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by Rose Garrett
Topics: Middle School, Reading
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For many kids, the notion of a parent/child book club could spell more flipping out than flipping through pages cover to cover. But kids' book clubs are springing up left and right, and book clubs are quickly evolving to fit every kind of kid, from the novel novice to the seasoned skimmer. These clubs provide a comfortable, communal atmosphere that promotes reading, critical thinking, and expressing ideas. The best part? Parents will get an extra-special glimpse of how and what their kid is really thinking about the world.

 

Starting a book club can be a breeze, but only if you take the right approach from the beginning. “Don't try to make the book club something it's not” advise Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp, co-authors of the comprehensive The Kids' Book Club Book (Tarcher, 2007). “We had parents telling us that at the beginning of the groups, they had an agenda. Some of these groups ended up not being so successful because the kids had a different agenda.” If this sounds familiar, you know that compromise is key. To create a common ground, make sure that you tailor the book club to all its members, not just the expectations of the adults. That way, kids will feel like the club belongs to them, and is not just a parent-mandated chore.

 

After you've established the group's goals, it's time to start reading! Both parents and kids can browse for books, but Judy and Vicki recommend that you preview all books for the group's approval before diving in. The Kids' Book Club Book authors also recommend that you choose books that can generate a lot of interest, like a book with a popular movie version, or a series of books that will hook them for months. Be sure not to forget the reading level of the group, and take the time to find out what they'll be reading in school, so that you can be aware of the issues they're discussing, as well as avoid overlap.