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

The Trumpet of the Swan

by E.B. White (1970)

E.B. White wrote three novels for children. They’re all classics, but only Charlotte’s Web is ubiquitously known. And that makes The Trumpet of the Swan an ideal first choice for One School, One Book. (Stuart Little is less ideal because many children will already be familiar with the recent film adaptation.)

The Trumpet of the Swan has three things going for it. The protagonist Sam Beaver, through whose patient, curious, observant eyes we learn to see and appreciate nature, quietly and privately. Louis the
Swan, born without a honk, he learns to communicate anyway through the aid of a trumpet. His adventures will take you from the wilds of Canada and Montana all the way to the Ritz Hotel in Boston, Mass. And of course, there is E.B. White’s sterling and matchless prose.

One virtue of The Trumpet of the Swan, making it ideal for One School, One Book, is that while Sam Beaver’s naturalistic curiosity and journaling will intrigue older listeners, Louis the Swan’s antics (at camp, at the zoo) will enthrall younger listeners. Parents will take vicarious pleasure when their children are thus intrigued and enthralled by E.B. White’s lesser known classic.

There are eight supplementary resources for E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan:

a sample letter home to parents
a sample reading schedule
a trivia bank
an answer key
a list of principal’s talking points
a list of suggested activities
a song list
suggested assmbly ideas

As a participating member of One School, One Book you may have access to all of these documents. Here are some samples: