Mayor Jacobs, Community Leaders Kick-off Third Year of One Book Read City
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – More than 30,000 local elementary students gathered at schools across Knox County last week to learn the title of this year’s One Book Read City novel.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and KCS Superintendent Jon Rysewyk, during a special presentation at Lonsdale Elementary, unveiled the graphic novel, “Shelby and Watts, Tide Pool Troubles,” by Ashlyn Anstee.
“We’re excited to see this program grow,” said Mayor Jacobs. “In its third year, the whole community is behind this effort. It’s just a great way to end the school year and kick off a summer of reading.”
Through the support of Knox Education Foundation and a number of partners, every Knox County elementary school student will receive a copy of the book. Additionally, Anstee, will meet the students and sign books at Knox County Public Library’s Children’s Festival of Reading from 10 am to 3pm on May 18 at World’s Fair Park.
Along with reading, students K – Fifth grade will study and participate in community events that bring businesses, non-profits, and schools together.
Knox County School Board Chair Betsy Henderson said: “We are proud of the program we have built across Knox County. It truly helps foster the love of reading while building a strong community identity.”
“Shelby and Watts: Tide Pool Troubles” tells the story of two friends who love a good mystery and are determined to find out why seashells are vanishing. The story teaches deductive skills and scientific methods. Anstee is an award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including Dolly Parton Imagination Library Select “Hedgehog!”.
Rysewyk said One Book Read City is only successful through community support.
“We want to thank and recognize our Presenting Partner, Knox Education Foundation, Platinum Partners, The Boyd Foundation, and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, as well as our Gold Partners, Richard and Joni Maples, Comcast, D.R. Horton, ORNL Federal Credit Union, TDS Communications, Trane, and TVA Employees Credit Union for making this program possible to our 30,000 elementary students,” Rysewyk added.
