GRAND JUNCTION, Colol. (KKCO) - Fifth grade student Aiko Poteet is new at Mesa View Elementary. She was previously home schooled, and came in at a higher learning level than many of her classmates. But Mesa View has a way for students like Aiko to connect with their peers, even as young as kindergarten.

"I actually have a level I can talk to them with. I really feel connections with the book and with my other classmates. So I feel like its something that helps classmates relate to each other and connect,” says Poteet.

The program, now in its sixth year, is called “One Book, One School.” It brings students K through 5 together to read the same book.

"One of the challenges of picking one book is picking a book that is engaging for students from kindergarten to fifth grade,” says Principal Mary Biagini.

Students from kindergarten through fifth grade are currently reading Alvin Ho. It all started with this years kick off event, where students and their families join in activities that they'll later relate to the book.

"And all the activities were designed to give students prior knowledge about activities or characters or settings in the book to help them understand,” says Biagini.

Prior knowledge is this years reading strategy that one book; one school aims to focus on. The theory is that by stimulating ideas and recalling memories, students will develop stronger reading comprehension.

Plus students get through the book easier by bringing it home to their parents.

"Kids read a chapter at school then they read a chapter at home so that the parents and community gets involved as well,” says music teacher Jamie Lewis.