Last year I formulated a winning equation to provide reading encouragement and enrichment. I combined good food and good books in a reading program called Lunch Bunch.  Janet Spaulding, Children’s Librarian with the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, provided the catalyst for the idea when she visited on National Young Reader’s Day and offered to help with a club designed to encourage reading and conversation about books. 

      With my principal’s permission, Janet and I launched into action. Providing lunch for the participants was our reward to them for reading.  Because of schedule constraints, the lunch hour was our only time to meet.  Reimbursement for food expenses from my principal was a big help.

      To receive an invitation to Lunch Bunch, students must pass an Accelerated Reader test at 70 percent or higher. The format is simple.  During the first 30 minutes, the students eat, and without any prodding, discuss the books among themselves. For the remaining thirty minutes, Janet and I direct the conversation with questions such as:

To what parts of the book can you relate?

 

What lessons did you learn from the book?

 

Is the book realistic?

       Often the students’ questions directed the discussion. Janet and I also encouraged students to discuss whether or not they agreed with one another, going a step further, asking them to explain why or why not. The discussions have been productive and thought-provoking.

      Last year on the menu for our three lunches were Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis, Rominette and Julio by Sharon Draper, and Twisted Summer by Willo Davis Roberts.  We select contemporary paperback books in the public library system, so that we can easily borrow.  Our goal is to stretch the students while maintaining a balance between challenging and relevant.

      For the first Lunch Bunch, (18 students attending), I used the “Wheels” INCOLSA truck to borrow books from public libraries and other schools. The second lunch had 27 students, and the third lunch had 32. Seven Lunch Bunch dates are on this year’s calendar.

      Lunch Bunch has generated much excitement among the students. I hear kids talking about books in the halls and during book exchange.   I see them showing other students where to find materials and how to log-on to programs.  Other students also want to check out Lunch Bunch titles.

      The Lunch Bunch students have moved beyond mere library participants to become my library ambassadors.