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This is my second year of doing book club. Sometimes, I think I'm crazy. I have no money and can't raise money or charge money. So, I created a partnership with the public library. They get me enough copies through interlibrary loans. The students all must have a public library card. The books all get charged out on my library card. But if anyone ever loses a book or is incredibly late with returning it (which hasn't happened) the library can transfer the book to their library card and not hold me responsible. So that being said, I pick the book. I try to pick a book that I can get enough copies of and isn't the hot new book. I don't necessarily worry about sex, violence, drugs and profanity as long as it's reasonable to the story. I wouldn't pick anything I wouldn't want my own children to read. Last year we read America by E.R. Frank and there was a lot of everything. I was worried (I had to Muslim girls in the group) but didn't have any problems. We read one book every 3-4 weeks. I started a book club this year, after 20+ years without one I'm ashamed to say. I admit I'm having a good time with it! We used to have a very conservative Superintendent & Principal and I had been discouraged from recommending books to students and/or making books public in any way. A banned books display, for instance would have been forbidden. Ironic, huh? They both retired. Anyway, I picked Twilight to start things off and the response was tremendous. It was a hot title, anyway and a lot of kids had already bought and read the book. I went to the local B&N and bought 8 paperbacks with school money and turned around and sold them to my students. I kept the $ and used it to buy the next title (Uglies), etc. I can get away with two or three library copies and 6-8 buy/sellcopies. They pass them around to each other. I also have ILL available. So, the first meeting had close to 20 students, including 2 boys. The upperclassmen talked the most. The 2nd book had fewer students and by the 3rd & 4th meeting I had a core group of approx 12 regulars. For 3 & 4 we read Nineteen Minutes and Maximum Ride: Angel Experiment. I have a sign up. They take turns bringing food. I took suggestions but I made the final decision on the books. There were no complaints and no one dropped out because of it. I had a student teacher during one of the meetings and she was adored. She had some icebreaker activities and made eclairs. She made it very special just by putting a tablecloth out and fixing tea. (Frankly, I'm more of an outdoor person and not much of a tea party person - but they ate it up) My club consists of girls who are geeky and endearing and depend on me to continue it. I must say I'm warming up to it all - and it hasn't required any headache on my part. We met once before school for breakfast club but felt rushed, so now it's after school or during the Wednesday morning activity period. They weren't evenly spaced, either, such as monthly. I think that's too often. Have fun... Start it casually and see what happens! Sorry for the rambling! "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."--Harry S. Truman LHS Mission Statement: "The art of caring, the mission of excellence in studies, and the pride in achievement ensure success for all. Logansport High School---a school of champions." Tedine "Teddy" Soule, Librarian Logansport High School P. O. Box 549 Logansport, LA 71049 318-697-4338 tsoule@desotopsb.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------