In the halls of Verrado High School, there exists a club made to be a haven for book lovers of all kinds: Book Club! Run by Verrado’s wonderful librarian Ashley Chelsey, Book Club was created to help students of all grades access the eternal knowledge that books have to offer. Typically meeting on Thursdays during RTI, the Book Club encourages students to gather around and discuss their favorite books with like minded peers.
Empowering students to read amazing books is the main goal of Book Club. Books give students an unlimited amount of knowledge at their fingertips while providing help to students in their daily lives. Ashley Chelsey, the sponsor of the Book Club claims, “Reading books strengthens your brain, builds your vocabulary, can reduce stress, and aid in sleep readiness.”
Encouraging students to socialize with the power of books has been amazingly beneficial to the members of the Book Club. Lissette Holmes, a long-time member of the Book Club, says, “I think Book Club helps students unite while doing an independent thing. It personally helps me be a little more social without having to be super social.”
The simple act of Book Club encouraging students to step out of their comfort zone and talk with others about books has changed many Book Club members’ lives for the better. Book Club seeks to encourage all students to get involved and potentially make a positive change in the course of their high school careers.
Books of all genres are read in Book Club. For example, they have read “Tuck Everlasting”, “We Both Die In The End”, “The Magic Fish”, “Deadly Education” and so many more. They choose what books they will be reading for the month by opening up a discussion between members and deciding what everyone would be most interested in.
That being said, Book Club does much more than just read books. Oftentimes Mrs. Chesley will take Book Club members on exciting field trips related to the books they’ve read. After reading “Tuck Everlasting”, Book Club went to see the musical adaptation of the book at Grand Canyon University.
Book Club doesn’t just spread the love of books on the Verrado campus, they also love going to the elementary schools in the district and reading books to the children there. Mrs. Chelsey states, “Elementary school students love it when ‘big kids’ come to read to them. When we come and read to these students it is promoting reading to a new generation of students. There are many benefits to reading.” She also adds, “So when we go to the school and promote reading to the little kids, we are helping to promote and encourage the kids to read on their own. We are serving our community when we go and read to the elementary students.”
Book Club is an incredibly influential group that provides a safe space for all. It pushes members outside of their comfort zone, while also allowing them to do what they love. Anyone interested should definitely join the club, not only for the benefits but also solely for the welcoming and fun community.
