Summer Book Club for Avid Readers

Does your learner love curling up with a good book on their bed or in a hammock in their spare time?  Or are they a little more reluctant to choose reading voluntarily, and you want a way to spark that love of reading in them?  Students in this class will independently read a contemporary young adult book each week, including historical fiction, nonfiction, and a graphic novel, and then come together to discuss it during class time.  This is an excellent opportunity to keep your child reading for fun, in a way that is truly engaging and enjoyable. 

The weekly breakdown and book selections are below, and the books will need to be read in their entirety before the class where they are to be discussed.  Students are welcome to read their own copy of the book, or a library copy.  Listening to the audiobook is also a great way to read these selections. The book selections are generally viewed as appropriate for the age level of this class, but please see the Parental Guidance section to ensure that the readings are appropriate for your child and family. 

Week 1: Poetry discussion and course overview, "There Are Birds Here" by Jamaal May (nothing to be completed before class)

Week 2: "Words on Fire" by Jennifer A. Neilsen   (This historical fiction novel is based on true events in Lithuania in the late 1800's when reading, writing, and even speaking Lithuanian was forbidden. This novel tells of Audra, who is suddenly thrust into a world without her parents where she discovers the strength of her people amid persecution. )

Week 3: "The Island at the End of Everything" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Based on true events and places, a young girl is torn from everything she knows and loves, including her mother who suffers from leprosy. This beautifully written story tells of her courage as she seeks a way back home, to the island at the end of everything.)

Week 4:  "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei with Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker ( This graphic novel tells the true story of George Takei's experiences in Japanese Interrment camps during WW2).

Week 5: "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba, Young Reader's Edition (This book is the true story of William Kamkwamba in central Malawi who faces famine and hardship. When he is unable to attend school, he teaches himself, with books from a local library, and builds a windmill to provide electricity to his home and village.)

What will each week look like?  The vast majority of each week will be spent discussing student questions about the book. Students will write and submit questions to me before the beginning of each class (Blooms Taxonomy question starters will be provided).  Questions might range from, "What was the main idea of the book?" to "Was (x character) good or bad?" "Why did a character make a certain decision?" "What impact did the historical setting have on the character's actions and thoughts?" "Would you have made the same decision?" and more.  

Who would do well in this class?  This class is a great choice for students who love to read, and who are able to complete a novel a week.  Students who don't enjoy reading, but are willing to listen to the audio book version, will also do well in this class.  Students who like to talk and discuss, as well as those who prefer to sit and listen, are all welcome.