Last Friday, May 1, the gym at Brickey McCloud Elementary School was packed with hundreds of excited students waiting for One Book Read City’s big reveal. Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyck joined the celebration to announce this year’s title: Wind Riders: Search for the Scarlet Macaws by Jen Marlin.

It was a big moment—and a fitting way to wrap up the school year. About 30,000 students across Knox County received their own gift copy of the book.

Scarlet macaws everywhere will be glad of it. The story follows two children who set out on an adventure aboard a magical sailboat that carries them to an unknown port—this one deep in the rainforest—where their mission is to save the endangered scarlet macaw.

The magic of One Book Read City lies in the shared experience of reading together. It’s no wonder book clubs are so popular, and this may be the biggest book club in the state. Schools go all in: creating activities inspired by the plot, setting aside time to read together, and sending students on an optional community scavenger hunt. Several schools will even host the author. And on May 16, everyone can meet her at the Knox County Public Library’s Children’s Festival of Reading in World’s Fair Park.

Now here’s a riddle: what do Wind Riders, American Girl, and Mine Craft have in common? The same author!  It can be a little confusing, but the author uses pen names. She writes the Wind Riders series as Jen Marlin, publishes other children’s books—including titles for the American Girl series—under her real name, Erin Falligant, and uses the name Greyson Mann for her Minecraft books. She breaks it all down in a video explaining how and why she writes under multiple names.

Now in its fifth year, One Book Read City has placed more than 140,000 books into the hands of Knox County elementary students. This impactful program is made possible through a strong partnership between Knox County Government, Knox County Public Library, Knox Education Foundation, and the many sponsors and community partners who continue to support its success year after year.

 

Mary Pom Claiborne is assistant director for marketing, communications and development for Knox County Public Library.

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