And Yet Another Journey

"And Yet Another Journey" is a novel by Nasser Yousefi. It was published in 2017 and reached its eighth edition by 2021. The novel is around 400 pages long and has been recognized as one of the finalists for the White Hoopoe Award and selected by the Cultural Association of Children's Book Publishers.

The book quickly gained significant popularity among teenagers, with many literary groups for children and young adults recommending it. A large part of its success can be attributed to the efforts of teachers and reading advocates who introduced the book in their programs. Notably, this book is one of the few works primarily recommended by the literature-teaching community to teenagers.

On May 8, 2022, Ofoq Publications' Instagram page announced that readers had selected "And Yet Another Journey" as one of teenagers' most beloved original books.

This novel consists of three interwoven stories about the journeys of three teenagers. According to an old tradition in their town, teenagers must embark on a solo journey when they reach the age of 14.

The protagonists, Shooka, Sam, and Pooneh, each set out on their own adventures, encountering unique experiences. Readers can choose to follow each story individually or read them sequentially, intertwining the perspectives of the three characters.

The book's creative narrative structure, themes, and messages have made it particularly appealing to young readers.

In 2017, the author invited teenagers, parents, teachers, and facilitators to participate in a collective reading experience through a dedicated social media channel. The goal was to create a shared space for readers to discuss the book, exchange thoughts, and engage directly with the author.

Approximately 1,500 facilitators, teachers, and parents from across the country joined the Telegram group, contributing to conversations about the book. Participants were encouraged to:

• Discuss the book’s themes and characters
• Ask questions directly to the author
• Share their insights and interpretations

This direct engagement created a sense of community and strengthened readers' connection to the book.

Furthermore, the author provided educators with suggested activities and discussion prompts to use with teenagers. Educators appreciated these resources, noting that the book's layered narrative encouraged meaningful conversations that enhanced the reading experience.

The author later prepared a comprehensive reading guide titled "Collective Reading Guide for And Yet Another Journey," offering step-by-step suggestions for educators on how to facilitate discussions and activities based on the book.

Following the success of the social media initiative, teachers and facilitators were encouraged to form teen reading groups. These groups created opportunities for teenagers to discuss the book and its characters.

Educators, librarians, and book promoters from various cities, including Mashhad, Rasht, Babol, Hamedan, Sari, Isfahan, Bandar Abbas, Lahijan, Neyshabur, and Yazd, reported successful reading programs. Teachers could also communicate with the author, sharing their experiences and receiving feedback.

One of the most notable reading groups involved Afghan refugee teenagers in Kordan, Tehran, who read and discussed the book under the guidance of the Little Tree Association.

Ofoq Publications launched a photography campaign encouraging teenagers to take "And Yet Another Journey" along on their summer trips. Participants were invited to capture photographs of the book in various landscapes and share their images on social media.

This initiative reignited interest in the book and emphasized the idea of carrying a book as an essential travel companion. Numerous captivating photos from different regions were shared and can be viewed on the publisher's and the author's Instagram pages.

 In the summer of 2019, the Institute for Children's World Research organized a summer workshop on travel and literature inspired by the book And Yet Another Journey.

The workshop lasted for 10 weeks, with three sessions each week. The weekly structure was as follows:

1. Focus on a Concept: Reading a book section and inviting a specialist to discuss the weekly theme.
2. Educational Workshop: Conducting activities related to the theme.
3. Visits and Field Trips: Organizing urban and rural excursions.

The weekly themes included:

• Week 1: Habit
• Week 2: Mask
• Week 3: Fear
• Week 4: Listening
• Week 5: Seeing
• Week 6: Trust
• Week 7: Dream
• Week 8: Gratitude
• Week 9: Forgiveness
• Week 10: Detachment

During each week:

• A part of the book was read.
• A literature specialist was invited.
• An educational workshop was held.
• Participants went on field trips related to the week's theme.

Although the workshop was based on "And Yet Another Journey," it introduced teenagers to various young adult literature. The combination of reading with urban and rural visits created an engaging and immersive experience for the participants. The book transformed into a curriculum for self-discovery through travel and literature.

In the village of Dehkehan, Kahnuj County, the Fatemeh Library initiated a remarkable activity after reading "And Yet Another Journey." Readers who formed a strong connection with the book's characters—Puneh, Shouka, and Sam—decided to commemorate them by planting trees.

The teenagers and the librarians planted three orange tree saplings in the library, named after one of the characters. This symbolic act resonated deeply with the local children and teens, leading to the decision to plant trees in honour of other beloved book characters.

As a result, the tree planting project evolved into an ongoing tradition, encouraging children and teenagers to celebrate their favourite stories through environmental action.

Introducing non-curricular books into Iran's educational system is challenging. Novels and fictional works rarely receive approval for use in schools. However, "And Yet Another Journey" found its way into numerous schools through literature, creative writing, and composition teachers.

Teachers across the country enthusiastically shared the book in virtual groups, recommending it as an essential read for students. Additionally, the publisher Ofoq highlighted the book on its social media platform as a must-read for teachers on Teacher's Day.

The book's organic popularity spread unexpectedly. Conservative media outlets such as Mashregh News and Jahan News expressed surprise and criticism over teachers' widespread promotion of the book.

"And Yet Another Journey" has gained remarkable attention among teenagers as a locally authored book. Numerous social media pages and literary groups for young adults have recommended it as a suitable read.

Notably, the book's promotion occurred primarily through grassroots efforts by literature teachers and reading advocates. Institutions like the Ministry of Education, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, the National Broadcasting Agency, and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance did not officially introduce it. Instead, teachers, teenagers, and bookstores played a crucial role in spreading the book's popularity.

This phenomenon raises a valuable point of the study: how non-official institutions and individuals facilitated the book's promotion and encouraged young readers to engage in collective reading sessions. Investigating these informal networks of book promotion could offer insights into how literature can organically capture the interest of young readers and foster a culture of reading.