New for this year is the ambitious plan to have every single pupil in S1 reading a book in a mini book club.

The idea originated from the USA where literacy circles, as they are also called, have been on the go for over 20 years.

So far 100 pupils have selected their title and over 20 book groups created. Pupils will initially have to read only the first chapter to get a flavour of their read and create their own little character card which be displayed in the library like bunting or early Christmas decorations.

Once pupils are settled into their books and their groups they will then be given jobs – such as discussion director and literary luminary. Each job is like a jigsaw piece and when the whole group comes together they will have a fuller picture of what the novel is really about.

Our final plan is to create book trailers to promote books to pupils at the school and perhaps the wider public. Once the trailer is complete it will be hosted on YouTube and then we can create a QR code (one of those square barcodes you often see on adverts). We can take those codes and put them on the back of books in school and community library, thus allowing borrowers to sample our book group’s opinions of the book.

The whole idea is to get pupils reading and talking about books. Pupils are more likely to make literary connections when working in a group and hopefully will enjoy the process. Pupils will have to read at least one book to get the benefit of the scheme but can read many more if they like; learning more skills along the way.
With the support of the librarian and teachers and parents and of course the group I am hoping that every each and every pupil will enjoy this scheme and that it will give them the impetus to keep on reading into S2 and beyond.

If you would like to know any more about the scheme them please contact me at the library during school hours.
Mrs B