THE KIDS' BOOK CLUB BOOK: Reading Ideas, Recipes, Activities, and Smart Tips for Organizing Terrific Kids' Book Clubs
by Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp
Tarcher/Penguin
ISBN-10: 1585425591
ISBN-13: 9781585425594
All ages
480 pages

I never missed a meeting of Chat and Chew, my elementary school’s book club. We met during lunch each month, and the hour-long discussion was a welcomed respite from the noisy playground for me and my bookish friends. Chat and Chew was my formal entry into the world of voluntary reading, an interest that has led to a major in English and an overwhelmed bookshelf.

For those without an already-established children’s book club, or for reading group leaders who would like some new ideas for books and activities, THE KIDS' BOOK CLUB BOOK by Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp is an excellent guidebook. It opens with hints on how to start a club, including how to find members, structure meetings and raise money. After covering a few more of the fundamentals --- such as choosing books and starting lively conversations --- the authors provide book recommendations according to age groups.

These suggestions are thorough and full of interesting tidbits to share with a reading group. Each profile contains a plot summary, a few facts about the author, a book-related recipe (or two) and plenty of fun activities. While many of these activities involve props or going outside, others can be done with just a pencil and paper. Fans of The Boxcar Children can create “Suitcases for Survival” and find new uses for everyday objects. For older readers, the guidebook outlines how to make a graphic comic based on Marjane Satrapi’s PERSEPOLIS and soap-carving tips inspired by Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Rather than a set of guiding questions, the book provides a “Topics Discussed” list that gives the leader more freedom to formulate questions suited for the group. Each recommendation ends with one general question and a thought-provoking quote from a librarian about the book.

Whether you’re just starting your children’s book club or have had one for years, THE KIDS' BOOK CLUB BOOK is a valuable guide for anyone who wants to inspire kids to read and develop a lifelong love for literature.

    --- Reviewed by Allison Lentz

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