How Fun: A Book Club for Teens

Welcome to How Fun: An Upper Middle School Book Club

This club is a refuge for curious readers who want to explore literature while making friends. Each month, we read one book. Each class includes time for check-in, discussion of the book, a brief-ish lesson, and an activity or online game like Gimkit or Jeopardy that relates to the book's themes and/or that month's lesson focus. 

Led by an experienced and enthusiastic educator, this book club serves as a platform for young minds to dive into the depths of the story, fostering critical thinking and empathy along the way. 

WHAT KINDS OF BOOKS DO WE READ? 

All kinds! Sometimes, we read a classic, such as The Diary of Anne Frank. Sometimes, we read stories that have been censored, challenged, or banned, such as The Outsiders. Sometimes, we read dystopia, such as The Hunger Games. A lot of times, we read award-winning, realistic fiction. Sometimes, we argue about the book's value or believability. Sometimes, we all agree the book was fantastic. Regardless of the book selection or the students' opinions of the book, we always aim to HAVE FUN while developing our critical thinking skills and getting know each other. 

WHAT'S THE READING SCHEDULE LIKE? 

-We read one book each month. 
-We read an average of 60 - 100 pages each week. 
-We read each book in fourths. One fourths each week of the month. 
 
WHY WOULD WE EVER READ A BANNED BOOK? 

The answer lies in the power of perspective. Banned books often confront uncomfortable truths, shed light on marginalized voices, and challenge prevailing ideologies. By engaging with these texts, young readers not only expand their literary horizons but also develop a deeper understanding of complex issues such as censorship, discrimination, and injustice. Participants learn the value of questioning authority, standing up for their beliefs, and empathizing with experiences different from their own.

From classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" to modern gems like "The Hate U Give" every book is chosen for its ability to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire introspection. 

HOW I TEACH

Through discussions based on the Socratic method, students answer questions to provoke a meaningful conversation and deeper understanding of the text. Learners will analyze the literary elements and techniques. They will explore how these stories relate to their own lives and the world around them. 

TEACHING TOOLS 

I use slides, activities, games, video clips, and relevant articles and resources. 

CLASS STRUCTURE 

Check-in  (5 min) 
Review (3- 5 min) 
Book Discussion (20 - 25 min) 
Learn Something New: ELA Lesson  (10 - 15 min) 
Use What We Know: ELA Activity or Game  (10-15 min) 
Check-out 

WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT? 
-Literary terms and techniques, such as theme, plot, setting, climax, resolution, POV, figurative language, and character development. 
-Close reading skills 
-Using textual evidence to support opinions and predictions. 
-Theme: Learners learn what is a theme, how to identify themes in a story, and how to apply consider the themes to their life experience. 

WHAT/HOW DO WE DISCUSS THE STORY? 
-Learners consider their opinion of characters and how their opinion was formed by looking to the text. 
-Learners consider the author's tone, perspective, and intention. 
-Learners consider the role of the setting. 
-Learners consider the role of the narrator. 
-Learners answer creative thinking questions. 
-Learners consider the author's intentions as they relate to the characters' motivations. 
-Learners consider their own and other readers' biases. 
-Learners level up! They quickly leap past, "I don't know" as their answer when asked how they formed their inferences and opinions and instead consider, articulate, and support the "Why" behind their conclusions. 


BOOK SELECTIONS 
2025 

The list below is the intended book selections for each month. Book titles are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or group reading levels/speeds. I appreciate your understanding should adjustments be necessary. 

January: The New Kid Series by J. Craft 
February: NO CLASS DUE TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS 
March: Otherworld by Jason Segel & Kristin Miller 

April: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 

May: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 
June: 
July:
August: 

TEACHING STYLE

I believe students learn best when they are comfortable in the group and engaged with the content. I ask questions about the story that encourage reflection on themes and creative & critical thinking. If a student answers, "I don't know," when asked how they came to an inference or opinion, they're encouraged to dive into their Why (a.k.a., life experience) and refer to the text. In class, I like to use slides, prompts, activities, quiz games, video clips, or any resource that provides context to the story or invites deeper reflection and closer reading skills. 

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 
Our classroom is more dynamic when diverse. I welcome all cultures, races, gender identities, learning styles, abilities, and personalities. I enjoy encouraging ESL students, having experienced living and learning in another language myself, and I teach from a neurodivergent-affirming perspective. This means I believe neurodivergence is a difference, not a deficit, and support accommodations and education. Please don't hesitate to tell me about your learner and how I can best support them. 

INTERACTION 
Students interact with the teacher and each other throughout the 55-minute class.