Since traditional book clubs (where everyone reads the same book, then meets to discuss it) can be hard to organize with teens, I've decided to move toward book talks, or book brags. In April and May, I ate lunch with 7th and 8th graders at DMS, and we simply talked about what books we had read recently, and whether or not they were any good.
It was fantastic! Everyone had something to say, and I got a lot of ideas for my ever-growing book list. We had a lot of return students from the first month to the second, so I think they enjoyed it as well. Though school is ending soon, I am moving the book brags to the library for our Summer Reading Program. On Monday afternoons, kids can come and talk about the books they read the previous week, thereby giving other kids ideas of books they might like to read.
This afternoon I asked my book braggers to write mini reviews of a book they had enjoyed, and I'll be posting about one a day over the next couple weeks.
I loved the book talk (book brag) during lunch today and last month. It was fun to talk about different books and have everyone put in their opinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mimi! I really enjoy it too...you guys always give me ideas of new books to read. I'm a little bummed that we didn't start this until the end of the school year, because I would have loved to see you guys more often.
ReplyDeleteSince you commented, I'll put your review up next! (If you want to add any other reviews, you can email them to me at dunlapyouth@yahoo.com and I'll post them, too.)
This sounds like so much fun! Did you already know some of the kids through your work at the public library? Had you volunteered at the school before? Just curious about how you made it work; people always talk about connecting our public libraries with our schools, but they never seem to meet up so successfully!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteIt might have been a help that I grew up going to these schools, but that wasn't really a factor. I simply contacted the middle school librarian, and she was open to collaborating with our public library. She put up signs advertising that kids could eat in the library and discuss books (and she provided dessert, which is always a help!). We had really great turnouts--15ish kids each lunch hour. I'll definitely be continuing the program next fall, and hopefully adding the other middle school to my lunch rounds. :)