Can a book club help boys enjoy reading? 

Yes, says Erin O'Donnell, a mom of two boys and author of How to Start a Kids Book Club. She and a bunch of other moms started a mother/son book club when their sons were in 3rd grade, on the cusp of the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Some of the boys were already avid readers. Others were not.

"We were really hoping that peer pressure would be a powerful force in getting them to collectively enjoy books," Erin says.

Of course, the boys' club looks a little different than many typical book clubs. "Our meetings have often been chaotic, to be honest," Erin notes. The boys considered naming their club "The Barfing Book Boys" before settling on "The Lakeside Book Boys."

In this episode, Jen, Janet & Erin discuss:

How a book club can inspire reading and build relationships

Why boys must have a voice in the formation and functioning of their club

How to find discussion questions

The important role of food

How MOMS benefit from a mother/son book club

How BOYS benefit from book club

Using books to stimulate discussion about real issues and emotions

Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode:

How to Start a Kids Book Club -- Erin's Parents article

Common Sense Media -- mentioned at 33:50; great place for parents to check out a book's themes and topics

15 Great Book Group Picks

(Recommended by the Lakeside Book Boys)

Booked by Kwame Alexander

Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnet and Jory John

Wonder by RJ Palacio

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Boyea

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

The Lifters by Dave Eggers

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Posted by John David Anderson

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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