The Kids' Book Club Book: Reading Ideas, Recipes, Activities, and Smart Tips for Organizing Terrific Kids' Book Clubs

by Judy Gelman, Vicki Levy Krupp

The first complete guide-for use by adults and children-to creating fun and educational book clubs for kids.

As authors of The Book Club Cookbook, the classic guide to integrating great food and food-related discussion into book club gatherings, Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp hear a common refrain from parents, librarians, teachers, community leaders and kids themselves: "How about writing a book for kids' book clubs?" Indeed, in recent years youth organizations, parents, libraries, schools, and our local, state, and federal governments have launched thousands of book clubs for children as a way to counter falling literacy rates and foster a love of reading. Based on surveys representing five hundred youth book clubs across the country and interviews with parents, kids, educators, and librarians, The Kids' Book Club Book features:

_- the top fifty favorite book club reads for children ages eight to eighteen;
_- ideas and advice on forming great kids' book clubs-and tips for kids who want to start their own book clubs;
_- recipes, activities, and insights from such bestselling children's book authors as Christopher Paolini, Lois Lowry, Jerry Spinelli, Nancy Farmer, Christopher Paul Curtis, Andrew Clements, Laurie Halse Anderson, Norton Juster, and many others.

From recipes for the Dump Punch and egg salad sandwiches included in Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie to instructionson how to make soap carvings like the ones left in the knot-hole of a tree in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, this book provides a bounty of ideas for making every kids' book club a success.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Education, Professional Development, Childrens

480 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2007

About the author

Judy Gelman is co-author of The Book Club Cookbook: Recipes and Food for Thought from Your Book Club's Favorite Books and Authors (Penguin, 2004), the first cookbook designed for book discussion groups, and The Kids' Book Club Book: Reading Ideas, Activities, and Smart Tips for Organizing Terrific Kids' Book Clubs (Penguin, 2007) and Table of Contents: From Breakfast with Anita Diamant to Dessert with James Patterson - a Generous Helping of Recipes, Writings and Insights from Today's Bestselling Authors (Adams, 2010). She is co-author of The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook. She is the co-creator of bookclubcookbook.com.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Available through ACLA. This one is hefty, with 50 titles specifically highlighted, with author bios, book blurbs, recipes, discussion questions, and related activities for each. The focus on food is a bit much, but makes sense considering the authors' first book was The Book Club Cookbook. Book list is a little dated now (originally published 2007) and I'm not using any of the titles in particular, but I like the inclusion of other activities and the intro on how to make a book club and lead a discussion generally. Not exactly what I needed but I'd consult again.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book pairing ideas!

I really enjoyed the activities and bites that each story has with it. Though we are not currently in a book club, the activities are going to make our homeschool reading come to life.

[N.J. Danatangelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful, if not dated, tips and resources for helping start a book club with children.

[Brittney Hardiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas, hoping to start an elementary book club and there were lots of great tips in here.

[Laura-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be donating this to Crossway Community Center where I am sure it will do a lot of good for others.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable resource for teachers, parents, and students alike. Well-researched, comprehensive collection of featured titles for a wide variety of ages and tastes. Includes synopsis, extension activities, craft ideas, recipes, and more.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas for teachers and parents. It made me remember all the fun I had with with Anne of Green Gables, my son's Artemis Fowl days, and my daughter's passion for the Red Wall series. This book reminds us to have fun with reading and make as many connections to books as possible!

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and quick read. Interesting book that will help in starting and promoting book clubs. After giving the tips in starting the book clubs the book deals with the various activities that one can take up in the book clubs.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Validation. I was looking for inspiration for my own book clubs and found it. Although I haven't used any of the BOOKS suggested, there are fun ideas to be found and adapted.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot's of great ideas for a children's book club, as well as many age appropriate book recommendations.

[Angelina Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book seems to be a little dated but has great ideas and is a good platform for clubs with upper elementary and lower middle school ages.

[Sundy DeGooyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to start a book club with my daughters! This book was inspiring!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been an excellent resource for starting a book club at the "Book Spot" bookstore.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book is about organizing a club while the 2nd half is specific books and ideas. I only read the first half and found it helpful.