Rita Soltan

This book contains resources to successfully run a book club for children. The format is simple with each book entry containing basic information like age group as well as a plot summary, main characterization, and themes. What makes this particular resource so valuable is that it also contains a bibliography that gives recommendations for other books like it as well as a source list that point to information about the author. Perhaps most importantly is a list of pre-made discussion questions that a book club leader can adapt and use for book club discussions. The book is great for a the quickly pulled together book club activity and librarians or book club leaders that work with children will love it for that reason. Recommended.… (more)

This comprehensive book club guide offers both generalized and specific information about the successful facilitation of a book club for children ages eight to thirteen. Instead of settling within a niche, Reading Raps covers mother/daughter, father/son, family, and general reading clubs with extensive book suggestions for each group. Soltan begins this reference book with a chapter concerning the general management of book clubs, with advice on how to go beyond a provided script. Books both older and more recent have book club prompts. Each of the potential book club selections features a short plot synopsis, main characterization, themes, books with similar themes, author-related sources, and possible discussion questions. These alone could guide a new librarian through the first several book club meetings. They can also be used as a fast resource for the librarian without enough time to develop a book club plan entirely from scratch. The clear organizational style of this book makes it highly searchable by “book club group,” author, genre, grade level, theme, and title. The only drawback to this book being bound in paper form is that updates are not possible. Books published after this resource are not taken into consideration, although tips are provided for creating a book club session from scratch. This programming reference book is highly recommended to librarians and other book club facilitators.… (more)