Middle School book club off and reading

Gazebo Photo by Bonnie Sherwood and Camilla Veale

Every two weeks,  middle school students gather on Friday morning during break for their new book club.

The idea for the club came over the summer when seventh-grade science teacher Mrs. Susan Hanberry read “I Will Always Write Back” by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda.

She thought it was a good book for middle schoolers and sent a copy to new principal Mr. Logan Bowlds.

“When I first read “I Will Always Write Back” I was immediately drawn into the book because it’s written in the voice of a teenager,” Mrs. Hanberry said.

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I knew implementing this book club where we read this book would be a wild success. And, I was right.

— Mr. Logan Bowlds

“I knew implementing this book club where we read this book would be a wild success,’’ Mr. Bowlds said. “And, I was right.”

All 189  middle school students participate in groups of six to 15 students and are led by faculty members. Head of School Dr. Bob Veto and Mrs. Elaine Murray, the director of library and information services, both lead groups.

The students read about 30-40 pages between each meeting and discuss what they read. The book is about the stories and letters written between two pen pals. One of the writers has a pretty good life in America, while the other pen pal has a struggling life in Zimbabwe.

In February, Caitlin Alifirenka will visit Stratford. Students also will be able to talk to co-author Martin Ganda by Skype.

Gazebo Photo by Bonnie Sherwood and Camilla Veale