Reading club takes hold at Del Webb school

By Frances Vanderploeg

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | midnight

Garrett Hofmann, 12, likes to read, but he finds that he doesn't get to talk about the books he's reading much with his classmates.

"They don't usually read what I read," he said.

The monthly book chats at Del Webb Middle School is giving him the opportunity to talk about books with his peers.

At the Oct. 29 book chat, for example, a dozen other Webb students sat around the tables ready to discuss "The Ghost's Grave" by Peg Kehret.

Principal Paula Naegle has been holding the book chats since she took the top job at Webb. It's a tradition that started with Pat Skorkowsky, now assistant superintendent for the Southeast Region, when he opened the school as principal in 2005, she said.

While the book chats aren't required, they are open to all students, and there's always a good turnout, she said.

"There's so many kids that read more than they're required to," she said. "The book chats are very informal. I kind of like to let them lead it."

Gale Husney, school librarian, said they average about 30 students per grade level, though some books draw more or less interest.

A book chat held in May drew more than 80 students when they discussed "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, she said.

"To see kids talk about books like this, it's phenomenal," Husney said.

Many of the students are regulars, coming each month, Naegle said.

Whether a first-timer or a repeat reader, the students gave various reasons for attending, citing anything from something to do at lunch to a way to quench their literary needs.

"I read a lot," Brett Murray, 12, said. "I really enjoy finding new books."

In the fourth year of the school's existence, the book chats are slowly becoming one of the school's traditions.

"You build traditions over time," Husney said. "It takes a while to take hold, and this is something that's taken hold."

Frances Vanderploeg can be reached at 990-2660 or [email protected].