Starting Your Own Children's Book Club
by Brian Thomas
One of the most common questions asked of me while in Junior High School revolved around reading. I couldn't get enough! Far from an introspective kid, reading was actually a way to connect to others. I read everything from The Conte of Monte Christo to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. Today, there are more choices for all families -- particularly with an African American flavor. My mother made sure that books were always about, particularly books with Black heroes. She tried to satisfy my tastes as a reader and a young African-American male by making special trips to the bookstore.
Today's teens and pre-teens read very little, according to many recent studies. Harry Potter aside, how can you get your child interested in reading for future success? How can you take on the responsibility of creating a reading course for your child? One exciting approach is to start your own book club.
A common interest in books is what encourages many readers to begin the process of starting a book club. Therefore, you're probably asking yourself how can you start such a club with children as the main participants -- especially when their reading interests most likely vary? The idea of setting up a book club may seem daunting at first, but don't lose sight of the many benefits that your child -- and other people's children -- can reap. A whole new "world" of friends and possibilities will be opened for them.
Here are some good questions to think about when considering a book club:
Do I want my child to be in a book club or does my child want to be a member of a book club?
If my child is interested in joining, who are the other children and parents that I should invite to join?
Who are the adults that will be reading along with the children and guiding them? Remember children love consistency, so having just one or two adult leaders is crucial for providing a level of comfort and encouraging the safe exchange of ideas.
What types of books will the club primarily read? Non-fiction? Biographies? Classics? Sports? (Yes, children's fiction can have a genre and focus.)
What is the minimum and maximum number of children that will allow the group to run smoothly? Keep your meeting space in mind when you consider this question.
Set time parameters for meeting: How long will you meet? How often? What seasons and months should you avoid? How will you select new members to join the group?
Does your local newspaper or library offer a children's book club? If so, you may want to piggyback your selections with theirs!
Ask your child what he or she would like to get out of a reading club. Be sure to keep them in the process, because the more they are invested in the idea of the club, the more you will see them own it. Promote the book-club idea as a fun journey for a group rather than a solitary endeavor for something that has to be done for school. Market the fun in place of the academic benefits. Let your child see you feeling excited about the thought of how much fun it is to read good books and then being able to share related information with peers. You'll definitely be on the road to promoting a lifelong learner and reader!
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