P.S. Jones Middle School just wrapped up its first year of its One School, One Book literacy initiative. The school has plans for a three-year program, in which the entire school will read a book together each year of the three years.

This year, the school read Wonder by R. J. Palacios. The book tells the story of a young man with a severe facial deformity, who is entering middle school for the first time. It follows his trials and successes, and readers find themselves cheering for the young hero with each choice and new step that he takes. The novel was chosen to teach character traits like empathy, compassion and tolerance and helped bolster the school’s anti-bullying program.

Each day for 30 minutes, the school read the book and students and faculty participated in online and in-class coursework that taught students character education and life lessons portrayed in the readings.

The novel was well received among students and faculty at the school, and according to administration and faculty, it brought the school together and facilitated understanding and compassion toward those who are looked at as different than others.

Next year, the school will read “Home of the Brave.” The book follows a child immigrant from Africa, who has been sent to live with his aunt in Minnesota, and tells of his adaptation to his new environment, according to MacMillan Publishers website. Through reading the book, the school’s administration and teachers hope to discuss issues like global awareness and generate understanding of those from other cultures, who immigrate to the United States.

The school is currently trying to raise awareness for the program, as well as raise funds to meet the $10,000-tab of next year’s books. The school also asks anyone willing to donate funds to help with the purchase should contact the school.

This initiative is a worthy endeavor in the sense that it not only unifies the school in a single initiative, but it also teaches life lessons and character education traits that will be instilled in the students for life. Through reading last year’s book, alone, the school saw an increase in empathy, tolerance and understanding and decreased bullying, all of which were positives from the literacy initiative.

After purchasing the third book, the school will begin reading the first book again. This past year’s sixth-grade class will be the first class to have read all three books before moving on to high school. It is important for the school to continue this program so students yet to attend the middle school will benefit from the same life lessons.