Sixth Grade Book Club Takes Off

What started as one student reading to another at lunch soon grew into a student-led book club, with sixth graders gathering in their free time to explore books together. The group first organized around two student-selected titles: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter and Solo Leveling, a graphic novel by Chugong. For Alana, who helped initiate the club, reading together allows students to expand their thinking. “We can share our opinions and views,” she said. “Reading puts my mind into a place of wonder.” 

Each group reads independently and then gathers to discuss characters, themes, and key moments. As part of their discussions of Better Than the Movies, club members created a playlist to accompany the novel, pairing songs with specific characters and scenes. Phoenix, who helped build the playlist, said she often listens to music while reading and noticed how certain songs echoed the novel’s blend of drama and romance.

English teacher Ms. Curry, the club advisor, emphasizes independent reading as a way to build stamina and confidence. She says students’ creative extensions demonstrate comprehension: “You couldn’t create a playlist if you didn’t understand what you were reading.”

Blake, another member, credits Ms. Curry with inspiring students to read more widely. She often suggests new titles, helping students discover new books and authors. “When we hear others share connections between books,” she said, “it makes us want to read them, too.”

After studying S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders in class and then seeing it on Broadway, book club members compared the musical, film adaptation, and novel to see how the story changed across formats. “It gives a new view on the book,” Alana said. 

While reading The Outsiders, Alana connected with Darrel Curtis as a fellow oldest sibling, while Phoenix appreciated the story’s mix of action and emotion. Inspired by Hinton’s emotional depth and complex relationships, the group chose another of her novels to explore on their own: That Was Then, This Is Now.

For Ms. Curry, the takeaway is simple: “Reading is fun.” And for Harlem Academy’s sixth graders, reading has become more than an assignment; it’s a way to build connection, creativity, and community.