judah’s book club.

So, Judah started a book club!

The idea has been marinating with him for a couple years now, and in 2019 we were ready to make it happen.

We chose a book together around Thanksgiving, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, by Jonathan Auxier. It’s one I discovered through the Read-Aloud Revival, and we both read separately and enjoyed. Then we went about inviting friends.

Judah’s stipulation was that his book club be for friends age 10 and up. He’s part of a great class of kids in Classical Conversations, and had a couple other friends he wanted to invite, so I sent an email to parents, suggesting that the kids could read the novel over Christmas break and meet for snacks and discussion at our house one afternoon the first week of January, before school started back.

Judah and I planned out the hour and a half time together, came up with snacks and drink ideas, then after Christmas we took a date to Barnes & Noble and I taught him how to write a list of good conversation questions and facilitate a book discussion.

He said to me, “Mom, I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but would it be okay if the parents went in a different room for the discussion? I think my friends might be willing to talk more if the adults aren’t there.”

Ha!

Needless to say, my feelings were not hurt; I thought that was a very likely outcome.

Several of the moms dropped their kids off at our house on that rainy January Thursday, and a few stayed and chatted with me out on the back porch. We had a lovely time, especially overhearing frequent bursts of laughter and lively discussion from the direction of the living room.

Judah’s first book club meeting was a success!

I think he’d be thrilled to have one every single month, but quarterly is more realistic for this season of life, so that’s what we’re aiming for.

He chose the second book, The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stuart, and this week he held the second book discussion.

I was largely recliner-bound with a sinus infection this past week, so there was no fun Barnes & Noble date for us. One morning Judah came out of his bedroom and said, “I wrote some discussion question ideas. Want to hear them?” Well he rattled off 12 questions, and they were awesome. I just kind of blinked at him and said, “You came up with those by yourself?”

He said, “Yeah. Well, I just remembered the ideas you gave me from last time, and I also paid attention during the Understood Betsy book club to find out what kinds of things are good to ask.”

I’m not gonna lie, I was a proud momma.

Here’s something else I’ll say for Judah, now that I’m gushing: he’s a thoughtful guy.

He wants to choose books he thinks will appeal to both boys and girls. He remembers his buddies with food allergies when we plan snack ideas, and he told me that during his meetings he asks a question then goes around the room to give everyone a chance to answer. This is smart of him, because there are a mix of quiet personalities and larger-than-life personalities amongst his friends.

The kids end up discussing the book for about 30 minutes, then run outside to jump on the trampoline and play games. I just love this 10-and-11-year old age. They’re growing-up but not-grown-up yet. They’ll sip hot chocolate and read and talk. But only for so long before they’re out playing dodge ball on the trampoline.

Way to go, Judah!