Many times we find ourselves asking how we can make a difference in our own community or in the lives of others. For students and their families in grades 3-6, that question can be answered while reading a monthly book club title that focuses on drawing awareness to kindness, compassion, and paying it forward . One of the library’s newest programs is the monthly Good Reads, Good Deeds Book Club. Members read a pre-selected book at home as a family, then meet at the library to discuss it and plan a monthly group community service project.
Ideas were flowing at this year’s first book club meeting, where students and parents were excited to dig in and help out. One of the group’s members, Gabrielle, a 3rd grader at Paynter Elementary, came up with the idea of having students in her school make valentines for the community’s veterans and calling it “Valentines for Veterans.” Gabrielle’s mother, Jamie, said, “I’m always looking for ways for her to get involved in giving back to others. I want her to grow up knowing that she has the power to make a positive impact in the world around her, and this book club is a perfect opportunity to not only help others, but also to meet other kids her age who are looking to do something positive as well.”
Other group members, Mia and Eva, are excited about the opportunity as well and would like to visit area senior living or skilled nursing facilities to have the group play musical instruments and hold a sing-along for the residents. Their mom, Lora, said, “The book club is a wonderful way to spend quality time with my girls. To open a book and take the journey together is priceless. It’s hard to pass up the opportunity that the book club provides right in our own backyard. It’s a great way to connect with our children and the members of our community.”
Future book club dates are Wednesdays at 6:30 pm: February 18 March 18, and April 15. Registration can be made on our events page at www.baldwinborolibrary.org.
The Tribune-Review also did an article about our book club! Check it out here: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yoursouthhills/yoursouthhillsmore/7465027-74/book-library-program#axzz3QWfAxdoQ