School may be out during summer, but our students are still eager to learn. To keep them involved we created a very special program –– our summer book club!
Over the years, we’ve come together with our students to read, engage, learn, and have an absolute blast. Some of our favorite selections from past book clubs include The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and The Present by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Not only do we pore over every captivating page, but we also develop a corresponding workbook for each book that is filled with fun, educational activities. This comprehensive tool allows students to earn money while completing puzzles, poems, and much more.
This summer, our college students read Sharon L. Lechter’s Three Feet from Gold, a book about how to transform life’s obstacles into personal growth and success. Our high school students are reading Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, a book so beloved by past BFF book club members, that we just had to bring it back! The story about four mice living in a maze is a fun, easy read and a moving lesson about how to cope with change. “This is our 6th summer of book clubs and just when you think they can’t get any better… they do!” said Caren Sollod, Grounded for Life Program Director. “The books were carefully chosen and it was our hope to give our students some tools for success, tools that they can use in their everyday lives. I believe that we succeeded in a Big BFF Way!”
Here is what some of our students had to say about the book club:
- This book taught me that when change happens we need to move with the cheese and not get stuck and refuse to move on. In school, I want to get better with accepting change. SP
- There was a lot of helpful information in this book for my situation, especially when I turned 18, it helps me deal with change. JS
- One thing that I liked about the book was that it taught me real life lessons- to never give up and stay determined. I needed that because I am always quick to give up if I don’t see change right away. MR
- This book gives me motivation to never give up. I feel like I learned so many things from this book. JC
Our students see the joy and adventure in each story, but we see the true learning potential. And, thanks to an abundance of research promoting the benefits of reading, we’ve made great efforts to instill reading skills into our programs for all our students.
So, have you read either of the books on our 2018 list? Do you have any suggestions for next summer’s book club? We would love to hear your comments and ideas.
Happy reading!
