Woodham Middle School’s school-wide read alouds have an uplifting, unifying, and educating effect on the students. As their first selection for the year, The City of Ember, created a remarkable experience. During winter break the faculty and staff pre-read the novel and planned activities that tied with their curriculum. The FBI team (Fueling Better Instruction – their Literacy team) designed packets to give teachers multiple ideas for tying the book to their content area. The school began to evolve into the “City of Ember” as students and teachers decorated the hallways with yellow lighting, street signs, power lines, and Ember’s landmarks. All teachers, regardless of their content area, read aloud to students. The school-wide read alouds aided students in gaining fluency skills, new vocabulary, and a broader knowledge of the world around them. The culminating activity was a family literacy night focusing on the book. To begin the evening, a multimedia presentation was shown of students and teachers working on projects, reading the book, and transforming the school into Ember. The families also participated in a scavenger hunt and a vocabulary bingo. Through this exciting evening, parents were able to gain insight into their child’s literacy experiences. Woodham’s school-read alouds bring students, teachers, and families together in the discovery and adventure of reading in hopes to make life long readers.