Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids, and Families

by Rita Soltan

Book clubs are sprouting up all over, and so are book club guides―but not all book club guides are equal. Many focus on a specific type of book club, or they take a generic approach of one size fits all; and most do not take into account the special needs of librarians and educators working with young readers. This guide has it all, and it will help you ensure that your book club meetings are both fun and educational. Focusing on children in grades 3-8 (and their families), the book offers 100 ready-made book club instructions for popular children's and YA titles―from newer releases, such as Theresa Nelson's Ruby Electric and Blue Balliett's Chasing Vermeer to perennial favorites and award-winning classics, such as Johanna Hurwitz's Much Ado about Aldo and Gary Soto's Baseball in April and Other Stories . Along with thought-provoking discussion questions, you'll find all the background information you need to conduct lively book discussions with a variety of readers-plot summary, themes and characters description, genre, reading level, author and award information, related reads, and more. The guide describes four types of family-oriented book clubs―family, mother/daughter, father/son, and readers' rap―as well as a book club for kids only. The author provides practical instructions for making each type of book club successful. For each title, she provides a plot summary, characterization sketches, questions to use for provocative discussion, and follow-up bibliographies on similar reads. Notes on genres, themes, and reading levels are also provided. The selected titles reflect some of the best, most current, and most popular children's literature. In addition, a broad scope of genres and multicultural titles are included. Perfect for public library programs and after school book clubs, this is a one-stop resource, with practical, ready-made plans that can easily be adapted to multiple environments. Grades 3-8.

Genres: Books About Books, Reference, Nonfiction

372 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of ideas for titles to use in children's book clubs, although these lists are showing the book's age (originally published in 2006, so no books published after 2005 or so). Each book has a description and a list of discussion questions. Too much of the book is given over to gender-specific lists (Mother-Daughter and Father-Son book clubs) as if people can only read books about their own gender. I find that a frustrating perspective but it doesn't damage the recommendation of individual books. Nothing terribly useful to me, since I'm hoping to include more activities related to books and less sitting-and-talking in my kids' book club. Still, this book is fine for what it is.

[Kathy McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of ideas; good discussion resources. Found material for books I already use in my class, ideas for my middle school book club, and some possible new books to add to both.

[Jessie Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comprehensive book club guide offers both generalized and specific information about the successful facilitation of a book club for children ages eight to thirteen. Instead of settling within a niche, Reading Raps covers mother/daughter, father/son, family, and general reading clubs with extensive book suggestions for each group. Soltan begins this reference book with a chapter concerning the general management of book clubs, with advice on how to go beyond a provided script. Books both older and more recent have book club prompts. Each of the potential book club selections features a short plot synopsis, main characterization, themes, books with similar themes, author-related sources, and possible discussion questions. These alone could guide a new librarian through the first several book club meetings. They can also be used as a fast resource for the librarian without enough time to develop a book club plan entirely from scratch. The clear organizational style of this book makes it highly searchable by “book club group,” author, genre, grade level, theme, and title. The only drawback to this book being bound in paper form is that updates are not possible. Books published after this resource are not taken into consideration, although tips are provided for creating a book club session from scratch. This programming reference book is highly recommended to librarians and other book club facilitators.

[Elaine Bearden]

has great book disc questions for different books