How to Start a Book Club at School

Last Updated: May 28, 2021

Lots of kids wish that their school had a book club, but very few actually have the drive to make it happen. If you're here, however, that means you do; so read on!

Steps

1
Think about if anyone at your school would join. Would it just be you and your friend? If so, it's probably not a good idea. If you think it would really be successful, however, read on.^{[1]
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2
Contact a school administrator for permission, preferably the principal. This can be done through e-mail or verbally. However you do it, make sure you're very mature and professional about it. Make sure they know that this is something that you really want to make happen.

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3
Find a teacher or parent to supervise. Ask around; without one, you can't do it. It is against school rules in every school district to have a school-sponsored gathering without an adult in authority to keep things under control.
4
Compose a list of books that you want to read. Keep in mind the age group and reading capabilities of your school even if you love Shakespeare, that doesn't mean that the rest of your elementary school will. Try to find something modern and hip. Harry Potter is overdone, so why not try such books as Maximum Ride, Daniel X, Alex Rider, Artemis Fowl, Hunger Games, etc.? All these are series, to retain interest, and have a modernized, adventurous feel.^{[2]
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- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.
- Just William by Richmal Crompton.
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
- Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling.
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura-Ingalls Wilder.
- Tracey Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson.
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
- Jungle Book by J. M. Barrie.
- The Famous Five go adventuring again by Enid Blyton.
- Allan Ahlberg.
- Roald Dahl.
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.
- Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz.
5
Think of a time to meet. How long do you think it will take them to read your designated book? One to two months is recommended, respectively; you don't want to rush or discourage them. Also, you don't want it to clash with other meetings or athletic practice. Keep it short, too; an hour or so.^{[3]
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6
Know what you'll actually be doing. Don't just assume that they'll want to just talk about the developing relationship between Max and Fang; bring in themed treats, play games and do activities that relate to the books you're reading.^{[4]
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7
Get some members! Go way public. Put up posters around school and at your local library, add something to the school's morning announcements, send a mass e-mail. Emphasize what you'll be doing, and you'll be sure to find some loyal members. Also, make sure they know what book they need to have read.
8
Establish some rules. Make sure that this isn't just a social hour, it's a book club.^{[5]
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9
Let people know when the next meeting will be. After the meeting, make sure that they know when the next one is. You don't want people to show up at the wrong time, or not at all.

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Community Q&A

Question

What can I discuss in a book club?

Community Answer

Discuss the chapters you were recently reading, talk about the setting, the characters' emotions and the main problem of the book.
Question

What if the principal does not allow me to begin a book club at school?

Community Answer

Explain the benefits and what it would bring to the school. Also say that it can be educational so you can help all the participating students to create great essays and a good book analysis. Perhaps show some videos of successful book club experiences. You might like to ask your parents to act as a support team too.
Question

I'm having trouble creating a book club because my school is very small and only has one library. Do you have any suggestions?

Community Answer

Try meeting at a local library. If the kids in the book club have library cards, you could also use books from that library.
Question

How do I start a book club if not all of the members can read the same book?

Community Answer

The best thing to do would be to come up with a group of people who can all read the same books. It would be very difficult to conduct a book club where everyone was reading different things. Alternatively, you could split your book club up into smaller groups (by ages, for example).
Question

What if we are granted permission from the principal and actually start our book club, but no one's interested? Then what can we do?

Community Answer

Put up posters in your halls and hand out flyers about your book club. For your first book, choose something you know people are interested in, maybe a book you've heard others talk about, or one that's been made into a popular movie. Also, be patient. Maybe your book club will attract more members over time.
Question

Does it have to be a series of books and can it be the Bible?

Community Answer

No. You do not have to read a series of books in a book club and yes, you can read the Bible, but this would be considered a Bible study and not a book club.
Question

Where is a good place to meet for a book club other than school?

Community Answer

The local library, or, if the group is small, you can gather at a quiet and a non-crowded café.
Question

What if there is already a book club at my school, but it is not open to my grade, even though I'm an advanced reader?

Community Answer

You can join book clubs at your local public library, or get special permission to join the book club at your school.
Question

What do you normally do in school-run book clubs?

Community Answer

You all read the same book, then discuss it: what you liked, what you didn't like etc.
Question

What are ways to get books for a book club if a library does not have one?

Community Answer

You could ask your parents to get the books from a nearby bookshop or you may ask your members if they have the specific book.