One Book, One Batavia 2026
One Book, One Batavia is an annual community-wide reading program presented by the Batavia Public Library and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library.
This year’s adult selection: Funny Farm: My unexpected life with 600 rescue animals by Laurie Zaleski
This year’s teen selection: Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow
This year’s youth selection: Animal Rescue Friends by Jana Tropper
Adult selection:
Funny Farm: My unexpected life with 600 rescue animals
by Laurie Zaleski
Annie McNulty fled a nightmarish marriage, dragging three kids behind her and accumulating cast-off animals on the way. Her daughter Laurie was determined to make her mother's dream of running an animal recue come true. Funny Farm tells their story and that of the brave, incredible and adorable animals that they rescued.
Teen selection:
Gather
by Kenneth M. Cadow
A resourceful teenager in rural Vermont struggles to hold on to the family home while his mom recovers from addiction. Told in a wry, cautious first-person voice that meanders like a dog circling to be sure it’s safe to lie down, Kenneth M. Cadow’s resonant debut brings an emotional and ultimately hopeful story of one teen’s resilience in the face of unthinkable hardships.
Youth selection:
Animal Rescue Friends
by Jana Tropper
At the Animal Rescue Friends shelter, everyone is looking for a way to belong—kids and animals alike. The Animal Rescue Friends series is heartwarming and filled with humor and furry friendships.
About the Authors
Laurie Zaleski
Laurie Zaleski is the founder of the Funny Farm, a charitable organization located in Mizpah, New Jersey. Since 2000, the farm has welcomed all kinds of rescue animals. Laurie is also the founder, president and CEO of Art-Z Graphics. She has been named a New Jersey Heartland Hero, is listed in the 2019 Who’s Who of Professional Women, and has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for her work to save animals and educate the public about animal abuse.
Kenneth M. Cadow
Vermont author, Kenneth M. Cadow has spent a lot of time in the woods, in the wood shop, and working with young adults in schools as an art teacher, English Teacher, STEM teacher, wood shop teacher, and high school principal. He and his wife, Lisa, have three grown children, a border collie named Quinine, and a cat named Rosie. Gather is his first young adult novel.
Jana Tropper
M.S., CCC-SLP, is a writer, presenter, and speech-language pathologist at a public elementary school outside Chicago. When she's not writing, reading, or playing video games, she enjoys visiting schools and has presented as both an educator and author at several events including C2E2, LITapalooza, New York Comic Con, and San Diego Comic Con. She lives with her husband, Josh, and their own three rescue dogs: Ripley, Newt, and Sandy Lambert.
Upcoming Events
Help take care of the animals at Starfish Animal Rescue by bringing supplies to the lobby of the Library between March 29 at April 11, the date of Starfish's Adoptable Dog Meet & Greet.
Stop by the Youth Services Department and craft a critter. While supplies last.
This is a One Book, One Batavia program.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Come meet some rescue dogs looking for new homes! You can even start the adoption process with Starfish Animal Rescue in Geneva if you meet your new furry family member.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Jana Tropper, one of the authors of the Animal Rescue Friends series will be sharing her author story with us, doing dramatic readings from her graphic novels, signing books, and giving high fives.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Would you know what to do if your dog or cat had an accident or a health emergency? Dr. Nate Berg of Batavia Animal Clinic will explain the steps you can take and answer your questions. Ages 12 and up.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Learn what it takes to make a comic with our One Book, One Batavia author, Jana Tropper, with step-by-step instructions and guidance.
This is a One Book, One Batavia program.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Learn what it takes to make a comic with our One Book, One Batavia author, Jana Tropper, with step-by-step instructions and guidance.
This is a One Book, One Batavia program.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Author Laurie Zaleski will join us via Zoom to discuss her book Funny Farm with the audience.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.