READ Project 2026

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 McKelvie READ Project title,The Trail by Meika Hashimoto!

Toby has to finish the final thing on The List. It’s a list of brave, daring, totally awesome things that he and his best friend, Lucas, planned to do together, and the only item left is to hike the Appalachian Trail. But now Lucas isn’t there to do it with him. Toby’s determined to hike the trail alone and fulfill their pact, which means dealing with the little things — the blisters, the heat, the hunger — and the big things — the bears, the loneliness, and the memories.When a storm comes, Toby finds himself tangled up in someone else’s mess: Two boys desperately need his help. But does Toby have any help to give?The Trail is a remarkable story of physical survival and true friendship, about a boy who’s determined to forge his own path — and to survive.

~Summary taken from The Greenhouse Literary Agency. Please click HERE to be redirected to this site.

The Trail Bulletin Board Video by Samantha Astarita-1/13/2026, 12:20 PM.mp4

Why McKelvie READs

Click HERE to read why McKelvie participates in this Whole School Read/READ Project tradition.

Click HERE to find the schedule for the 2026 READ Project.

Click HERE to find the pacing guide for the 2026 READ Project.

Freelance illustrator and designer John Stevenson designed pastedown and flysheet (endsheet) the text The Trail.

Click HERE to be redirected to additional artwork by John Stevenson.

Did you love listening to The Trail ? ⛰️ Would you consider reading or listening to a read-alike?

Click HERE to be redirected to a Collection in Destiny Discover to see what is available to you. Please also consider logging into Sora HERE to find an ebook or audiobook that is similar to The Trail if you connected with this book. 📗

Appalachian National Scenic Trail. image. Britannica School,

Encyclopædia Britannica, 6 Dec. 2025.

school.eb.com/levels/middle/assembly/view/219637.

Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

"When a teacher reads aloud, it is the bonding between the teacher, the children, the books, and the act of reading." ~ Lester L. Laminack

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