This year the PTO will host Whittier Reads! Book Clubs

Students and their families will be given the opportunity to select a book of their choosing and read it throughout February (with or without family support). Then we will come together with other Wildcats and families to discuss our books over food!

Book Club Night is Tuesday, March 4th at 5:30pm at Whittier

Steps to Whittier Reads Fun!

1. Your child chooses a book or books they want to read. Or choose a book to read as a family.
2. They can pick up a hard copy (reserved at Dole) or read it digitally through Hoopla. You will need a library card for both.
3. Decide if you want to sign up for a book club to join the discussion on Book Club Night, March 4th (note: you will need to login to sign up). Book Club members will receive fun incentives like buttons and stickers along the way and will get first access to pick a book from The Little Library!

Sign Up

Book Club Choices

Picture Book
	Details	Description / Trailer	Availability	Parent or Teacher Book Club Facilitator
	The Smart Cookie by Jory John		Hard copies on hold at Dole Library starting January 24th. Hoopla	TBD email Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org for more info or to lead this group
Chapter Books
	Details	Description / Trailer	Availability	Parent or Teacher Book Club Facilitator
	The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo	Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. . . . Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle -- that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again. This beloved classic is now available in an accessible digest edition with black-and-white interior illustrations.	Hard copies on hold at Dole Library starting January 24th. Hoopla	TBD email Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org for more info or to lead this group
	The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser		Hard copies on hold at Dole Library starting January 24th. Hoopla	TBD email Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org for more info or to lead this group
	Refugee by Alan Gratz		Hard copies on hold at Dole Library starting January 24th. Hoopla	TBD email Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org for more info or to lead this group
Graphic Novel
	Details	Description / Trailer	Availability	Parent or Teacher Book Club Facilitator
	El Deafo by Cece Bell		Hard copies on hold at Dole Library starting January 24th. Hoopla	TBD email Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org for more info or to lead this group
Adult Book Club
	Details	Description / Trailer	Availability	Parent or Teacher Book Club Facilitator
	The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt	The American social psychologist believes a mental health crisis has taken hold of children spending ever less time socializing in person and ever more time glued to their screens. We will thoughtfully explore the concepts researched, strategies and impact this may be having on our own households.		Dominique Betancourt  and Vince Gay

FAQs

When should I start reading?
Now. Plan to be done reading your book by Book Club Night on 3/4.

Does the whole family have to read the same book?
No. Students can come on their own to the book club discussions if a caregiver wants to attend a different discussion with a different child.

Where can I find the books?
There are some hard copies on hold at Dole Library in the holds section. All books are available on Hoopla as ebooks and/or as audiobooks if you have an active Oak Park Library card.

Who will lead the discussions?
Parents and teachers are encouraged to help guide the discussions and book activities at our first Book Club night. Our facilitators will reach out for an RSVP to those signed up closer to the date. They will also provide some reflection and extension activities that are optional.

Why are we starting Book Club Night?
The PTO wanted to provide encouragement for connection around great books, both within your home and within our community. We show our kids excitement for so many other things, so let's make sure we do the same with a great book. Sharing books and our feelings about them helps build lifelong readers and deepens our relationships. Plus, it's fun!

How will I finish a long book in a month?
Pace yourself! Pick up your book ASAP and get started. Read a little each night as a family. Track pages or chapters. Get excited about joining to hear what others in your group think!

Who can I reach out to with questions?
Email Erin at Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org

When will the book donation to the Whittier Little Free Library begin?
Like last winter/spring, we will organize a book drop for your old, gently used books. We will work with our amazing librarian, Mrs. Conley, to get these books to new readers. Book Club attendees will get first dibs. More info to come the first week of February.