"One book" programs encourage reading by inviting communities to come together to discuss one book - or, in this case, one of four different books!  Kids Read the Same Book is coordinated by local public libraries and educators.

2007 Kids Read the Same Book titles      2007 Brochure      Previous Years' Titles

2007 The Big Read title      History     Visit the Kids Read the Same Book website

2007 Kids Read the Same Book

Program schedule:   Boise Public Library   All area libraries

Calling all kids!  Kids are invited to read one of these three books and to participate in book discussions, gaming nights, “pirate” storytimes, scavenger hunts and other events at local public libraries.  Check out this year's award-winning titles:

Heir Apparent, by Vivian Vande Velde (young adult readers);

Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke (middle readers); and

How I Became a Pirate, by Melinda Long; illustrated by David Shannon (young readers). 

2007 The Big Read (Adults)

For adults and older teens, the Log Cabin Literary Center is presenting A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, under a grant for The Big Read, a national initiative from the National Endowment of the Arts.  Like Read the Same Book, this program encourages literary reading by inviting communities to come together to read and discuss one book.  Check www.thecabinidaho.org for upcoming news on the project.

Previous Same Book - Descriptions & Discussion Questions

• Read the Same Book 2006

• Read the Same Book 2005
• Read the Same Book 2004
• Read the Same Book 2003
• Read the Same Book 2002
• Read the Same Book 2001

 

History of "Read the Same Book"

Communities across the U.S. have discovered that choosing a book to read as a city brings together friends and strangers to discuss good literature and provocative ideas. Idaho Statesman writer Dan Popkey introduced the concept to Boise in late 2000, modeled after Seattle's citywide reading initiative.

Boise began its program in 2001 with the book Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson. In subsequent years, children’s titles were added to the program, so that the whole family could participate. 

Books are chosen by a committee that includes representatives from local libraries, plus educators, writers and readers of all ages.  The committee chooses a book based on literary merit and relevance to local readers.

As you and your family read a book, we encourage you to talk about it with friends and neighbors, and to attend related programs in the community.  We hope you’ll find it an avenue for exploring new ideas and making new reading friends. 

Last Updated: 02/06/2008