Our high school library book club borrows book sets from the public library so we do not have to purchase books. We also invite an author to our final meeting of the school year so our members can talk to a published author in a casual setting. I like the idea of field trips. Will try to incorporate that idea this year.

I'm using a wiki with my very lively high school group. I started with a Google form to find out about them and get their ideas for books to read,fundraisers and other activities they want to do. I made another survey from their reading recommendations to find out what books they want to read together. The wiki has an agenda page, which includes such things as links to proposed tee shirt ideas we'll vote on at the next meeting.

These suggestions are great but a little obvious. Specifically, could you recommend some titles beyond "Hunger Games"? How do you get teens to come in the first place in order to elect officers, etc.? What about kids who just come, time after time, to eat, who don't read and don't care to sit for a discussion about something they know nothing about? We are a public library and have trouble finding a good time for everybody and then getting transportation for them, as well.

Our Lit Circle has a completely different approach. I try to give the students more ownership by having them, with parental permission, read and analyze the material before it goes on the shelf. First I purchase the books which are a even mix of my choices and student requests.I have found that what appeals to me or the ALA might not appeal to my kids, so as long as their requests are age appropriate, I get them. Each book is read by a minimum of three members and then brought to the table for discussion, i.e., plot, character development, sexual content, language, etc. Then we decide which readers it would attract and if it is a match for our school (we have yet to turn one down). Works great, promotes interest in the books and like I said, it gives ownership to the students.

There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry. This traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of toll; How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul! Emily Dickinson One thing I have found is that I am never bored if I have a good book at the ready. http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com Tom Degan Goshen, NY

We just had our first freshman book club meeting yesterday at my high school library! The energy was high and we had fun. We read the Hunger Games as our first read. I showed an interview with Suzanne Collins, I had a sign up for Team Peeta and Team Gale that the kids stood by and signed before they left. I had signs up for each main character and they tore out celeb pictures from old People mags who they thought would play each character, prize drawings and cookies. It was great! We had 60 freshman join our club for this first title...my only concern is too many kids and not enough money to buy copies of books. Admin has been supportive, but I don't know for how long! Wendy Grojean Bellevue East High School LIbrarian Bellevue, NE

Our middle school book club requires that an adult come with the student. This can be a challenge sometimes. Previously, we met early mornings. This year, I decided to be more flexible and alternate it from morning to lunch hour. The way I encourage students/parents/adults to participate is speaking at the open house, curriculum night, PTA, media orientatin and any other school events. A few parents normally get excited and encourage their child. I also get my language arts teachers to promote it. Normally, I select novels around different holidays or celebrations. I do take suggestions and requests from parents and students.

Our reading club's name is RAD (Reading and Dining). We read a book and come together during the lunch period, have a special lunch, and discuss the book. Our principal has been so supportive of this. We began with 3 members 3 years ago and now we have 15. We have open enrollment all year, so joining can be done at anytime. We have regular club meetings twice a month on the 2nd and 4th RAD Wednesdays. This year the students have decided to design a T-Shirt, and this will be the first year we have fund raisers. Love doing this.

I am looking for suggestions on creating a Book Club that allows members to read thir choice of a book on a list that I prepare. During meetings, each member shares something about the story with the group; topics like plot, character development, etc. We are an altervative education/continuation school with students who are not interested in reading for pleasure. Has anyone out there ever managed a MS/HS Book Club this way?

Thank you for the information, everybody! The idea of a fun teenage literary program is exciting and inspirational to me. I appreciate the ideas shared here and am motivated to continue developing and evolving our current programs. To C.Wilson, may I share some suggestions that have worked well in our area? I live in Alaska and have faced some similar obstacles that you have. To increase attendance and attract teenage participation in our groups, I start with the teens themselves. I ask them what they like/don't like and have them spread the word amongst their friends. They can choose how they want to share--electronically (I send out emails/postings about our programs) or via word of mouth/paper (I make bookmarks that give the basics of each of our programs and the kids will disburse them amongst friends). It helps to have the teens take charge of participation, as they seem to recruit others who have a good idea of what they're getting into and what's expected. Also, I like to work with our local schools. I'm a big advocate of information sharing, so I've found it helpful to go to where the kids are and talk to the school librarians/administrative assistants to ask for help in advertising. (They're more than happy to post information and spread the word.) At my library, we too have experienced teens showing up "just to eat" and you know what? That's okay with us! We're happy to have them and try to get them engaged in the material. As a facilitator, it can be a bit distracting to have a few kids show up that aren't interested in what the enire group is doing. For those few kids, we created a separate program. I was straighforward with them and asked, "What do you want?" Wow, did they answer! We now have a "teen lounge" program complete with food, games, video games, laptops, etc. For the students who just want to hang out, this is the perfect program. It still gets them into the library, yet they're not distracting from a literary program. Also, they're spreading the word to their friends, which in turns bring in more participants. These are only a few ideas that worked for us. I wish you the best in your programming and hope the solutions you seek are found sooner than later :). Best wishes in programming...our communities need it!