Mayor Hancock announces 2017 YOBOD selection, book celebrates individuality

DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock unveiled Monday the 2017 Youth One Book, One Denver (YOBOD) program selection at Ashley Elementary School.

“Upside-Down Magic” published by Scholastic, Inc, from hit authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins, chronicles the misadventures of nine-year-old Nory and her oddball friends, who prove that upside-down magic definitely beats right side up.

Mayor Hancock was joined by Myracle, as well as Councilman Christopher Herndon, students from Ashley Elementary School, and representatives from Denver Arts & Venues, the Denver Office of Children’s Affairs, Denver Public Library, Denver Afterschool Alliance, Tattered Cover, and other YOBOD partners.

“Youth One Book, One Denver brings books to life for so many children here in our city,” Mayor Hancock said. “By endorsing life-long learning and instilling in our youth the joy of reading, we can set them on the path to a bright and wonderful future.”

In “Upside-Down Magic,” the first book in its series, characters live in an offbeat, whimsical world in which it’s okay for kids to be different.

“The books stresses that it’s okay to be gloriously upside-down in the eyes of others as long as the kids themselves find a way to embrace their unique awesomeness,” says Myracle. “Sarah, Emily, and I are beyond thrilled that ‘Upside-Down Magic’ was selected for Youth One Book, One Denver. To bring kids (and their adults) from a range of backgrounds together for the sole purpose of experiencing and enjoying literature? That, for us, is pure magic."

“As a father, I know how important it was for my children to learn that their differences make them unique and special people, and one of the best ways to teach them was through reading. “It’s those differences that contribute to a dynamic and diverse community, and it starts at a young age,” the Mayor added.

The 2017 YOBOD program launches June 13, TIME TBD in the McNichols Civic Center Building located at 144 W. Colfax Ave. Summer programming includes group activities, workshops and classes, and self-directed activities found in the free activity guide. Events and activities are based on “Upside-Down Magic” and range from science and technology, to theatre and art, to mindfulness, meditation and yoga. A full list of related events may be found on ArtsandVenues.com/YOBODCalendar.

Now in its sixth year, the YOBOD summer reading program, which runs June through August, offers children ages 9-12 a shared reading experience along with fun and educational programming to help combat summer learning loss with events and activities tied to the book’s themes.

Mlynowski, Myracle and Jenkins will make several public appearances in late July. Youth participating in summer partner programs will receive a copy of this year’s selection as well as educational opportunities related to the book. Participants can also pick up a copy of the book and activity guide at Tattered Cover or Denver public library branches, or download a copy of the activity guide online at ArtsandVenues.com/YOBOD.

New to the program this year, participants will be able to track their reading progress, get programming and reading suggestions, and earn activity badges at YOBOD.Beanstack.org.

For more information, please visit: ArtsandVenues.com/YOBOD.