Children who have signed up for the club read the book on their own, then meet twice as a group before school. At the first gathering, students discuss the story, their favorite characters, and usually what they’d want to change about the book. The second meeting is a project and activity that builds on the themes of the book. This year, Ms. Hoffman is creating a breakout game for each book. Students work together to solve various puzzles to open a locked box. The clues are all related to the book.
“I want them to enjoy popular, current titles that they might otherwise overlook,” said Ms. Hoffman.
Fourth-grade book clubs are reading "Liar & Spy," by Rebecca Stead, next. The fifth-grade book clubs are reading "Fuzzy Mud" by Louis Sachar and, next, "Amal Unbound" by Aisha Saeed.
“We start a trend,” said Ms. Hoffman. “We read a book in book club and other students come and check it out of the library.”