One Book, One City for Kids

Read with us!

One Book, One City for Kids is an annual reading program that encourages all 5th grade students in Grand Rapids to read and discuss the same book. The program helps to develop a lifelong love of reading among school-age readers, to inspire readers to bring story ideas and themes to life through discussion and creative reactions, and to build collaborative ties between public libraries, school libraries, and area schools.

The 2025 selection is Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson.

About the author

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor awards; The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and a Texas Library Association Lone Star List selection; and the graphic novel Twins co-created with Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book.

You can find out more about Johnson at varianjohnson.com and follow him on Instagram at @varianjohnson.

What happens in the book?

Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin is excited to finally be old enough to play in the spades tournament, a big deal for every Joplin Man. While his friends worry about school and girls, Ant only cares about living up to his dad’s expectations at the card table. But when his best friend gets grounded, Ant needs a new partner. Shirley, the new girl in class, isn’t who he imagined—she talks a lot of smack and plays tough. Ant’s not sure his dad would like him teaming up with a girl, but Shirley is smart and knows her cards. So Ant teams up with her and keeps it a secret. But soon, he finds out his dad has a huge secret too, one that might tear their family apart.