For the third year, community members are invited to join elementary students this fall in a shared reading experience. “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies is the selection for Great Bend’s 2017-2018 “One District One Book” literacy program.
“It’s a story about family, siblings and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Tricia Reiser, federal programs director at USD 428.
One District One Book started two years with the book, “The World According to Humphrey.” Last year’s book was “The One and Only Ivan.” Students in grades K-6 were given books to take home and keep, and to read with a family member.
“The Lemonade War” caught the attention of the selection committee the first year, Reiser said. When members voted on their selection, it was a close second to “Humphrey.”
“One reason (“The Lemonade War”) was selected is because it is available in English and Spanish,” she said. “It also is the first book in a series of books just like ‘Humphrey’ and we hope that if kids like the first book then they are more eager to read the rest of the books in the series.”
Quoting Children’s Literature magazine, Reiser said the story “effectively combines math (especially money), economics and marketing to make a suspenseful, subtly educational plot that goes down as easily as a cool glass of lemonade in August.”
This fall, the community will again be invited to read along with the students. The local library and businesses will get involved with special activities.
Reiser said “The Lemonade War” is a fun book that many other districts have read for their One Book program. “The Board of Education believes that our One District One Book program is successful in promoting family literacy. They are excited about its success and want to continue to promote it,” she said.
Phil Heeke, Park School principal, and Trish McKinley, Great Bend Public Library children’s librarian, will lead the committee. Anyone interested in serving on a committee may send email to phil.heeke@usd428.net.