Student book clubs make reading for pleasure a social activity, contributing to the health, wellness, and academic performance of adolescents. The Upper School Book Club aims to connect students through literature under the guidance of Mrs. Olivia Kolenberg, Upper School Librarian. She commented on the Book Club’s goal to promote reading for pleasure and her hopes for the students’ growth as readers. Freshman Francesca (Frankie) Hinton, Upper School Book Club member, explained how participation in the group encourages students to explore and discuss books by various authors and of different genres outside of a classroom setting.
Reading for pleasure provides long term benefits and promotes a healthy lifestyle beyond the classroom. Not only does it stimulate the imagination, but it also builds cognitive function, stamina, and psychological well-being, according to natlib.govt.nz. Additionally, for students, reading can have a positive impact on writing ability, vocabulary, and grammar, according to explorelearning.co.uk. Recreational reading is especially beneficial to teens, as it can boost academic performance and community engagement, according to natlib.govt.nz.
At Sacred Heart Greenwich, the Book Club creates a collaborative space for Upper School students to discuss the latest texts they have read and browse through new ones. Typically, Mrs. Kolenberg compiles a list of Young Adult titles, and group members vote on their favorite option to read during monthly meetings. During February, the group read All American Boys by Mr. Jason Reynolds in honor of Black History Month. Mrs. Kolenberg explained what the Book Club aims to teach students.
“As with any reading outside of class, I want to remind students that reading for fun is still always an option,” Mrs. Kolenberg said. “I often find that even the biggest readers drop off when they hit ninth grade and go through Upper School, their homework load grows, or extracurricular commitments take up more time.”
Teenagers’ reading habits have changed in a digital world where social media, games, and schoolwork often take priority over reading for pleasure, according to natlib.govt.nz. A 2014 study showed that teens often stop reading for pleasure as they progress through school, according to natlib.govt.nz. However, making reading for pleasure a social activity engages teenagers and encourages them to share ideas. Frankie described what she has learned as a reader and member of the Book Club.
“I’ve learned to push myself out of my comfort zone and read what I consider more challenging books,” Frankie said. “I think I’ve grown as a reader because not only does Book Club get me excited to read new books so I can share them with the other members, but Mrs. Kolenberg gives excellent book recommendations that push me as a reader.”
Reading for pleasure provides benefits in various aspects of life, according to natlib.govt.nz. It can be a crucial component of individual well-being and learning and can even be linked to enhanced healthy behaviors in adolescence, according to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Studies indicate that reading for pleasure can reduce the risk of mental illness and substance use in young people, contributing to a healthier lifestyle. Academically, it can help adolescents boost their self-confidence as readers and encourage reading for pleasure later in life, according to explorelearning.co.uk. Its impact on reading achievement helps students in and outside of the classroom. Mrs. Kolenberg commented on the students’ positive takeaways from participation in the Book Club.
“My hope is that by meeting and seeing what their peers have been reading, club members can hear about a book that makes them excited enough to make time to read for fun,” Mrs. Kolenberg said. “My goal as a librarian is always to promote a love of reading, and that is also my aim for this club. With group reads, I hope to build community through the shared experience, but also to learn from the books themselves.”
Featured Image by Caroline Gammon ’26
