Park Avenue students united by two fun literacy initiatives

On winter evenings across Park Avenue Elementary School, the same story is unfolding in living rooms, at kitchen tables, and during bedtime routines. From nightly chapters at home to morning trivia announcements in school, the One Book, One School program has turned a single book into a shared experience connecting classrooms, families, and the entire school community.

One Book, One School is a fun and engaging literacy initiative in which every family receives a copy of the same book and is invited to read it together. Each night, families follow a shared reading schedule, sitting down to read or listen to the story, while students participate in trivia and discussions that bring the book to life.

“It’s an important program because it brings our whole school community together through reading and books and makes important connections between what’s happening at home and what’s happening in school,” said Library Media Specialist Matt Spicehandler, who has led the program at Park Avenue alongside the PTA for the past three years.

This year’s book selection, Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro, follows a curious girl named Zoey, who discovers magical animals in need of help on her family’s farm. With her clever cat Sassafras, she uses the scientific method to investigate and care for a mysterious creature – blending magic, science, and problem-solving in a way that resonates with readers across many age ranges.

Students of all ages quickly connected with the story’s imaginative elements.

“My favorite part is when they go to the lake and teach [the dragon] Marshmallow how to fish, because I love fishing,” shared second grader Gus Mangold.

Students agreed that Marshmallow’s shiny blue coloring was another relatable feature.

“Blue’s my favorite color, too,” fourth grader Logan Garcia shared. “Cyan, specifically.”

“It’s very shiny,” second grader Brynley LaPenna added.

The book is the first of nine in a series and was selected by Mr. Spicehandler, who alternates the selection each year with the librarian at Sanfordville Elementary School. Together, they begin with a curated list of recommended titles from the national One Book, One School program, then narrow their choice based on several key factors.

“It’s always tricky to find a book that’s going to be engaging for both kindergartners and fourth graders,” he explained. “So we can’t pick like a 400-page book – as much as either of us would love that.”

Length, content, and accessibility all play a role – but so does longevity.

“I like to pick a classic and introduce kids to books that have been around a long time,” he said. “But this year’s book is the first in a series.”

As Mr. Spicehandler explained, that series element is intentional and designed to spark continued reading long after the program ends.

“It’s really easy for them to be like, ‘Oh, well, I liked this Zoey and Sassafras that I had to read for school. Now that I know I like that, I can go to the library and get book two, book three…’ It kind of hooks kids into reading past the program.”

Consider Mr. Spicehandler’s mission: accomplished.

Just recently, Mr. Spicehandler received a thank-you email from the Albert Wisner Library for giving them a heads-up on this year’s selection.

“They ordered a bunch of the rest of the series, and they said they’ve been really flying off the shelves since the program started,” he shared.

While One Book, One School is implemented nationally, Park Avenue adds its own creative spin.

The program kicks off each year with either an assembly or a fun, themed video designed to generate excitement. This year, staff helped bring the story to life through a kickoff video that introduced students to the book’s characters and themes.

For the past three years, Mr. Spicehandler has also collaborated with teachers, PTA members, and community volunteers to record nightly chapter read-aloud videos, giving students the option to listen along from home.

These videos, along with nightly trivia questions, are available on the Park Avenue Library Media Center website and Google Classroom, ensuring every household can participate, even on busy evenings.

This year, a Spanish-language version of the read-alouds debuted, expanding access for Spanish-speaking households.

Following each chapter, students answer trivia questions tied to the reading. Responses are submitted online, and answers are revealed the next day during morning announcements, turning literacy into a schoolwide daily event.

To complement the story, participants also received a themed gift, generously provided by the PTA. This year, students were given a science journal modeled after Zoey’s notebook, complete with a guide outlining the scientific method inside the cover.

Brynley has been using hers to record her reading minutes for the Read-A-Thon, another literacy initiative hosted by the Park Avenue PTA.

Students have embraced the program in a variety of ways, from reading independently to sharing the experience with family members.

Siblings Gus and Robin Mangold have been reading together each night, with Gus enjoying the opportunity to read to his younger sister, who is in kindergarten.

Meanwhile, Brynley said she enjoys watching the videos and following along with familiar faces from the Park Avenue community – including Mr. Spicehandler’s daughter, Juniper, who was nominated by teachers to read the final chapter as a fourth grader preparing for middle school next year.

Fourth graders Logan Garcia and Penelope Scott shared that they prefer reading at their own pace.

“I go for the book over videos, so I can read at my own pace and go back to other parts,” Logan said.

Both One Book, One School and the Read-A-Thon have incentivized continued reading and helped students build it into their daily routines.

“I read every day,” Brynley shared.

Gus said he likes to get ready for school and then crawl back into bed to read until it’s time to leave.

Brynley reads for 30 minutes each afternoon, and even more on weekends, with both she and Gus recording more than 1,000 minutes during this year’s Read-A-Thon.

In fact, Brynley achieved a grand total of 3,148 minutes, earning the second place spot in the second grade division. 

Penelope said she logged more than 1,700 minutes, exploring everything from nonfiction titles about the world’s most dangerous animals to fiction favorites like Dog Man.

The combined impact of One Book, One School and the Read-A-Thon has been significant.

This year’s Read-A-Thon wrapped up with Park Avenue students logging 211,429 total minutes read, raising more than $28,000, with over 75% of students participating.

Together, the programs encourage students to build reading into their routines while fostering collaboration, communication, and goal-setting. Through shared storytelling, students connect with one another, challenge themselves to grow, and develop a lifelong appreciation for reading — hallmarks of Warwick Valley’s Portrait of a Graduate.

And much like the book’s protagonist, Zoey, Park Avenue students are discovering that when curiosity and imagination lead the way, stories can open doors to endless knowledge and possibility.