According to the district, the five books all fall under a common theme of “windows” and “mirrors.”
Officials with The Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) say the district will take its “One Book, One School” initiative in a new direction for the 2018–19 school year.
Instead of selecting one book for the entire school community to read, the district committee members selected five books for participants to choose from. These five books all fall under a common theme of “Windows & Mirrors.”
According to district Director of Curriculum and Instruction Heather Xenakis, the theme reflects the idea that, “books serve as windows and mirrors for their readers: windows to see into the lives of others and mirrors to reflect similar qualities in specific characters and to reflect on who we are.”
She said this coming school year marks the ninth for the “One Book” program in the LRHSD.
According to officials, the “One Book” program typically brings students, staff, families and even members of the community together in reading and discussing the same book.
Although the program will offer participants different books next year, officials say it will still unite readers in discussions and activities that hit on common topics — such as overcoming adversity — in all five texts.
The district will also challenge all readers to identify the characters, emotions or moments that reflect or offer a glimpse into their own lives.
Participants may select from among these five books:
- “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
- “The Running Dream” by Wendelin Van Draanen
- “Michael Vey, the Prisoner of Cell 25” by Richard Paul Evans
- “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
- “Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green
“The ‘One Book’ program annually serves as an opportunity to build community through shared learning experiences that give participants an in-depth look into a particular subject matter,” Superintendent Carol Birnbohm said. “We predict important and engaging discussions and conversations next year when participants focus first and foremost on learning about themselves. We anticipate that readers will experience personal growth, which in turn, will fortify our entire school community.”
The district will also hold a book fair for students, staff, parents and community members as part of the kick-off for “One Book, One Theme” at Barnes and Noble in Marlton during the weekend of June 9 and June 10. In addition to a student art display, bands from the district’s schools will perform, and the Storm Robotics team will offer demonstrations.
