MCC Reads
Montcalm Community College Library presents MCC Reads. The program aims to reach our community of readers, in Montcalm County and at MCC, to inspire, uplift, and enlighten by reading books that touch the hearts and minds our readers, celebrate literature and encourage library use.
MCC Reads is sponsored by Montcalm Community College and the MCC Foundation.
2026 Book Selection
Bath Massacre: America's Frist School Bombing by Arnie Bernstein
On May 18, 1927, the small town of Bath, Michigan, was forever changed when Andrew Kehoe set off a cache of explosives concealed in the basement of the local school. Thirty-eight children and six adults were dead, among them Kehoe, who had literally blown himself to bits by setting off a dynamite charge in his car. The next day, on Kehoe's farm, what was left of his wife---burned beyond recognition after Kehoe set his property and buildings ablaze---was found tied to a handcart, her skull crushed. With seemingly endless stories of school violence and suicide bombers filling today's headlines, Bath Massacre serves as a reminder that terrorism and large-scale murder are nothing new.
Read-a-like Recommendations
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
Columbine by Dave Cullen
The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy by Stewart O'Nan
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
Book Discussion Questions
What did you learn about 1920s rural America from this book?
How did the social and economic conditions of the time contribute to the tragedy?
How does the Bath School bombing challenge the perception that mass violence is a modern phenomenon?
What insights does the book provide into Andrew Kehoe’s personality and motivations?
Do you think the warning signs were missed or misunderstood?
How does Bernstein portray Kehoe—as a villain, a product of his environment, or something else?
How did the Bath community respond in the aftermath of the bombing?
What does this say about resilience and collective grief?
Were there any individuals or groups who stood out in their response to the tragedy?
How effective is Bernstein’s narrative style in conveying the horror and emotional weight of the event?
Did the book feel more like a historical account or a true crime story?
How did that affect your reading experience?
What parallels can you draw between the Bath Massacre and more recent school tragedies?
How can understanding this event help inform current discussions about school safety and mental health?
Should stories like this be more widely taught or discussed in schools? Why or why not?
What responsibilities do authors and readers have when engaging with traumatic historical events?