Thursday, April 26, 2012

Building a "provocative" book club

So some of you may know that I'm in the embryonic stages of starting a community YA book club that focuses on issue books. I've been interested in this ever since Simone Elkeles mentioned to me that she did book club in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

My MSW friends have offered to help and we'll be working in conjunction with clinicians and pediatricians in the community to find kids who would be interested in something like this. Luckily, I happen to know clinicians and pediatricians and social workers who have A LOT of heart for this idea. We had a BIG meeting today to brainstorm over how to run something like this because it actually takes a lot of parts.

We need space for the book club (thank you, library). We need teens to be in it. We need books. We need book club questions. We need resource information (since we're dealing with issue books, we thought it would be good to have resources available on the issues). And we need PARENTAL CONSENT.

Julio asked me why I would get involved with something that is seemingly a TREMENDOUS amount of work. My answer was very simple, but also very true:


And in case you haven't read the article "Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood" from Sherman Alexie, I'm linking it here.

10 comments:

Melissa Sarno said...

I love that you are taking this on. I think it is so, incredibly important. I hadn't read that article but now I have, so thank you for sharing that. Good luck :)

Jolene Perry said...

I just blogged about content and importance the other day... among being snarky to people who are prudish about sex, but love vampires *ahem

Anyway - I love, love, love that you're doing this. LOVE.

Jessica Love said...

This is SO AWESOME. What a great idea...I bet you'll have a great reception. :-)

E. Arroyo said...

I also think this is a great idea and a huge undertaking. I'd love to help. The organization I work for had an event and we were able to get a sponsor for books. I work with organizations who provide services to youth. Anyway, shoot me an email if you think you can use me. =)
elizabeth.arroyo5@gmail.com

Elodie said...

Have people told you recently how AMAZING you are? This is a wonderful idea, Christa. You simply rock!

Mandie Baxter said...

You do great work! :D

KatOwens: Insect Collector said...

Great idea, Christa. I hope you'll keep sharing with us as it develops. :0)

Alexis Bass said...

This is so, so awesome. I look forward to hearing
more about it as it develops!

Jenny S. Morris said...

SOOO awesome. It's really cool that you do have the resources at your fingertips. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.

Jessica Silva said...

you're frickin' amazing. you're gunna start something just as amazing, too.