Book clubs are an effective way to foster a love for reading in people of all ages, but they can be particularly helpful in promoting literacy within children and teenagers. They can have a variety of benefits for students, from encouraging the act of picking up a book, to motivating quieter individuals in finding a community that brings them out of their shell. Let’s explore some of the ways that book clubs can help their members!

Book clubs can help students sharpen many important skills like spelling and pronunciation, a more diversified vocabulary, reading fluency, and research skills.[1] Most book club meetings have a section dedicated to reading short passages from their current novel, which allows students to practice reading out loud. In doing so, their clarity improves as they develop a reading rhythm. With each new read, book clubs facilitate the acquisition of new words into their vocabulary and serve as a place to discuss and understand how to make use of them later. In other words, book clubs make good writers! Furthermore, in the process of choosing books to read, to which students are often involved, younger students can engage in light research pertaining to topics that appeal to them, while older students may choose to find out more about things like the inspiration behind the novel. Therefore, book clubs suggest different ways for students to engage with the content.

In addition, students are able to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through group discussions.[2] By discussing plot points, a character’s actions, or even theorizing future conflicts within a book, students absorb the skills necessary to deal with new situations and to self-reflect. In a similar manner, students are often reading about new people with lives and quirks that are either very different from their own, or are people they can relate closely to. Regardless of either concept for any given book, students get to see different topics and themes from the perspective of others, and within their group discussions, they are able to express ideas, questions, and opinions that were prompted by their reading.[2] In this, students are given a place to express themselves and improve upon or learn effective communication skills. These are integral benefits, as they can lead to a wider array of important conversations, thus giving students the opportunity to learn from their books and one another simultaneously.

Another beneficial aspect of reading in group settings is that it helps students to connect with each other, which illustrates how book clubs can be a safe space for many![3] Some students may find small group conversations to be more inviting than classroom settings, so they are more likely to not only volunteer their opinion, but to actively participate and engage with others.[4] It’s a good way for students to socialize, and in many cases they will leave their meetings with new friends, or look forward to seeing everyone the next time they meet. Additionally, since book clubs are typically a democracy in the way they are led— that is to say the group may vote on what to read, when to meet, and what to discuss—students get to experience some independence, self-accountability and learn to structure their own time.[5] These skills are important to have in various situations and in times where they won’t have a rigid daily schedule, like summer breaks or even college. 

Between building literacy skills, providing space for self-reflection and self-expression, and helping students obtain other transferable skills, starting or joining a book club at any age is a great way to help students grow. The development of media literacy, in an age with continuously evolving technology and rapid production of information, is indispensable and can be easily nurtured through a book club. [4]

PSG

Publishing Solutions Group is dedicated to creating content for products that support student literacy and make reading an appealing activity for all. Through understanding the effect that a reading community can have on young readers, we strive to meet the needs of educators/clients who implement this type of initiative.

[1] https://theliteracybrain.com/2019/07/30/the-benefits-of-book-clubs/

[2] https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/news-press/book-clubs-that-build-21st-century-skills

[3] https://wingsforkids.org/book-clubs-for-sel-skill-building

[4] https://libromaniacs.com/benefits-of-a-book-club/

[5] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1171691.pdf

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