1book 1community  Reading Program

Maybe He Just Likes You book cover and author image

Maybe He Just Likes You picked for 2022

Loudoun County Public Library is excited to announce the selection of Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee for the annual 1book 1community program. This award-winning story revolves around seventh-grader Mila, and is an absorbing, timely and relevant read about speaking up for yourself and finding your voice.

Free copies of Maybe He Just Likes You are available in branches beginning in September while supplies last, or you can access the eBook or audiobook instantly on our Libby app through Saturday, Nov. 5.

Meet the author

What: Presentation and Q&A with Barbara Dee
When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.
Where: Brambleton Middle School
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Admission is first-come, first-served.

About Maybe He Just Likes You

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop during a surprise birthday celebration. The next day, it’s another hug. A smirk. Comments. It all feels … weird. According to her friend Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice — the one place Mila could always escape. It doesn’t feel like flirting — so what is it?

Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find solace in a new place: karate class. Slowly, with the help of a fellow classmate, Mila learns how to stand her ground and how to respect others — and herself.

About 1book 1community

1book 1community is Loudoun County Public Library’s annual countywide reading program that promotes community dialogue and understanding through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.

The program is made possible by the Irwin Uran Gift Fund. The Irwin Uran Gift Fund was established in 1999 through a $1 million gift from the philanthropist Irwin Uran. Mr. Uran’s gift to the Loudoun County Public Library supports the purchase of materials and programs that “create better understanding between all people.” Irwin Uran died in 2007 leaving a legacy of humanitarian contributions that has affected the lives of thousands of people.

Book Clubs & workshops

Adult Book Discussions

Gum Spring LibraryThursday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Middleburg LibraryMonday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Rust Library, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1:30 p.m.
Cascades Library, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Rust LibraryWednesday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Lovettsville LibraryMonday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m.

Adult and Teen Book Discussions

Purcellville LibraryThursday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
Ashburn LibraryTuesday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

Teen Book Discussion

Gum Spring LibraryTuesday, Oct. 18, 5 p.m.

Grade 5-7 Book Club

Brambleton Library, Monday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Grade 4-5 Book Club

Cascades LibraryMonday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m.

Self-Defense Basics

Rust LibrarySaturday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.

Martial Arts Mania

Brambleton LibraryThursday, Sept. 22, 4 p.m.
Cascades LibraryThursday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m.

Healthy Boundaries for Better Relationships

Rust Library, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

Empowerment: Karate History and Lesson

Ashburn Library, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.

About Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee is the author of 12 middle grade novels, including Violets Are Blue, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet, My Life in the Fish Tank, Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal and Star-Crossed. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists. Barbara lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a sweet rescue hound named Ripley, in Westchester County, N.Y.

Previous titles

2021: Refugee by Alan Gratz
2020Front Desk by Kelly Yang
2019Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
2018All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
and Brendan Kiely
2017Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
2016Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

2015A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
2014Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
2013The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba
2012When the Emperor was Divine
by Julie Otsuka
2011Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
2010Bicycles: Love Poems by Nikki Giovanni

2009The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
2008Nothing But the Truth by Avi
2007The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2006The Giver by Lois Lowry
2005Witness by Karen Hesse
2004The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal