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

Trivia Bank

Use these questions to select your Daily Trivia Questions. Use the leftovers, if desired, to create a Trivia Contest after you’ve finished the book.

Chapter 1 – Tucker

1. What is Tucker’s word for collecting?
A: ‘scrounging’

2. What kind of cookie was Tucker eating when we first meet him?
A: a Lorna Doone shortbread cookie

3. (As a class?) What’s on the shelf on one side of the newsstand?
A: second hand radio; Kleenex; matches; cash register; alarm clock

Chapter 11 – The Jinx

30. When Mama Bellini hears Chester’s “singing” – and realizes it his him – she says…what?
A: “Play some more.

31. When Chester plays “Come Back to Sorrento” it makes her think of…what?
A: being courted by Mr. Bellini in Naples

32. Who says, “No cricketer who plays ‘Torn a Sorrento’ so beautifully could possibly start a fire”?
A: Mama Bellini

Chapter 12 – Mr. Smedley

33. The first time Mr. Smedley hears Chester play, he observes that Chester is playing a perfect middle C note. The second time, when Chester plays a scale, he notes that Chester has…’what’? (two words)
A: perfect pitch
[Note: He later praises Chester's "phrasing" too.]

34. (for test) Who is the only other person Mr. Smedley has encountered who had perfect pitch?
A: soprano Arabella Hefflefinger

35. After hearing Chester play Mr. Smedley writes a letter to the music editor of what publication?
A: The New York Times

36. Who wrote, “Rejoice, Oh, New Yorkers – for a musical miracle has come to our city”?
A: Horatio P. Smedley

Chapter 13 – Fame

37. Who does Chester consider to be his “manager”?
A: Tucker Mouse

38. What is the first piece Chester plays the morning after Mr. Smedley’s letter appears in The New York Times?
A: “A Little Night Music”

39. How many people were late to work the first morning Chester played for the public?
A: 783

40. The arrival of fall makes Chester feel wistful about his home. One of these harbingers of fall is a leaf that blows into Grand Central Station. The leaf came from….here?
A: New Jersey

Chapter 14 – Orpheus

41. Who says, “You don’t feel like playing? That’s like the sun saying, ‘I don’t feel like shining’”?
A: Tucker Mouse

42. What does Chester mean when he says, “I’m feeling Septemberish”?
A: doesn’t want to play; wants to be in Connecticut, the country, back home, the fall

43. Who are the folks Chester’s music gives pleasure to in Connecticut?
A: woodchucks, pheasants, ducks, rabbits, bullfrogs, foxes

44. T/F: Times Square was as still as a meadow during Chester’s final concert.
A: True

Chapter 15 - The Meadow

45. What souvenir does Chester take w/ him from his time in New York?
A: the tiny silver bell from his pagoda

46. What does Tucker Mouse pack for Chester’s lunch on the train?
A: a piece of steak sandwich and a chocolate cookie

47. How does Mario know that Chester is gone for good and won’t come back?
A: he notices the bell is gone

48. T/F When Mario learns that Chester has gone for good – he says, “I’m glad.”
A: True