How to Start a Book Club With Your Child

If you love to read and want to encourage your child to do the same, why not start a book club together? Just like adult book clubs, a book club with your child can give you a chance to discuss your favorite passages and chapters from stories that both of you have read.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide who you would like to invite to join your book club. If you have more than one child, perhaps this is something you could all do together. Or maybe some of your child's friends would like to join.
2. Go to the library or book store with your child and anyone else who will be participating. Your book club will likely require an outing together to choose that perfect book.
3. Choose a book for the appropriate reading level. If your child is a beginning reader, look for simple chapter books like Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones series or the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parrish. For older readers, check your school library for book suggestions, or visit websites like Scholastic.com for age appropriate suggestions. You can also check out Amazon.com to read reviews of books that others have purchased.
4. Read the book. Allow the book club members to read at their own pace. Some may finish the book in a few days, others may need a few weeks.
5. Pick a date that you will discuss your book club selection.
6. Plan questions and topics to discuss. Your first book club meeting will set the tone for future meetings. Ask the participants what they liked about the book and what they didn’t like. Have them name their favorite character and to tell why the character is so appealing. Then ask them to name the character they least liked. Ask if they they surprised by the ending of the book. Allow your discussion to be an open forum, where each participant has a chance to express their opinions.
7. Enjoy a snack together. Have a simple snack like cookies and juice or fruit after your discussion. This will make it feel more like an “adult” book club. You can even do like Oprah and host a book club dinner. Order pizzas or other fun food.
8. Choose your next book club book. Alternate who gets to choose the book each time, and plan the date for your next book club meeting.