“Michigan State University has a tradition of selecting books that are more difficult and globally-focused than many other universities,” says Boo. “They’re doing books that open you up to realities you might not have been exposed to coming out of high school and entering college. It’s an honor.”

I caught up with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Katherine Boo, whose “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” is the 2012 selection in the MSU – East Lansing One Book One Community program.