A hunger for reading at Garden City High School
On Feb. 13, Garden City High School students and faculty members came together through literature for the eighth annual One School, One Book community read program. Coordinated by librarian Margaux Calemmo, this year’s initiative featured the contemporary mystery thriller “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. The day marked the culmination of a process that began in December 2024 when students and staff voted on the novel to read.
The event included small group "chat station" discussions that delved into the novel’s themes, unpacking the puzzles and mental challenges put forth by the author. This year, the event had a special twist as the chat stations were run entirely by student volunteers from Garden City High School ELA classes. With guidance from their peers and support from teachers across all subject areas, students engaged in conversations about their perspectives on the character development and themes of the book. The focus was on the contemporary elements of the novel, as this year’s selection—a dystopian narrative—represented a departure from the historical and realistic fiction typically chosen.
This schoolwide community read remains a popular event at Garden City High School, with significant participation from students throughout grades 9-12. The committee began planning in the fall, incorporating student input and preferences. In December 2024, students cast their votes from a selection of three titles with “The Hunger 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.
