is a cooperative project between the Muskogee Public Library, the City of Muskogee, and Muskogee Public Schools using Muskogee High School’s required reading list. Helping with the challenge are Franklin Graphics and the Muskogee Phoenix. A complete book list can be found at the library, Walden Books, and the MPS Best Center. The challenge takes place between September 2008 and May 2009.

Read “The Giver” with your family and give them a great meal without a lot of fuss in the kitchen.

CHIPOTLE BARBECUED CHICKEN

You could make your own marinade, but this All Seasons marinade is so easy and flavorful.

1 cup All Seasons® Chipotle Citrus Marinade
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Rinse chicken breasts and place in a shallow glass baking dish.
Cover with chipotle citrus marinade and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Place in refrigerator if marinating longer.
Drain off almost all the marinade.

Preheat oven to 350° and bake chicken for one hour until tender.


MEXICAN-STYLE OVEN FRIES

6 Yukon Gold potatoes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Wash potatoes and peel, leaving a little of the skin on.
Cut into wedges.
Place 4 tablespoons olive oil in a metal baking pan.

Place potatoes in pan and coat with oil.
Sprinkle potatoes with seasonings.
Place in 350° oven with chicken and cook one hour as chicken bakes, turning and covering with foil after 30 minutes.

Serve with sour cream or sweet jalapeno catsup.


BROCCOLI SLAW

1 package Mann’s® broccoli slaw mix
2 ounces chopped walnuts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Maple Grove Farms® Blueberry Pomegranate Dressing
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Place broccoli slaw and walnuts in serving bowl.
Mix mayo, blueberry pomegranate dressing and sugar in small bowl.
Pour dressing over slaw and mix well, coating all.
Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or until ready to serve.


APPLE CHEDDAR WALNUT BREAD

2 cups self-rising flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup melted butter or salad oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled apples
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup milk

Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and nuts in a large bowl.
Mix remaining ingredients and add to flour mixture.
Stir just until blended.
Spoon batter into prepared pan and bake 60 to 70 minutes until done.

If loaf starts getting too done, cover with foil last 15 minutes of baking.
Cool on wire rack.