Student Led Book Club a Big Success

It may be the last day of school, but teachers of a rising 5th grader at Wyoming say she deserves some end-of-school recognition for organizing a book club and getting fellow 4th as well as 5th graders interested in reading and discussing what they’ve read all year.

Throughout the year, twice a month, 20 fourth and fifth graders came together after school to munch on tortilla chips and salsa and discuss their latest book club selection.

The volunteer book club was Lucy Hall’s brainchild, and her teachers say it has been a labor of love for Lucy who first brought the idea to her former third grade teacher, Sharon Jones.  Together they enlisted the aid of Media Specialist, Mrs. Honi Wasserman and secured permission from principal Peter Mercurio, who was thrilled with the idea. And the first all-volunteer Wyoming School Book Club was born.  

"I've been teaching in the district for 19 years, and this is the first time a student has shown such initiative -- I'm really proud of Lucy," Jones said. "She and her fellow book lovers should receive some [recognition] for their hard work and commitment to reading -- it's what our school is all about."

Although Jones and  Wasserman serve as faculty advisors, the club was student led with Lucy at the helm,  Jones said. Each session, students voted to decide on the next book club selection.  A few choices were The Landry News by Andrew Clements, Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng, and The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch.  

Principal Mercurio said he was thrilled with the level of commitment his fourth and fifth graders showed with their faithful participation in the book club.

“Taking part in the book club shows a true commitment and a love of reading.  We are proud of the students’ dedication to reading and sharing with each other.  Bravo.”  

Lucy said she hopes to continue the book club next year since she feels it has been an enormous success.

 “It’s exactly what I wanted, and more,” she said. “I can hardly wait until next year!”