The Book Club is a group of 14 G&T students from KS3 who have an enthusiasm for reading and writing. We meet on a weekly basis and discuss our current novel, as well as books we are all reading for pleasure. Novels we have covered include Skellig by David Almond, Cider with Rosie, Little Women, and Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan. The Book Club are also involved in writing reviews for the Redhouse Children's Book Award - the only Children's Book Award which uses children only for the judging.
In connection with Dudley Children's Reading Group, we often travel to other schools in the Dudley borough for author visits, during which the writers discuss their novels, the process of writing and the business of publishing. They are also very willing to answer questions and sign copies of their novels. We have also hosted events with several writers including Chris d'Lacey, Leila Rasheed and Darren Shan. We hope to extend our link with the fraternity of children's writers over the year, including writers of non-fiction to continue our aim to promote literacy across the curriculum.
We are active in running literacy-based competitions, both for our students, and to develop links with other schools. The LRC has been a base for the Dudley Children's Library Service to hold their Primary Schools' Book Quiz. A team of four Year 7 students have been entered into a Spelling Bee run by The Times (www.timesonline.co.uk/education). The entire Year 7 cohort takes part in a Readathon in September, during which the students aim to raise as much money as possible for the Roald Dahl Foundation (www.readathon.org).
The Book Club were also involved in celebrating the National Year of Reading 2008. Follow the link to the podcast that they created at an event at Saltwells last year.
