• Book Club selects or begins reading a new book.
• Members hold a discussion about a recently completed book.
• Students recommend books for other Bellville readers.
• The club explores a particular author, genre, theme, or series.
• Members compare a book with its movie or television adaptation.
• Book Club holds a reading challenge, contest, or themed activity.
• The club organizes a book drive, donation, or community-service project.
• Members visit a bookstore, library, literary event, or author presentation.
• An author visits or speaks with Bellville students in person or online.
• The club celebrates a book-related holiday or observance.
• Students create displays, reviews, artwork, videos, or presentations inspired by a book.
• The club partners with the library, another campus organization, or a community group.
• A member reaches a personal reading goal or discovers a new interest through the club.
• Members elect student officers or select student discussion leaders.
• The club welcomes new members or begins a membership drive.
• A student or teacher publishes a book, story, poem, or other written work.
• The club reaches an anniversary, membership, or reading milestone.

Pay attention when:

• The club announces a new book selection.
• Members are especially excited, divided, or surprised by a book.
• A discussion raises an interesting issue that affects students.
• The club is doing something for the first time.
• A special event, author visit, field trip, or deadline is approaching.
• Members begin a reading challenge, contest, book drive, or service project.
• The club works with another organization or community group.
• Students create something that can be displayed, performed, published, or shared.
• A book connects with something happening at the school or in the community.
• A member reaches an unusual reading goal or receives recognition.
• Membership grows or the club introduces new officers or leaders.
• A popular book is being adapted into a movie or television series.
• The club reads a book connected to a holiday, historical event, or observance.
• You hear members say that a book changed their opinion or introduced them to something new.
• Members return from an event with photographs, books, awards, or an interesting experience.

You will not necessarily ask every question below. Select the questions that fit your story and ask follow-up questions whenever an answer is unclear or incomplete.

Who was involved?

• Which students participated?
• Who selected or recommended the book?
• Who led the discussion or activity?
• Was the Book Club sponsor involved?
• Were other organizations, teachers, authors, or community members involved?
• Who was affected by or benefited from the activity?

What happened?

• What book, activity, discussion, or event was involved?
• What is the book about without revealing major spoilers?
• What did Book Club members do?
• What topics or ideas did members discuss?
• What made the selection or activity interesting?
• What did members create, collect, donate, or accomplish?
• What were the different reactions to the book?

When did it happen?

• When was the book selected or discussed?
• When did members begin reading it?
• How long were members given to read it?
• When was the activity or event held?
• When is the next meeting, discussion, or deadline?

Where did it happen?

• Where was the meeting or activity held?
• Did it take place in the BHS library or somewhere else?
• Where can students find or borrow the book?
• Where can students see the club’s display, project, or results?
• Where will the next activity take place?

Why does it matter?

• Why was this book selected?
• Why did students want to read or discuss it?
• Why was the activity important to members?
• Why should other Bellville students be interested?
• What idea or message made the book meaningful?
• Did the book change anyone’s opinion or perspective?
• What did students gain from participating?

How did it happen?

• How was the book selected?
• How did members obtain copies?
• How did students prepare for the discussion or activity?
• How was the meeting or discussion organized?
• How did members respond to the book?
• How did the activity benefit the school or community?
• How can other students join or participate?
• How are future books and activities chosen?

Questions for Book Club Members

• Why did you join Book Club?
• What did you think of this book?
• What was your favorite part or without giving away the ending?
• Was there anything you disliked or disagreed with?
• Did the book change how you thought about anything?
• Which character, theme, or idea interested you most?
• What did you hear during the discussion that you had not considered before?
• Would you recommend this book to other students? Why or why not?
• What kinds of books would you like the club to read next?
• What do you enjoy most about Book Club?
• What would you tell a student who is considering joining?

Questions for the Sponsor or Discussion Leader

• Why was this book or activity selected?
• How are the club’s books normally chosen?
• What did you hope students would gain from it?
• What made this discussion or activity successful?
• Did students respond in a way that surprised you?
• How does the club encourage different opinions?
• What activities or books are planned next?
• How can interested students join?
• Are books provided, borrowed, or purchased by members?
• Is there anything about the book or activity that people might misunderstand?

Depending on the story, consider interviewing:

• The Book Club sponsor
• Student officers or discussion leaders
• The student who suggested or selected the book
• Members who participated in the discussion or activity
• A new Book Club member
• A longtime member who can explain how the club has changed
• Students with different opinions about the book
• The school librarian
• A teacher whose subject connects with the book
• An author, illustrator, bookseller, or guest speaker
• Representatives of organizations working with Book Club
• Students or community members who benefited from a book drive or service project
• An administrator when the activity involves the larger school

Do not interview only the sponsor when students are the focus of the story. Include Book Club members and, when appropriate, students with different reactions or opinions.

Before writing or producing the story, collect:

• The complete and correctly spelled names of everyone involved
• Each student’s grade level
• Each student’s Book Club position or role, if applicable
• The complete and correctly written title of the book
• The author’s correctly spelled name
• The book’s genre and a brief spoiler-free description
• The date, time, and location of the meeting or activity
• The reason the book or activity was selected
• An explanation of how the book was chosen
• The number of students who participated, when relevant
• Details about what students activity, project, or discussion
• Verified totals for books, donations, money, or participants
• Information about what happens next
• At least one useful quote from a Book Club member
• At least one useful quote from the sponsor or discussion leader
• Different student perspectives when opinions are part of the story
• Photographs or video of members reading, discussing, or participating
• A photograph of the book or activity
• Identification of everyone shown in photographs
• Relevant flyers, schedules, reading lists, announcements, or official documents
• The name of the person who confirmed the information

If the story involves a book drive or fundraiser, also collect:

• What is being collected
• Who will receive the donations
• Where and when donations may be delivered
• The official deadline
• The final verified collection or fundraising total

Ask yourself:

• Do I have the correct spelling of every person’s name?
• Do I have the correct book title and author?
• Do I know exactly what happened?
• Do I know when and where it happened?
• Do I understand why the book or activity was selected?
• Can I explain what the book is about without without revealing major spoilers?
• Did I interview at least one Book Club member?
• Did I speak with students who had different opinions, when appropriate?
• Do I have a strong quote—not merely “I liked it”?
• Do I know what happens next?
• HaveI confirmedI have usable photographs or video?
• Did I identify everyone shown in my photographs?
• Did I verify any totals, dates, or participation numbers?
• Do I have the sponsor’s contact information?
• Is there another member, organizer, or participant I should interview?
• Did I clearly warn readers before including any unavoidable spoilers?
• Did I represent students’ opinions accurately without suggesting that one opinion represents the entire club?