The Book Club Games
The Book Club Game and its editions are fun and empowering games that build comprehension, communication, and a genuine love for reading all at the same time.
Players share ANY story of their choice then make it come alive as they journey through it together answering generic comprehension questions (transferable to other reading) that pop them into the plot, celebrate the characters, explore the themes and recreate the settings.
As they savor the story together, complementary questions guide them through the plots, characters, themes and settings of their own lives as well as through these same story elements of other stories.
All editions engage multiple levels of understanding through strategies of retelling, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating. The questions’ connections and reflections illuminate the deeper meanings and develop critical thinking with each story played. Sharing perspectives develops critical thinking on still another level.
Booklists Given and Generated Grab Reluctant and Motivated Readers
Players are introduced to and revisit many award winning authors when they land on the booklist space on the game board. Players “Book Talk” the titles on the list and share their favorites. The list provides them with a resource of excellent titles to choose from by authors who have written many more books to enjoy.
The Booklists’ suggestions grab reluctant readers, motivated readers and adults alike as they give way to enlightening conversations. Players have a chance to share their favorite stories and create another personal booklist of those that they would like to read (peer recommendation capitalized on!).
Reading Motivation for All • No Dissecting Books • Inspiration Gleaned
Just knowing that a fun game awaits the sharing of a book is great reading motivation in itself. The games can be played with any story and are great for families, friends, students, office workers, children and adults to savor a story and share their lives through it.
All different ability levels can be at “at the same level” playing; nonreaders, reluctant and remedial readers as well as highly motivated advanced readers can play together. It doesn’t matter how the players “read” the story; audio or video both work. All editions can be used as a supplement for any reading program to expand critical thinking, comprehension, communication and a genuine love for reading.
A major difference in the games’ approach to comprehension building is that the activities are not dissecting as analyzing literature traditionally is. Many students will tell you they never want to see a great read again because it was dissected to death in their English class. This is very sad. The games’ activities do just the opposite of this and approach all the same comprehension goals through a cooperative, highly motivating , put-it-together like a puzzle format. One doesn’t realize just how hard their brain is working because it is a fun game.
Within all editions players list positive actions they can take to make the world a better place based on the inspiration they glean from the story they play. Knowing there is always hidden inspiration in every story is a strong motivator to read!
