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Schools

'Lakewood Reads' Looking to Bring the Community Together

The Lakewood High School social studies department selects the socially relevant autobiography/biography entitled "The Other Wes Moore" for the annual Lakewood Reads summer program.

and the have teamed together for a summer reading project, “Lakewood Reads,” that hopes to get the whole community on the same page when it comes to its summer reading selection. 

The LHS Social Studies Department has chosen the socially relevant autobiography/biography entitled The Other Wes Moore for Lakewood Reads. The book tells the story of two boys who grew up in the same Baltimore, Maryland neighborhood and share the same name, but took very different paths. One has become a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow and business leader, while the other is serving a life sentence without parole for being involved in a murder.

The author Wes Moore attempts to examine the factors that contributed to their divergent fates. He finds that he had a series of mentors, family members, and interested individuals who intervened, confronted, and challenged him; while the other Wes Moore didn't have all of the support that he could have used or that he needed at crucial moments in his life. The book also emphasizes that there are consequences, both good and bad, for the choices we make. The LHS and library staff believe that both teens and adults will find the book relevant and will be able to make parallels to their own lives.

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has ordered 50 copies of the book and will also have it available in audio and eBook formats. The book is also available in bookstores and online sites such as Amazon.com. While students are required to read the book for summer reading, the hope is that everyone in the community will read it and participate in dialogue related to its themes.

Students will be participating in activities related to the book at school in the fall while the library will host discussions focusing on the book at its main branch in September.

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“Community reads are growing in popularity across the country. The teachers at Lakewood High feel that this concept will not only encourage reading, but will help to connect the community to the schools,” said social studies teacher Lauren Flynn. “One of the main themes of The Other Wes Moore is the role that support systems play in the success of a child.   In the end, we are hoping that community members are encouraged to become involved in supporting Lakewood’s youth in whatever way they can.”

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