“The Cardboard Kingdom,” a graphic novel for children that tells the stories of a group of kids who use cardboard boxes to construct their summer time adventures, will be this year’s selection for the Youth One Book, One Denver – a citywide program aimed at encouraging reading.

Mayor Michael Hancock announced the choice on Thursday at College View Elementary School during a ceremony that also included the author, Chad Sell of Chicago. This marks the eighth year of the Youth One Book program.

Sell collaborated on the book with several different authors who wrote various chapters describing how 16 children in the book made costumes out of the boxes and encountered knights, robots and superheroes in a cardboard world.

“The best thing about the Youth One Book, One Denver is that is really brings books and reading to life in the minds of our children, and because of it, students gain a life-long love for reading as they participate in the book-related events and activities,” Hancock said.

Sell said he was honored to have his book selected.

“As a brand-new author, it’s such an honor to think that so many kids throughout Denver will read this book,” he said. “I hope that they’ll be inspired to pick up some cardboard and embark on their own amazing adventures this summer.”

Kids taking part in summer partnership programs will get a copy of the book and be able to take part in related activities. The book will also be available to check out at the Denver Public Library.

For more information, go to ArtsandVenues.com/YOBOD.