JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — One District, One Book is a special community-based reading project taking place in elementary schools across the city of Jamestown. It's part of a nationwide program called Read to Them, which includes more than 100 schools across the state.

Bryson Peterson, an 8-year-old from Jamestown, is reading a book at home with his Dad, entitled "The Wish Tree" by Katherine Applegate.

"I like to read a lot," Bryson said. "It feels good to read with my Mom and Dad, sometimes, my little brother."

Bryson is one of hundreds of elementary students in the district who were given the book, as part of the One District, One Book program.

"It just feels good to like show them like what I'm doing in school," said Bryson.

Dad is also reading the book to Bryson, part of the plan to get students and parents excited about reading while fostering quality time.

"Getting that one-on-one time really does help and shows him that he is loved," said Josh Morrison. "It opens you up to a whole new world, a different world. And it helps your interaction with your child. It's really brightened my life."

Not only is the book read at home, but at school as well, as each class, like Bryson's, has set aside time to read it.

"Very nice that you get a book of your own to read at home and at school," Bryson said. "And I think that because like they're doing it to get people better at reading."

The book centers around an old red oak tree that holds the wishes of the community on its branches as well as how the neighborhood reacts and comes together when someone carves the word LEAVE in the tree's trunk after a new Muslim family moves in. 

It's a story of nature and kindness, friendship and tolerance, diversity and acceptance.

Long-time Ring Elementary teacher Kim Austin is among the educators who credit the book for having themes each grade level can relate to.

"So, I think it's a great book that'll span all ages," Austin said. "Anytime that you get children excited about a book or a story and encourage them to read on their own outside of school, then you are helping to create better readers."

Even the youngest readers, like a group of kindergarteners at Love Elementary, thanks to the choreography of their music teacher, brought the book to life with a special song and dance.

"So we're super proud that we're able to link a program with other cities across the state and across the nation where we're all sitting down and reading together," said Principal Kate Benson.

Benson, who successfully took part in the same program at her daughter's previous school in Corning, is credited with bringing the idea to her school, before sharing it with her family and community engagement committee.

Staff voted on which book to select before the idea went district-wide as part of an overall effort to promote a student's long-term success. 

"We want our community to all graduate from high school so if we're all able to read on grade level by third grade, we have a really good chance of doing that," Benson said.

There's also a really good chance Bryson and his family will continue to read together once this book is done.

"I want to get better at reading and just like kind of know a lot about books and about that author," said Bryson.

Students were expected to have the book done by June 13.