Hi!
Let me begin by thanking everyone who replied to my original request
for advice. You really have given me something to think about—and a LOT
of encouragement, as well. Thank you for taking time from your very
busy schedules. I really, really appreciate it. Now…for the hit.
Kathy Hutton, Media Specialist
Lemon Bay High School, Englewood Florida
khutton@ewol.com
------------
My request:
I've been thinking of starting a small group of students who seem
to be avid readers. My thinking is that we will gather to discuss/share
the books each of us is reading and have a little snack or lunch. My
questions are : Does anyone have experience with a book club/group in
which participants read different books, then gather to share? Do you
think this would work? Do you see any problems with this idea (that I,
obviously, have overlooked)?
Thanks, so much.
------------------
Responses:
------------------
I do a book club with junior high students and we share different books
that we read. I had 25 students show up the first time, so too much
cost to purchase that many of the same title. And we have food! Other
things I have done is have them make PowerPoint book reviews which I put
together into a continuously running slide show in the library. We have
also played Pictionary, Jeopardy and Millionaire games using book titles
(templates were online), with genre, authors, etc for the questions, and
they really like that. Another perk of being in the club is that they
get first dibs on new books I have purchased. We also showed the DVD
about the making of Harry Potter and that was really good, about 30-40
min. Donna Wenzel
-----------------------
Once per month I have Brown Bag Book Discussion. We meet during the
lunch periods in the library. Students bring a lunch and I provide the
drinks and a snack. We have lively book discussions about the books
they have read and I interject some of what is new and exciting in YA
lit. I have five lunch periods and I average 30-50 students each month.
My eighth graders are my largest group - LOUD and PROUD!
Enjoy! Kathy Batykefer, LMS
-----------------------
I was just wondering if you would share with me any responses that you
get. I am also thinking of starting a book club next year. I was
thinking of doing a group similar to what you describe. In addition, I
was hoping to get the group to agree on at least two books that we all
read so that we can expand discussion to interpretation and learn how to
see books from other perspectives. But I would really appreciate
learning any new information, if you have time to pass it
along! Thanks so much! Mindy Meister
--------------------
School Library Journal had an article about this type of book club a
while back on their website. It's still posted in their "What Works"
section of www.slj.com The idea was that students would read different
books that were thematically, or otherwise related so that the
discussions would have some common ground. The only challenge I can
foresee with this type of club is that the facilitator might need to
read all of the books in order to help the students make connections
between what they've read and what someone else is reading. Good Luck!
Esther Frith, Teacher Librarian
--------------------------
I'm at an elementary school but I've been in a book club myself for
more than 10 years so you can take this advice with a grain of salt.
My book group occasionally will get together just to talk about "what
we've been reading" and it can be a good meeting. I get lots of ideas
about books I want to put on my "to read" list. BUT, I see downsides
for a high school meeting such as this, especially on a regular basis.
It is very likely that the students will have divergent reading
interests. That's one of the benefits of a traditional book club
because it forces readers out of their comfort zone to read things they
might not ordinarily read. Then, if occasionally you have those kind of
meetings, the reader will probably be more open to other's suggestions.
If that is never the case, and every week/month I have to listen to
Harold obsess about the latest science fiction book he's read or Susie
about her latest romance novel, I'm probably either just going to be
waiting for my turn to talk or I'll quit coming.
Although, if you happen to lots of open minded kids with either
similar reading interests or adventuous reading appetites, it might
work. Good luck with your group! Lori Bervoets, Librarian
-----------------------------
I have a book club that we started this year. I think you should let
the students decide if they want to all read the same book or all read
different titles. Our group decides together on a book, picking a
different genre each time. A vote is taken from a selection of titles I
pick and also suggestions from students themselves. I have offered to
let each of us read our own book and then share with the group.
Surprisingly, they did not want to do this. They wanted to continue with
our group reads. Your students may feel differently but I think you
might let them choose their preference. Good luck. Sandy
-----------------------
We have a group called the Breakfast Club and meet one Friday a month
before school. I bring in pastries, fruit, juice, etc. Each of the
kids read whatever they want and we talk about the books at our monthly
gahtering. We have a good time, eat lots and laugh a lot. Once a Year
we have an overnighter in the school library and have a marathon reading
of one book which we read aloud. Of course we do lots of other things
during the night. Games in the library or the gym. Have pizza
delivered. Act silly. They really look forward to that night. Kristie
Plank
I just started such a club with 7th & 8th graders who begged me to
start a grooup. I chose to only invite girls. With our class schedues,
it is difficult to find a lunch period when all can meet. we are going
to be discussing Laurie Anderson's book "Speak" next week.
Good Luck. Margret Bedle
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