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HOW TO START YOUR OWN READERS CIRCLE
Step 1: The Five Ws: Who, What, Where, When, and Why?
Who to Start a Club With: Should you ask just friends and family to join, or include others who might be interested? Do you want more members your own age, or a more varied group?
What: What kinds of books will you read? Will you discuss the whole book or a few chapters per session? Will you expect readers to prepare questions ahead of time?
Where: Your group will need to decide where to meet -- for example, in a member's home or maybe your local bookstore. How about your school or public library? Will the location change at every meeting?
When: How often will you meet? Once a month? Every other week? How long will each meeting last?
Why: To have fun with your friends while enjoying great books!
Step 2: Spreading the Word
It's time to get the word out -- whether it's with your closest friends or fellow classmates! But how do you get everyone together? You could start a phone chain or design flyers and hang them in your favorite stores around the mall or in your local bookstore, school or library. How about placing an ad in your school newspaper or bulletin? Or sending out a mass e-mail?
Step 3: First Meeting
Start with discussion questions located in all Readers Circle books to get people talking. If there's a lull in the conversation, remember to fall back on the five basic discussion-starters: author, setting, plot, character, and themes.
Step 4: Spice Up Your Meetings
Have fun with it! The main point of your book group is to enjoy being with your friends. Here are some ideas to make your gatherings fun and interesting:
Use a Food Theme: Does the setting of your book inspire something culinary? If the story takes place in the South, members could bring snacks with a southern flavor. If London is the locale, how about high tea and scones?
Movie Time: Get the group together to see the movie version of HOLES. Comparing the book to the performance always makes for interesting conversation.
Expand Your Horizons: A lot of books introduce readers to a different culture or period in history. Researching and learning more about the culture can be a project for your group; additional information can come from your local library or museum or even your computer. Some Readers Circle books offer a page of related Internet sites for more information.
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