First, we’re having a GREAT time with the One School-One Book program…. Getting “thank you” notes from parents already about how it’s “forcing” some family reading time that they seemed to have lost over the years.
— Paul Marinko - Principal at St. Paul's Lutheran School - Fort Wayne, IN
Since last spring, our entire school has excitedly embraced the One School, One Book Program. We will soon begin our spring selection: A Cricket in Times Square -- the third book we've adopted since the spring of 2010!

We are so thrilled with the positive impact this program has had on our students, families, and staff
— Laurie LaRue - First Grade Teacher at Edgewood School - Bristol, CT
I think the OSOB program is brilliant. My seven year-old attends Orleans Elementary in Massachusetts and they (we) are reading Masterpiece. Since the grades levels range from one to five at this school, finding a book to suit all is difficult. My daughter can follow the big picture somewhat but we have to reinforce what we’ve read because it’s a lot to take in for her.
— Glenn Krzeminski - Parent of student at Orleans Elementary - Orleans, MA
The One District, One Book program promoted by Read To Them...is a powerful way to systemically address and promote a culture of literacy throughout the entire school system.

My school actually adopted a hamster and even used it as “pet therapy” for many of the behaviorally challenged children in our school.
— Kenny Moles of West Virginia

One School, One Book

One School, One Book is a program designed to create a shared reading experience within a single elementary school community. A chapter book is chosen, every family in the elementary school receives a copy, and every family reads that book at home over the course of a single month. Activities at school coordinate, promote and enrich the shared reading experience.

“ With 25 years in the teaching arena, I’ve never come across an all encompassing program that was easy to plan, provide directives for, and implement – while simultaneously delivering great value. This was an effective school-wide book club, utilizing a simple concept that demonstrated amazing results! ”

Katie Poe, Principal, Timmons Elementary School. Chagrin Falls, Ohio

About the Program

The program is modelled after All City Reads that have been done across the United States, from Seattle and Chicago to Richmond, VA. The program encourages reading together at home by enabling every family and by inspiring them with a shared experience.

The best titles for the program are those rare books that can be understood by early readers and yet still interest experienced readers. For example, E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan. Or Lynne Reid Banks’ The Indian in the Cupboard.

Schools participating in the program can do a variety of things at school to heighten and promote interest in and discussion of the book, from school-wide assemblies to school-wide art and writing contests. Typically though, most schools rely on a daily trivia question, usually read by the principal to the whole school in the morning. This simple technique creates daily awareness of the book, and encourages in students deep, attentive, and personally gratifying listening habits. Students take pride in being in command of the book’s details and "owning" the material.

Read To Them supplies specific content to enable your school to implement the program – introductory materials to explain the program to your community, and individual books packets with resources specific to each title. Read To Them can also help you order copies of each title at a nicely discounted rate. And when you become a participating OSOB member, you will be in personal touch with our OSOB Director, Bruce Coffey, who will act as your personal consultant so you can tailor and refine the program to fit your school’s specific environment and needs.