LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools has launched a "One School, One Book" initiative this fall aimed at boosting adolescent literacy across all 13 middle schools, Rise STEM Academy for Girls, and The Learning Center.

The program requires every student, teacher, administrator, front office staff member, custodian, cafeteria worker, and bus driver to read a common novel selected by each school, centered on themes of belonging, community, or safety. Crawford Middle School unveiled its selection, "Same Sun Here" by Kentucky native Silas House, at a schoolwide assembly. The novel tells the story of an Indian immigrant in New York City and a Kentucky coal miner's son who become pen pals.

"We truly all live under the same sun, and it's all about belonging," said Crawford Middle civics teacher Sara Green, describing the book's central message. The schools have planned high-energy kickoff events, with some inviting special guests including Mayor Linda Gorton and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.

The initiative grew out of work supported by the district's Stronger Connections grant, which funds programs to create safer and healthier learning environments. "We know students learn and thrive when they feel connected, so through our Stronger Connections grant, we have the ability to launch something special using the power of literacy to create shared experiences," said Soraya Matthews, chief officer of Student Belonging and Success.

Throughout the previous school year, FCPS principals, assistant principals, and deans of instruction studied how the brain becomes literate. The district built on that foundation and momentum from this summer's inaugural Middle School Literacy Summit to organize the program. "Many adolescents enter middle school with persistent gaps in foundational reading skills, and without intervention they fall further behind," said Nikita Reed, a chief school leadership officer for middle schools. The district aims for 100 percent participation, with students meeting in small groups to discuss themes, create hallway displays, write essays, or debate their school's book selection over the coming month.