'One Book, One City' will promote reading, mayor says
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Dan Kuperberg

The city of Agoura Hills has joined a growing trend in California to promote reading, conversation and a closer family connection.

"One City, One Book" was initiated in 1998 by the Washington Center for the Book. Mayor Dan Kuperberg wants to put the program to work in Agoura Hills.

The program is already underway in homes and schools and is to conclude during the week of Nov. 5 with a series of discussions and events, said Nathan Hamburger, assistant city manager.

High school students and adults are encouraged to read "Tortilla Curtain" during the next few weeks.

Middle-schoolers will read "Esperanza Rising," and elementary school teachers assigned their students "Something's Happening on Calabash Street."

"The program is designed to get people of all ages to read or visit the school or city library," Kuperberg said. He said the program is also meant to encourage families to read and discuss a book together.

"The program promotes discussion and understanding and opens many other doors in a positive way," Kuperberg said. "Books can make you think- not to think alike, but to think together."

Kuperberg said he was inspired to initiate the reading program after hearing rave reviews about a similar program in Huntington Beach from his father, who has served on that city's library board for 20 years.

"I spoke to 30 librarians throughout the state about how they run the program," said Kuperberg, who ultimately enlisted the help of local English teachers, librarians and others in selecting the books for the inaugural event.

Meetings with school principals spread enthusiasm for the program, and English teachers have already assigned "Tortilla Curtain" to their students.

All three books chosen center on themes of diversity and multiculturalism, Kuperberg said. He and his 7yearold son, Matthew, read five books before choosing "Something's Happening on Calabash Street."

The selection is about a neighborhood street fair where people of many cultures share their favorite foods. The book tells of neighbors joining together and celebrating cultural differences. Recipes are included at the end of the book.

"It's a very adorable book," Kuperberg said.

After the selections have all been read, several "One Book" events are planned. Student-led discussion groups are tentatively scheduled for Mon., Nov. 5 at Agoura High School. Kuperberg said the groups will meet in different classrooms and a variety of topics may be addressed. The high school program is overseen by the high school's English teachers.

On Tues., Nov. 6, elementary school students are invited to participate in a costume party with Stephanie Gordon, the author of "Something's Happening on Calabash Street," at the Agoura Hills Library. Gordon will read the story aloud.

The middle school program event will be centered on writing. Kuperberg said students may be asked to enter a writing contest in which they try to mimic the style of the author or protagonist of "Esperanza Rising."

The project's culmination is scheduled for Thurs., Nov. 8, when USC professor T.C. Boyle, author of "Tortilla Curtain," will lead residents in a discussion of his book.

The city will announce locations for all the events in the next couple of weeks, Hamburger said.

"Any time you can encourage reading and find a way for parents and their children to interact, you have accomplished something great," he said.