Middle School Book Discussion

Part of my library’s summer reading program involves 2 different middle school (grades 5 – 8) book discussions.  The first is called “Literary Lunch” and is an hour long book discussion once a week for five weeks during lunch time.  The students bring their lunch and the library provides some snacks and drinks.  We try and keep these books relatively short, because the students only have one week to read the whole book and we usually get between 10 – 15 students attending each week which is the ideal amount for a great discussion.  We always include trivia at the end of the discussion and often include another activity.  For example, this summer one of the books we’ll be discussing is Chasing Vermeer by Blue Baillett, so the students are going ot get a chance to play with pentaminoes.

The second  book discussion we offer is a 1/2 hour program on Monday evening for five weeks.  We offer the students two different books to choose from and have two employees lead the discussion, usually one children’s librarian and often a college employee for the summer.  These books are often 200 pages and the book discussion includes trivia as well.  Following this book discussion, is a 1/2 hour program called Library Jeopardy, played just like the game show – but focused all on children’s literature.

If you’re looking for some great books for a classroom discussion, for a library book discussion, or even just a discussion at home with your children, check out our choice for this summer!

Literary Lunch
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Fair Weather by, Richard Peck
The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Monday Night Program
Amelia Lost – Candace Fleming
Crash by Jerry Spinelli
The Eye of the Crow – Shane Peacock
Inside Out and Back Again – Thanhha Lai
Operation Yes! – Sara Holmes
Riding Freedom – Pam Munoz Ryan
Seedfolks – Paul Fleischman
Smile – Raina Telgemeier
The Switch – Anthony Horowitz
Tuck Everlasting – Natalie Babbitt
Weasel – Cynthia DeFelice