Book clubs play a crucial role in enabling conversations of different kinds!

Children's literature is an exciting space to be in today. So many wonderful authors writing amazing stories based on current matters to inform young readers. But plenty of care and effort goes into making these stories engaging and interesting to read, so that the intended message doesn't sound like 'advice' but instead enables the young reader to think.

One of the batches in the Young Readers' Club is currently reading The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf. The book very impactfully informs young readers about refugee crises that often happens due to war. A serious subject such as this one requires plenty of humor and characters that children can easily relate to. Especially for those who might have heard about war but not having lived through it, might find it hard to understand without relatable characters. The Boy At the Back of the Class has a lot to offer in terms of relatable characters, middle school dramas, interesting sweets and eateries, along with the subject of focus- refugee crisis.

As we read this book together little by little, readers share their honest reactions. They are so drawn into the plot and easy to relate scenes from school, they come up with ideas to ward off a potential bully or a show off.

Unexpectedly, recently we stumbled upon a particular description that set in motion a fascinating discussion about the writing approach.

The author talks about the narrator wanting to talk to her sapling as she thinks that it will her sapling grow well. The readers saw the narrator say words such as 'marshmallows', 'rainbows' and 'popcorn' while talking to the plant. It set in motion a very interesting discussion about the idea.

"How can these words help a plant grow?"

"These words are there to express happiness. They are meant for the readers. The readers will feel happy thinking about these words. Whether the plant can really respond or not is immaterial."

An eager reader who was sitting at the edge of his seat wanting to find out what would happen next, said,

"I have a sentence that will counter both your arguments. This is a story book and a lot of imagination is permitted. Can we please read further to find out what happens next?"

This little conversation has so much to takeaway from.

• the book is engaging and making the readers pause to think.

• they are appreciating the visual images and the writing style

• the content is filled with suspense

Can a young reader have more reasons to read and engage with a book?

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The Young Readers' Club is a book club for the 8-12 age group. We also do vocabulary building activities and mini writing lessons for a little variety!

Writing programs for the 9-12 age group- Young Writers' Club Jr.  

The Young Writers' Club program for the 13-16 age group offers a weekly platform to read and discuss curated articles from the news, observe writing approaches and practise one's writing skills.

NEW! Tween Tribune  is an online magazine for the Young Writers' Club (Jr.) program for tweens. Weekly updates of our discussions are published. Once in 6 months, the best of writing by the tween members is made available to read.

 NEW! Musings from the Young Writers' Club is an online magazine showcasing the work we do at the Young Writers' Club.

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