School District might unite in reading same classic book

Classic literary characters such as the mysterious recluse Boo Radley or a message-spinning spider could soon be on the agenda of the Clark County School Board.

The board is considering adopting a classic book, such as "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Charlotte's Web," for a community reading program that's known generically throughout the country as One Book, One City.

The idea is to encourage everyone to read the same book over the same time period, such as September through January, "or before I leave the board," joked term-limited School Board member Sheila Moulton.

She proposed the idea at a Wednesday workshop as a way to unite the community.

"I just think it would bring the community together and engage us," Moulton said. "We're focusing on what's most important -- reading."

The book could even liven up board meetings.

"We could read a paragraph at the beginning of our board meetings if we wanted to," Moulton said.

She wants the reading program to culminate in a community-wide celebration, perhaps with a showing of a movie version of the book.

Linda Young, a School Board member, said the lesson should be that reading is "fun."

Moulton said she would be willing to donate a hundred books to the cause. She thinks donations would limit any cost to the district.

Paperbacks could be distributed at parent meetings and encouraged to be passed on to others when finished.

Book lovers who want to nominate their favorite novel should contact board members soon because they plan to select a book in August.

Moulton, who grew up on a farm "without television," said she loves Mark Twain's tale of mistaken identities, "The Prince and Pauper." Her mother read her the book. Now she's pleased that there's a new movie version that's "a favorite with the little people."

The movie made her think "these classics don't go away," she said.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.