In her comprehensive guide, Better Book Clubs: Deepening Comprehension and Elevating Conversation , literacy coach and staff developer Sara Kugler shows you how to combine the power of book clubs with assessment-driven instruction to support your students as they talk and think about texts together. Using authentic book club conversations as an assessment of academic talk and text understanding, Kugler raises the bar on typical professional discussions about book clubs, moving beyond teacher-directed interactions and surface-level conversations to include: Structures, teaching methods, and routines that support authenticity and independence in book clubs - Suggestions for starting, scaffolding, and sustaining effective, student-centered book clubs - Tips for listening in on clubs as a way to assess academic talk and text understanding - Methods for moving from observation into instruction that improves conversation and comprehension - Touchstone anchor charts and sample lessons for launching and maintaining strong clubs at a variety of independence levels With a dual focus on stronger comprehension and improved conversations, Better Book Clubs will help you establish effective book clubs that will engage your readers, enhance your learning communities, and become an indispensable component of your literacy classroom. Book clubs can make a big impact in the classroom; but as Kugler demonstrates, structured and scaffolded implementation is key for them to be successful. Kugler takes educators through all aspects of book clubs, showing how they differ from the traditional reading workshop and how to organize and use them effectively in the classroom. The author tackles teaching students how to discuss books with each other, and then gradually releasing them to work independently. She also explains how teachers can utilize book clubs for assessment outside the traditional test format. Using an engaging narrative style, Kugler takes readers with her as she prepares and implements book clubs; readers observe as she talks with students about their books and teaches them how to talk with each other. One of the most useful aspects of this title is the inclusion of charts throughout the chapters that summarize the most important points at-a-glance. Teaching tips are also presented throughout. The appendices consist of anchor charts and the connected lessons, as well as resources for planning and monitoring the clubs. A professional bibliography and another of the children's literature used in the book are included, along with a thorough index. VERDICT While anyone doing book discussions can find useful material here, this work is recommended for elementary and middle school teachers.-Laura Fieldsα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Children need and deserve time to be in community with one another to talk about books in ways that grows their comprehension and increases their love of reading. And teachers need and deserve this excellent book by Sara Kugler for the tips, tools, and strategies to help us lead these book clubs well.” —Jennifer Serravallo, author of The Writing Strategies Book and The Reading Strategies Book “I dare you to read just the first three pages of Better Book Clubs and not fall in love with it. In the very first sentence, Sara Kugler introduces us to the idea of book clubs as ‘a practice of liberation’ and a path to growing powerful readers both inside and outside the classroom. And with every subsequent turn of the page, Sara draws us a roadmap to a book club practice that is both accessible and aspirational. This book is full of the kinds of tips, lessons and tools that will help teachers move from big ideas to action, and I can't wait to see the tremendous impact it will make in classrooms!” —Kassia Omohundro Wedekind, co-author of Hands Down, Speak Out , and author of Math Exchanges “The introduction of Better Book Clubs makes the case that book clubs are for all kids. If you still need some convincing, flip to the last chapter and listen to the growth Sara Kugler’s students made from February to May. These are the conversations our kids deserve, and these are the opportunities we dream of facilitating as teachers. No need to wait. Sara knew we needed this book, so she decided to sit down next to us and coach us along the way.” —Kathleen Fay, author of Powerful Book Introductions and Becoming One Community “In Better Book Clubs , Sara has made the aspirational ( I'd love to do book clubs ) practical ( I can do book clubs ). Research, classroom stories, and practical strategies blend with Sara's passion to make not only a helpful professional text but an enjoyable one. A must-read for anyone interested in facilitating rich dynamic thinking and talking around books.” —Kristi Mraz, coauthor of Kids First from Day One and Mindset for Learning “We all know the autonomy, engagement, and re