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To paraphrase (and to quote a bit of) the opening thoughts of The Kids' Book Club Book...: if you are reading this review, ". . .chances are you love to read." And if you 'love to read' chances are you know the value of book clubs in nurturing ". . .a lifelong love of reading and (experiencing) the joy of exploring the world of books with others."

Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp, authors of The Book Club Cookbook, have redoubled their efforts and expanded their book club 'how to' advice from the world of adult readers (and eaters) to the literature world of young readers, ages six to late teens.


The short but info-packed early chapters of The Kids' Book Club Book: How to Organize Terrific Book Clubs for Kids discuss brainstorming, organizing, running, and energizing book clubs for a wide variety of kids groups. Groups for younger readers (kindergarten through 3rd grade), middle grade readers ("tweeners, or kids eight to twelve") and teen groups (kids ages thirteen to seventeen) are all discussed.

Other groups are also considered: gender-specific, coed, adult-child groups, intergenerational, community reading programs, and even online book clubs.


For each group authors Gelman and Krupp discuss the target youth who might join, what the group might like to read, and the benefits and challenges of each type of group.

Questions about 'what is the ideal size for a group?', how to recruit members, when and where to meet, how often to meet, 'how to choose' and 'who should choose' books to be read, how to organize the meetings, how to keep member interest high, and financing a book club are all discussed.

Two separate chapters address the areas of fostering "dynamic discussions" of books and how to keep the group 'energized' over the long haul.


In their research for this book the authors studied hundreds of kids' book clubs across the nation. They provide the best and the most successful of real-world suggestions and ideas to address all of these factors in establishing and maintaining your own kids' book club.


The major portion of the book is devoted to "A Bumper Crop of Books" as the authors phrase it.

For each book a short one-paragraph synopsis of the story is given. Some facts about the author and how they came to write the story (often in their own words) follow. A food recipe to prepare and a craft or game activity are provided. For each book some possible topics to be discussed are provided as well as a final "Ask It!" question with an example of how that question was discussed by a real-world group.


Some examples of books included here, in progressing 'age level':

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Skellig by David Almond
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Many of the fifty titles I recognize as being heavily reviewed here on Epinions and others appear to be lesser known and read. I am sure any group would find some appropriate titles to meet their needs among these titles.


The Bottom Line
Kids of any age like to eat. Kids like to make things. Kids like to play games. Kids like to express their opinions and share their feelings in a trusting environment.

All of these things are possible when using The Kids' Book Club Book: How to Organize Terrific Book Clubs for Kids as one of your primary resources in working with your own 'kids book club'.

If you have ever thought about how you could positively impact the youth around you, the idea of starting and fostering a 'kids book club' would be a great way to influence them for years to come.



Other 'reading, 'riting, and arithmetic reviews' by sleeper54


Certified 'lean-n-mean' review.



1000 Fences and Gates, first of these six reviews
1001 People Who Made America, second of these six reviews
Project Censored - Censored 2007: The Top 25 Censored Stories, third of these six reviews
Mensa Brain Bafflers, fourth of these six reviews

This is the fifth of six red letter day reviews to come in the near future. You are here.

Sixth, to follow.

Following that 'red letter day' link is a great way to check out the fun and value found on the Epinions message boards.
 
 

Recommended: Yes