The monthly Youth Book Club at the Glenside Free Library has been a transformative experience for young readers in the community.

Assistant Librarian Amy Mendelsohn, who works with children ages 6-12, has been leading the charge since 2022. She leads discussions with a group of 8-10 students followed by an interactive extension activity, including crafts, skits or debates.

“It’s a way to get kids excited about reading. This is where they can read a book and talk about it with their peers,” Mendelsohn said. “The same kids keep coming back and we’re always looking for new kids. I just want the kids to enjoy themselves.”

Last month, the Youth Book Club’s participants asked for a little more action, so Mendelsohn went with The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim.

“They’re all excited about it. I picked that book because it involves Korean mythology,” she said. “I like to give them strategic choices. My goal is to have them talk more than me. It’s taken some practice, but they’re getting there. Then we follow up with an activity.”

February’s book of choice is The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi.

“I picked it because it reminded of the movie Jumanji, where the kids get trapped in a game,” she said. “I’ve found that being able to share their opinions has deepened their reading. It’s really gratifying.”

During November’s National Native American Heritage Month, Mendelsohn selected The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich.

Glenside resident Nadia Kelly’s daughter has been participating in the book club for over a year and appreciates Mendelsohn’s approach.

“I’ve been amazed at how Amy curates a diverse range of books and creates engaging discussions,” Kelly said. “The book club offers a unique opportunity for young book lovers to connect, explore themes they might not ordinarily choose for themselves, and develop a lifelong love for reading. Amy’s dedication and creativity, along with the students’ enthusiasm, deserve to be celebrated.”

The next book club meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. For details, you can click here.

The Glenside Free Library is part of the Cheltenham Township Library System.

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