WITH THE growing popularity of the Internet, have children stopped reading books?
Not according to Keely Parrack, a Pleasanton writer and mother who helps organize a monthly meeting where as many as 112 students gather before classes at Walnut Grove Elementary to celebrate books.
“The breakfast book club has been going for four years,” said Parrack, who had author Jenni Holm as a guest speaker a few weeks ago.
Holm, who writes a popular children’s series based on a character named Babymouse, stood before the seated children in the multipurpose room to speak about her books.
One student asked Holm what inspired her to become a writer.
“I have a wacky family,” said Holm, who then quickly asked the students, “Who here has a wacky family?” Every hand in the room shot up.
Standing around the perimeter of the room were several parents, including Shelley Twarowski, whose daughter attends Walnut Grove.
“The book club exposes kids to books they otherwise would not have chosen for themselves,” she said. “Many times the children are surprised at how much they like a book they thought they wouldn’t enjoy when they saw the book’s cover.”
Parrack credits Anne Reilly with the initial idea for the book club, which is also held at other local elementary schools, including Hearst, Valley View and Vintage Hills in Pleasanton and Smith Elementary in Livermore.
At Walnut Grove, parents Ingeborg McCarty and Isabelle Reddy help Parrack organize the morning events, along with more than 30 volunteers.
“The cost is $55 a year,” said Parrack, adding that the students receive six books and breakfast, attendance at seven meetings per year on Wednesday mornings, and a final party with prizes. Breakfast items are provided by Pleasanton’s Noah’s Bagels and The Jelly Donut.
Within the large student membership are 20 groups, which allow the children to sit in smaller circles to discuss their books.
“Kids are never forced to participate,” Twarowski said. “Even if they choose to just listen quietly, they are picking up on the other kids’ enthusiasm for reading.” She added that many students will often want to finish a book after the monthly discussion.
Parrack said the books are selected with the assistance of the American Library Association website, Judy Wheeler from Towne Center Books and Chris Spritzer from the Pleasanton Library. Parrack also offers her experiences as a teacher and her connections with the writing community.
Guest speakers are invited to one meeting per year. Previous speakers include bestselling author Deborah Underwood, nonfiction author Pamela Turner, author David Lubar, and Pleasanton’s past Poet Laureate Martha Meltzer.
Parents can sign up their children for the book club every year at walk-through registration, or by picking up a form from the school’s office. The cutoff date to register is normally a week into the new school year.
Parrack said she would love to see more schools participate in the reading program.
“Getting kids excited about reading and talking about books is so beneficial not only to their school success, but also in their self-confidence and encouraging them to be open to new ideas and possibilities,” she said.
Twarowski agrees. “As a parent, I thoroughly enjoy listening to the kids’ insights and views,” she said. “They are full of interesting ideas and opinions.”
When asked what he thought about the book club idea, Luka Morgan, an articulate fifth-grader who has participated for the past four years, offered this perspective: “I really like the way the club exposes kids to reading,” he said. “Whether younger or older, everyone gets to share their opinions about the books. It’s a fun atmosphere.”
To learn more, contact Keely Parrack at k.parrack@comcast.net.
Contact Jim Ott at jimott@sbcglobal.net.
