West Salem Book Club

Here are the selections for our Fall 2009 Book Club:

Second Grade
October 27
9:30 - 10:30
Not My Dog by Colby Rodowsky

Third Grade
October 28
8:30 - 9:30
Nasty Stinky Sneakers by Eve Bunting

Fourth Grade
October 29
8:30 - 9:30
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli

Fifth Grade
October 30
8:30-9:15
Frindle by Andrew Clements

The club provides an opportunity for students to read great book selections and meet in small groups during a grade level celebration to discuss what they’ve read.  The book club events, called celebrations, will be held during the school day in the cafeteria. They are led by parent volunteers and other members of the community who care about literacy.  While at the celebrations, students are able to write a review of the book and participate in an activity related to the book. Keep an eye out for student reviews that will be posted on the West Salem website and in the school newsletter!

The school has several copies of the book club selections.  They are available for check-out in Mrs. Brammer’s and Mrs. Coffey’s Reading Rooms.  If you would prefer to purchase your own book, the titles are available in paperback from local bookstores and on-line booksellers.  (And, don’t forget your local library!)  A student does not have to own the book in order to participate. The book can be read individually by the student or as a family read aloud. We’re hoping this year’s book club gets off to a great start!  Please encourage your child to join, and we encourage your involvement as well.  We think the kids will enjoy the Winter selections and we can’t wait to discuss these memorable books!

We are also doing a special "Beginnning Readers Night" for first graders and their parents, so they will have a chance to participate in something special, but this is different from a book club celebration.

Kindergarteners will have their special Dr. Seuss celebration in the cafeteria on Read Across America Day in March.

"It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations - something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own."
Katherine Paterson