Garden City High School students and faculty members came together through literature for the seventh annual ‘One School, One Book’ program. Coordinated by librarian Margaux Calemmo, this year’s initiative featured the contemporary mystery thriller The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. The gathering was the culminating event of an ongoing process that began with student and staff voting on the novel to read in December 2023. The final culminating event featured small group “chat station” discussions about the themes of the novel and unwinding the puzzles and mental traps put forth by the author.
Guided by their teacher facilitators from all subject areas, students shared their perspectives on the character development and themes of the novel. Emphasis was placed on the contemporary aspects of the book, as this year’s selection was a departure from the historical fiction that has often been chosen as the winning title. Students also shared their insights into the author’s creative use of puzzles and twisted, winding riddles to solve the mystery of the main character’s unexpected fortune as a teenage heiress that inherited a fortune from a deceased billionaire.
‘One School, One Book’ is always a popular event at Garden City High School, with an outstanding turnout. Planning by committee began in the fall and utilizing student voice and choice, students voted on their choice of two titles in December with The Inheritance Games emerging as the winner. The district is thankful to the PTA for donating paperback copies of the book, and the Garden City Public Library, which made print, electronic and audiobook versions available.
— Submitted by Garden City Public Schools
