Book Clubs
September Middle Grade Book Club choice:
I love any book that makes a kid say, “But that’s not fair!” This is one of those books. It has well-drawn characters, friendships full of loyalty and humor, great representation, and tackles big issues like equity, access, and the rising impact of AI all wrapped up in a riveting and heartwarming middle grade novel. I can’t wait to hear what readers think!
Recommended: 4th-8th grade
October Middle Grade Book Club choice:
This book has all the cozy delight of a woodland animal story, but mixed with just the right amount of dark-forest-undead-afterlife for the Halloween season. While it has great humor, particularly in the main character’s voice and dialogue, it also tackles big issues like death and transition, self-acceptance, inner-worth, vulnerability, and companionship.
I’m not the only one who loved it! It received a Newberry Honor Award this year from the American Library Association. Whoo hoo!
Recommended: 5th-8th Grade
Book clubs will happen over the course of two 1.5-hour meetings. During the first gathering, we’ll engage in pre-reading activities to build background knowledge on the book’s subject matter and themes. We’ll take a pre-reading tour of the book, note the structure, and make some predictions. I’ll do a first-chapter read aloud to draw us all in, and share some ways that we can collect thoughts and questions that we’d like to bring back to the group for our second meeting.
Then we’ll go home and reeeeeeead! Please feel free to email me with any BIG thoughts or questions during this 3-week window.
During the second gathering, we’ll practice different strategies for discussing literature, and engage in post-reading activities to stretch our thinking. We’ll end the session with our Book Club tradition: a toast to the author! I’ll send readers home with an “If you loved this book you might also love…” list.
See current book choices below! Recommended grade levels are always given with flexibility and take into account level and content. However, you know your readers, and feel free to reach out with questions!
Cost: $65/reader (includes a copy of the book, which I’ll distribute during the first meeting. I’m so happy to support our local indie, The Flying Pig Bookstore!)
Minimum # of participants: 6 / Maximum # of participants: 16 (if registration closes, email TheWritePlaceVT@gmail.com to join the waitlist)