'One World, Many Stories' Is 2018 All Delco Reads Theme

MEDIA, PA – Delaware County officials and community partners debuted the theme for the 2018 All Delco Reads program Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Four books have been chosen for the 2018 theme of "One World, Many Stories."

One of the books highlighted in high school and adult reading selection is "Every Falling" Star by Sungju Lee and Susan McClelland.

"Every Falling Star" is the true-story memoir of a North Korean boy named Sungju who at 12 years wold was forced to live on the streets and fend for himself.

To survive, Sungju creates a gang and lives by thieving, fighting, begging, and stealing rides on cargo trains. Sungju richly re-creates his personal story, depicting what it was like for a boy alone to create a new family with his gang, his “brothers”; to be hungry and to fear arrest, imprisonment, and even execution. The memoir allows young readers and adults alike to learn about other cultures where freedoms they take for granted do not exist.

Delaware County Council is again partnering with the Delaware County Reading Council and the Delaware County Library System to urge young people and adults to read this remarkable true story and to discuss the book among friends in organized book clubs or at library programs.

There are also reading selections for middle school, elementary and kindergarten students.

"Arcady’s Goal" by Eugene Yelchin is the middle school selection, "The Little Tree" by Muon Van is the primary elementary school selection and "The Soda Bottle School" by Laura Kutner and Suzanne Slade is the intermediate elementary school selection.

Residents have various ways to access the book selections, including getting a copy at their local library or by downloading it onto their digital device. Visit the county library system website for more information and to download the books.

Pictured above in front from left are: Dr. Sue Kulp, member of the Delaware County Reading Council and Principle of Edgewood Elementary School; Marcia DeSantis, Edgewood Elementary School Reading Specialist; Brian Dillion, Public Relations and Grant Coordinator for Delaware County Library Services; Cathy Bittle, Director of Delaware County Library Services; Councilman Kevin Madden; Janice Stubbs, Delaware County Library Services staff member; Kristin Suda, Delaware County Library Services staff member; and Cherri Crow, Delaware County Library Services staff member.

In back from left are: Councilman Brian Zidek, Vice Chair Colleen Morrone, Councilman Mike Culp and Chairman John McBlain.

Image via Delaware County