The One Community One Book program wants to get families reading together, and 1,100 families in the area will be reading Slacker by Gordon Korman over the month of January. School families in St. Paul鈥檚, Columbia, Yorkdale, Dr. Brass, MC Knoll, St. Michael鈥檚 and Invermay Schools will be taking part in the program.
Slacker takes place from the perspective of a young man who is concerned with playing video games in the basement and little else, with a jolt to the system coming when the fire department has to intervene after dinner starts on fire.
St. Paul鈥檚 School has participated in One School, One Book for the past 11 years, and principal Quinn Haider said it鈥檚 an integral part of what they do at the school, and they鈥檙e happy to see more schools on board.
鈥淎s an educator, I think it鈥檚 wonderful because the more opportunities we provide for not only students but for families to engage in literacy and engage in learning together the better. I think it鈥檚 just wonderful how it鈥檚 growing.鈥�
The book selection involves the different schools involved working together to make the final choice, explained Haider.
鈥淲e always do our best to choose books that will appeal to kids and families.鈥�
Even after 11 years of the program, it鈥檚 still possible to have firsts. Korman is the first Canadian author that St. Paul鈥檚 has read for the program. He鈥檚 also an author with a lengthy career which began when he was 12, or about the age of many students who will be reading his book. Slacker was written much more recently, inspired by Korman鈥檚 son.
鈥淔inding role models and inspiration for kids is always important, and if we snag a few kids that we normally wouldn鈥檛, that鈥檚 an added bonus.鈥�
The Painted Hand Casino, Old Dutch Saskatchewan Literacy Network and SaskTel have sponsored the program this year, and Haider thanks them for their support.
At St. Paul鈥檚, the month will end with a Family Literacy Night on Jan. 30.
