By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Looking to bring the community together through a shared reading experience in an effort to increase bullying awareness and prevention the Caribou Public Library, the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) team and Caribou Middle School students in the Gifted and Talented Program have partnered to sponsor a community-wide reading event entitled, “One Book, One Community.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Members of the Caribou Middle School Gifted and Talented Program are working with the Caribou Public Library and Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) team to bring bullying awareness to the community. Through “One Book, One Community,” youth and adults are being encouraged to read ‘The Revealers,’ authored by Doug Wilhelm. From left are Alison Heidorn, Developmental Assets manager for Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention; CMS students Erin Kashian, Conner Spencer, Samantha Fortin, Gabrielle Marquis, Madeline Gudde, JoJo Fields, Noah Heidorn, Nic Sleeper, Emerson Duplissie-Cyr, Josiah Krul, Joshua Verhoff, Dawson Hebert and Seth Beidelman. Also shown with the students are Beth Alden, director of the Gifted and Talented Program; Diane DuBois, library director; and Mona Martin, youth/teen librarian.
“One Book, One Community” is an initiative that began in 1998 by the Washington Center for the Book. The purpose of this initiative is to bring people together through the shared experience of reading.
The community-wide read will feature the book, “The Revealers” by Vermont author Doug Wilhelm. “Mr. Wilhelm’s book takes a look at bullying through the lens of middle school students,” stated Allison Heidorn, Developmental Assets manager for Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention. “Ironically, it may be the adults in this book who learn the biggest lessons of all. Our hope is that ‘The Revealers’ will open up a discussion about bullying within our community,” added Heidorn.
2010 national data shows that bullying is still a problem among children and teens. Unfortunately, social networking has provided an entirely new environment for bullying to take place. According to www.bullyingstatistics.org, there are about 2.7 million students being bullied each year.
“The library is very pleased to co-sponsor this event,” said Diane DuBois, library director. “We have several copies of Mr. Wilhelm’s book on hand for area residents to check out and we hope that as many residents as possible will read ‘The Revealers’.
“Bringing our community together through a shared reading experience,” continued DuBois, “will enable us to discuss the seriousness of bullying and we will hopefully create a healthier climate for area youth of all ages.”
“This is a terrific opportunity for adults to have a common discussion with Caribou’s youth,” stated Beth Alden, director of the Gifted and Talented Program. “Members of the Caribou Middle School leadership team have done a survey within their school regarding bullying, they have worked closely with Miss White, (CMS principal), sharing the survey results and are hoping to see if they can make positive changes within their school climate,” added Alden. “This project charges the students to work toward diminishing bullying, not just be a witness. It helps build self esteem and encourages them to understand they do have a voice if they are being bullied,”
The Caribou Public Library will provide an opportunity for residents to come together to discuss Wilhelm’s book as part of a community-wide book discussion on Monday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.
“The Revealers” author will also be presenting a community-wide program for local residents of all ages on Thursday, May 3 at the Caribou Middle School beginning at 6:30 p.m. A book signing will follow this event and refreshments will be served.
“I love the idea of our community coming together through a shared reading experience and hope that everyone will choose to be a part of this very unique community event,” stated DuBois.
We are reading “The Revealers” — are you?
