2023 Young Readers Festival

Black Hills, South Dakota

September 21 – 22, 2023

Black Hills Reads and the Black Hills Literacy Committee are pleased to partner once again with the SD Humanities Council and the SD Statewide Family Engagement Center to bring 3rd grade students across the Black Hills the 2023 Young Readers One Book South Dakota: The Tale of Despereaux written by Kate DiCamillo!

Young Readers Festival Events

Students will have an opportunity to meet the author of this year’s YROB IN PERSON during the 2023 Young Readers One Book Festival in Rapid City on September 21st, or in Lead on September 22nd.

Note: Educators throughout the Black Hills should have already received communication about how to sign up your students for the event. If you still need to sign up or need more information, please contact the Black Hills Reads Director at hanna@unitedwayblackhills.org.

Additional evening sessions with Kate DiCamillo will be open to the public on both days. For more information about the public events being offered, visit the Festival of Books website.

Virtual Event – Sept. 14, 2023

Can’t make it in person? A YouTube LIVE virtual event with the author will also be available statewide! Thank you to our partners at the SD Statewide Family Engagement Center for making this virtual event possible!

View the virtual event here or press play below!

Supplemental Materials:

In addition to receiving a free copy of this year’s book, students and teachers will also receive a variety of supplemental materials including a digital teacher’s guide which can be found here: LESSON PLAN. 

Stay Up-to-Date:

Stay updated about this year’s YROB events in the Black Hills by following Black Hills Reads on Facebook. Sign up for email updates by subscribing to our YROB Mailing List and the Black Hills Reads Newsletter here.

About Young Readers One Book (YROB)

Each year, Black Hills Reads partners with the SD Humanities Council to bring students across the Black Hills the selected ‘Young Readers One Book’ (YROB) for the current year. Teacher/parent supplemental materials are provided along with fun Black Hills Reads swag for the students. There is also an opportunity for students to meet the author of current year’s book in person or via live stream during the annual Festival of Books.

This fall, every 3rd grader in the Black Hills will receive their own copy of the 2023 Young Readers One Book South Dakota, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Learn more about this year’s selection here: SDHC Announces 2023 One Book Selections