Regular Roundtables For Five Young RIS Book Lovers

By Laurie Borst

Wednesday afternoons this summer, five young friends have been meeting to discuss their favorite pastime: reading.

Trey DeWald, Sander Nydell, Shaina Stamp, Cailee Tallon, and Katie Wojcik first met in third grade when they were in a reading group together in Samantha Saxenmeyer’s class at Middle Gate School.

All five got along well and developed a love of reading. Toward the end of the school year, Sander’s mother, Jennifer Nydell, saw the group reading independently in the hallway and suggested the idea of a summer reading group.

That first summer, the students read a book every week or two, depending on length, and met to discuss what they had read. When they entered fourth grade, they were in different classrooms. They saw each other occasionally when classes collaborated.

As the school year wound down, they decided they would continue their summer reading together. Since the week of July 4, they have met every Wednesday. At their most recent meeting, Mrs Saxenmeyer was able to attend.

From the minute the students started discussing Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, it was apparent that these young people were used to discussing literature.

They discussed events in the story, motives of the main character, conflicts faced. They asked questions and helped each other clarify and understand the story. Mrs Saxenmeyer helped them delve a little deeper with more probing questions.

In previous weeks, the students read Mortal Engines, Say Yes, and Vampire High. Next week, they will read Ruby Holler. The final book will be The Power of Un, required summer reading for Reed fifth graders.

It was refreshing to see the enthusiasm these youngsters have for the written word. It is rare in this age of video games and hundreds of channels with nothing on that seems to grip so many young people today.