UF's Common Reading Program revealed the title of its required book for freshman on Wednesday on the Plaza of the Americas.
This year the committee of 20 students, faculty and staff chose "The Devil's Highway" by Luis Alberto Urrea, the true story of 26 illegal immigrants who cross the Mexican border and get lost in the Arizona desert.
The Common Reading Program has been distributing books to incoming freshmen at Preview since 2007, and has incorporated the titles into English, engineering and first-year Florida classes.
"We want to engage students in discussion about service, the privileges they have and social responsibility," said Leslie A. Hahn, assistant director of New Student Programs.
The program is also planning events for the fall that will focus on the book, including panel discussions, faculty lectures, movie screenings and a visit by the author.
