One Book Read City 2024 was a triumph
Knox County Schools students had such fun reading and engaging with the One Book Read City 2024 book selection, Shelby & Watts: Tidepool Troubles.
Students listened to celebrity readers share the book, participated in a scavenger hunt, and even met author Ashlyn Anstee at the Children's Festival of Reading.
We can't wait to announce next year's book selection in May 2025!
Career exploration
Shelby & Watts: Tide Pool Troubles is a graphic novel in which a dynamic duo set out to solve an environmental mystery. Check out these careers in environmental science and graphic design! One Book Read City supports Knox County Schools’ mission to empower and prepare students for their future careers.
Marine Biologist
Recycling/Sustainability
Graphic Design
Park Ranger
Environmental Scientist
One Book Read City FAQ
All students K-5th grade in Knox County Elementary Schools. Books are also provided for all school staff so they can join in the book discussions with sutdents
Approximately 33,000 books are purchased and distributed annually to support One Book Read City. The cost per book is around $2.50, which means approximately $75,000 is spent on books alone. Additional donations of funds, prizes, or in-kind gifts enrich this literacy initiative through the two-week period.
This fun-filled community-wide event will not add to teacher workload. It provides engaging activities that support classroom reading. Teachers from each school participate in a quarterly information meeting where they share ideas and resources for the district. All teachers are provided with a website of lessons, videos, and activities for their students.
Multiple community events happen during the two-week period of One Book Read City festivities including celebrity guest videos, education activities, career exploration videos, and a community-wide scavenger hunt. All culminating with the Knox County Public Library's Children's Festival of Reading.
One Book Read City is only successful through community support. Individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations are welcome to provide in-kind contributions, donate prizes, and give financial support. Contact the Knox Education Foundation to discuss sponsorship and partnership opportuniites.
About Read City USA
Led by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, READ CITY USA is a collaborative initiative of Knox County Government, Knox County Public Library, Knox County Schools, and other community organizations to help all children learn to read early and well, thereby reaching their full potential in school and in life.
Read City USA programs include One Book Read City, Explorer Pass, and a host of community-wide reading challenges. Together, Read City participants have read millions of hours, modeling literacy and reading for pleasure as priorities in Knox County. Read more about the current Read City USA challenge.