Book Clubs provide readers the opportunity to engage with stories on a deeper level and to practice critical thinking. Discussing a story with peers increases a student's ability to share their ideas and develop conversation skills, while listening to and processing the opinions of others. Members of a book club gain an appreciation of the story while enjoying a shared adventure, diverse perspectives and good company. And of course, clubs provide a great incentive to read!
Book clubs may examine and discuss: good reading strategies such as annotation and visualization, literary techniques such as metaphor, simile, cliff hanger, imagery, and symbolism, characteristics of different genre, related books and authors, and current or historical and personal connections to the story.
Resources about Book Clubs for kids:
Fountas & Pinnell Literary Blog discusses Book Clubs
The Literacy Brain