ONE BOOK CAPTURES A WHOLE TOWN - WAREHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
How can one book capture a whole town? One did - in three different versions....
For adults: THREE CUPS OF TEA - (One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...1 school at a time) by Greg Mortenson
and David Oliver Relin, Penguin 2007.
For junior readers: THREE CUPS OF TEA - by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin; Puffin Books/Penguin Group/Young
Readers Edition 2009. Foreward by Dr. Jane Goodall.
For beginning readers: a picture book entitled: LISTEN TO THE WIND (The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea). By
Greg Mortenson & Susan L. Roth (collage arts). The Penguin Group/Dial Books for Young Readers, 2009.
What an experience! A whole town involved in reading and conducting activities surrounding one book.
The author, Greg Mortenson, a registered nurse, was a lost mountain climber when he was rescued in the mountains of Pakistan,
by a village chief and his family. He was cared for over several months while he recuperated. He vowed to repay
them; the most desired thing they wanted was a school for the children who were desperately trying to teach themselves by
writing in the dirt or snow. After returning to America, he was discovered by a scientific benefactor and over several
months was able to return and build one school - after first also putting up a bridge to bring supplies over.
He ended up- putting up 80 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the emphasis on the need for little girls to get an education.
Susan Pizzolato, Acting Director of the Wareham Library Foundation , the Friends of the Library, and educational
personnel from the public schools got together and had a vision of what it would be like to have the whole town motivated
to read and work with one book.
The mission of the group was the further education of children, by collaborating the reading, the humanities,
adult book discussions and related activities throughout the community.. Secondly, to build bridges between
organizations. i.e. the library, public schools, local agencies and businesses to develop more community spirit.
Susan called Greg Mortenson to start the program off, by asking him to speak... She found he was highly
scheduled and also highly priced. She explained to Mr. Mortenson what they had planned to do. He more than generously
sent boxes and boxes of his books, tapes etc. to assist them in their quest. They were overwhelmed with his generosity.
Over a six month period, many exciting things have been accomplished. The Onset Creative Arts Association
worked on pottery demonstrations; collage murals, prayer rugs; and even held a Kite Festival. The library and middle
schools initiated the children into making prayer flags and kites to 'send good wishes on the wind' around the town.
Special speakers were brought in to enlighten the adults into the difficulties and cultures of these mountain peoples.
Murals by the children decorated the library walls and the school classroom walls during Open House. Book discussions
were held at different times. The Friends of the Library purchased enough of the Junior books so that each child in
Middle School has one. It was the focus of the reading program in Summer School. A play has been in the works
by these middle schoolers - to be presented soon. There will be an ongoing exchange between some of the school children
in Central Asia and the little community of Wareham.
Wareham is a small town of over 20,000 residents, at the entrance to Cape Cod. It has 54 miles of
lovely coastline.
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