Portola Junior-Senior High School announces a “unique and engaging event” aimed at fostering a deeper connection with the community through the love of reading and literacy. Niecea Freeman, English teacher at Portola High, reports that the school is organizing a community read event titled One Book. One Community. centered around the compelling narrative of Lizzie Johnson’s book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Escape an American Wildfire.”
This initiative invites members of the community to come together to read, discuss and reflect on the book’s themes and its relevance to contemporary issues, said Freeman. Copies of “Paradise” are available at no cost and can be picked up at Portola High, 155 6th Ave. Interested participants are encouraged to check in with the front office to obtain their copy.
In an effort to support and enrich the reading experience, Freeman said the school has also prepared a Community Read Pacing Guide (suggesting five pages a day for the casual reader) and a Chapter-by-Chapter Resource Guide, making it easier for readers to engage deeply with the material at their own pace. Multimedia videos and interviews are available in the Community Pacing Guide to enhance the reading experience.
Recognizing the diverse preferences of readers, audiobooks will also be made available upon request, “underscoring the school’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in this literary journey,” said Freeman. To access this format, participants are asked to fill out a provided form or contact Freeman directly at [email protected].
“The One Book. One Community. event is more than just a reading initiative; it’s an opportunity
to bring the community into the heart of the school, fostering a shared space for learning and
dialogue,” said Freeman. “The goal is to build a collective understanding around crucial topics such as emotional literacy and the significance of nurturing positive interactions between humans and the environment.”
The culmination of this communal reading experience is set for May 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Portola High. Freeman said this celebration is a chance for participants to engage in meaningful conversations over dinner, sharing their insights and reflections on “Paradise” and drawing parallels to the Dixie Fire’s impact on Plumas County.
Local poet Margaret Elysia Garcia, from Greenville, will present excerpts from her latest work, “Burn Scars,” capturing the emotional and physical landscape shaped by wildfires. Furthermore, author and journalist Lizzie Johnson, who wrote “Paradise,” will attend as well, offering her perspectives on the investigative novel and participating in the broader community discourse.
“Portola Junior-Senior High School extends a warm invitation to all community members to join this initiative, embracing the transformative power of reading and collective reflection,” said Freeman. “Through One Book. One Community., the school aspires to not only share a love of reading but also to strengthen the bonds within the community, enriching the communal fabric with shared knowledge and understanding of pertinent issues that touch our lives.”
The Portola Junior-Senior High School California Scholarship Federation’s presentation on One Book. One Community. for the fourth annual Student Leadership Conference, which took place Feb. 10, is available on YouTube. The video shares more details about the planning of the event and student involvement.
Information submitted by Portola Junior-Senior High School