Middle school students who enjoy reading and a bit of competition should consider joining the middle school reading team.
The reading team, also known as a book club among its members, allows students to compete against other schools in a competition about the books that they read.
“I chose to join [Book] Club because I enjoy reading and I want to read and discuss books that I’m reading with others,” said freshman Ari LeFevre, a member of the team last year.
The club has had a positive impact on the students who have done them in the past, according to freshman Rachel Pedersen.
“Book Club was a major part of middle school for me; I loved being able to connect with other students from both our school and others over something we all had in common,” Peterson said.
Seventh-grade English Teacher Gwen Miller is the adviser for the middle school reading team.
This first competition of the 2024-2025 season is on November 20th at Bellwood.
The middle school group has nine members but needs two or three more to complete the team.
The competitions typically start at 4:30 pm so students leave at the end of the school day for the competition.
The group gets a list of 30 books in a range of genres and lengths.
Some of the books on recent reading team lists are “Artemis Fowl” by Eion Colfer, “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woods, “Cicada Summer” by Andrea Beaty, and “So B. It” by Sarah Weeks, “Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai, “The Leanin’ Dog”, and “Lily’s Crossing” by Patricia Reilly Giff.
Freshman Mars George, who was on the team last year, was one of the first book club members and would like to encourage others to join the team.
“My first competition was scary because I had never done it before but after we started the competition it became fun,” George said.
At a competition, there are three rounds. Teams compete one on one in the same classroom and are asked 30 questions about the books. There are 15 questions for each team and if a group gets a question wrong the other team has an opportunity to steal the point. The tema with the most points wins the round.
“I enjoyed how it combined reading and a competitive nature,” freshman Gabby Bruner said.
Many returning members said that they are excited to compete again this year. They said the environment is highly welcoming and the people are very friendly.
Several former members who are now in high school would like to see a book club for the high school. The only thing needed is three adults to come to the competitions.
Despite the stereotype of students being addicted to their phones, some prefer to spend time reading a book over scrolling social media. Undoubtedly, adding a book club to the high school would help those still in love with the amazing hobby of reading.
Students interested in getting more information about the team should see Ms. Miller in the middle school.
