“A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park is the selected book for the 2018-2019 school year’s “One Book, One School” program. The book was voted on at the end of the 2017-2018 school year by Oswego High School students and staff.
The purpose of the OHS “One Book, One School” program is to get students to read something that they normally would not have read, to learn something through that, and to have opportunities to collaborate. This program is a way to bring students together and, over the last few years, it has served as a “school-wide book club” that sparks conversation.
“ thought a school wide reading program would be very helpful to engage different readers and bring different people together,” Dr. Amy Howerton, head of the English department and leader of the program, explained.
“A Long Walk to Water” is told in alternating perspectives, one being from a young girl in 2008 and the other from a young boy in 1985. Nya, the girl, brings home water from a pond that is far away from her home. This is while the boy, Salva, becomes a refugee who searches around Africa for his missing family.
Some teachers are taking this thought-provoking novel and incorporating it into their lessons.
“ is using this with her civics class because it is about that civic involvement of how do we help other people, and that is what the novel is really about,” Howerton said, proud of the reach of the relatively new program.
As for the lasting impact of the program, Howerton hopes that it encourages students to remain learners and readers.
Upcoming events include:
- December 2018 – Stop by the LRC to sign the “I Read It!” poster if you have read the book. The goal is to have 50 readers before winter break.
- January 2019 – The second semester Day of Reading takes place in the LRC. Submit an in-house field trip form from Mr. Drew Mundsinger by Jan. 16 to participate in this event.
- April 3, 2019 – WE club, OBOS, and the Kinetic Wellness Department are bringing a National Day of Walking to OHS. Students will walk the fieldhouse during their gym periods while learning about topics such as water quality, water conservation, and water usage. By participating, students will be able to better understand what the characters had endure in the novel.
I’m Lizzy Sorensen, co-Editor-in-Chief for 42Fifty this year. This is my third year with the publication and I’m so excited to take on this leadership role.
Aside from journalism, I’m on the halftime and competitive dance teams and involved in several honor societies at OHS. Some of my favorite things are barbecue chicken pizza, working out, fantasy football/baseball teams, new sneakers, Target, iced coffee, and Criminal Minds.
