Book clubs are for kids too!

How to start a children's reading group

​Why should grown up book clubs have all the fun? Several of my reading group friends have children with their very own book club. Whether it's an all girl club, boys or coed, parents just want to see their kids' noses stuck in a book and loving it. Reading together outside of school should not look like a chore so go beyond book club and make it fun!

A kindly reminder to parents:  Let the children choose the novels. Have a list of titles ready with short descriptions and let the kids  decide on the book they want to read or a raise of hands and the majority wins.

Choose your age group

Toddlers and Preschoolers
Keep it simple! You will have a very limited time (you think?) to book club with this age group. If you are already involved in a parent group ask if they want to implement a reading group into your time together.  If you meet once a week decide on a book that is age appropriate for 2 to 5 years old. Have a parent read the book out loud and then encourage the little ones to say whether they liked it and why. Follow up with a snack or better yet have them snack while you read. Starting a book club for the little ones will plant the reading seeds for them to continue this tradition as they grow
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​​Grade school -  Kids ages 6 to 12 can meet after school once a week at a parents home or at their school. Ask your child's teacher if they would allow the book club to meet after school in any available classroom, supervised of course. Have a sign up sheet for snacks so everyone can take a turn bringing something yummy.  Snacks that represent the book would add a fun touch! 

Preteen and up -  This age group needs little guidance. They might want to meet once a month at a coffee house after school, in a parents home, or in their school. Every school has multiple clubs so why not a middle school or high school book club?  Elect a president and vice president and meet at school to discuss your read.  Teens can decide if they want to be a genre type book club or read novels that are not the norm in the school curriculum such as fantasy, science fiction, or books turned into movies.

Choose your books

Toddler to Preschool - Start them young!  Check out baby literature books Pride and Prejudice. and more titles. Introducing the little ones to classics!

Grade School - Amazon book recommendations for age groups 6 to 8 years old - 9 to 12 years old

Preteen and up - What are teens reading?  Check out Amazon's teen and young adult book page from Sci-Fi & Fantasy, biographies, love and friendship it's all there
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Choose your groups style

Meet once a month to discuss or go beyond with a theme style book club. Theme style book clubs can be based on a genre of books or celebrating a holiday or an event that kids will be super excited to be a part of.  

Genre Themes:

• Mystery book club - Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, John Grisham's Theodore Boone series, Encyclopedia Brown
• Science Fiction and Fantasy book club - The Giver, ​A Wrinkle in Time, Star Wars Jedi Academy series, Seven Wonders series
• Biography book club - Who Were and Who Was books
• Classic book club- Classic Starts Series
• Favorite books only club - share and read books that are your personal ultimate favorite!

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Holiday reading~
Kids love to celebrate and read holiday books. Get them together for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, 4th of July and so forth. Choose a book to match the holiday season

School break reading~
Have a book club only in the summer months.  Plan all of your book clubs outside and picnic in a backyard, park, or the beach. Bring your lunch and a treat to share

Other book club themed parties~
Tea book club party - read Alice in Wonderland, Little Princess, The Secret Garden, An American Girl books and discuss books over tea and crumpets

Book to movie - Choose novels that have been turned into movies.  Read the book then go see the movie or rent it. Have popcorn and drinks ready. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pippi Longstocking, Pete's Dragon The Lost Years, The BFG by Roald Dahl, the list is endless!

Read how to start a book club for more step by step ideas on getting started and kiddie size it ​