Discussion Questions for a Book Club

Finding the right discussion questions for a book club can feel like a daunting task. When working with students, it is important to remember to keep discussion questions for a book brief and clearly written to avoid confusion. Open-ended questions like these promote deeper thinking and discussion among group members.

If you are just starting out with book clubs in your classroom, be sure to have your formative assessment system organized so that you can take good anecdotal notes during book clubs. Sign up below for a FREE guide with ideas for formative assessment organization to get you started on the right track so that you can begin to use formative assessment effectively during book clubs.

How Often Do Book Clubs Meet?

This common question, “how often should a book club meet” cannot be answered as a general rule. It depends on the group, situation and how much is being read in between group meetings. When students are meeting in book clubs during school, they may choose to meet 2-3 times per week giving days in between for reading. This works well if they are only reading 1-2 chapters at a time. Other groups may choose only to meet once a week if they are choosing to read multiple chapters at time. As long as students are retaining what they have read and not reading too much to discuss in a book club meeting, then there is really no set amount of time they should meet.

If group members are meeting outside of the classroom setting, they may only be able to meet once or twice a month. In this case, group members will most likely read more and need to take good notes on sticky notes or in a journal to gather their thoughts as they read. For adults in a book club, they may read the entire book before meeting so taking a few notes on sticky notes as they read may make for a more exciting discussion!

What are Good Discussion Questions for a Book?

These top 10 discussion questions for a book club will get the conversation going and keep it growing for a deep discussion about the book.

Question 1- Think about a trait the character is displaying. What kind of person acts like that?

Getting students to think about character traits throughout the book is imperative in thinking about who the character is as a person. That will lead them into understanding more difficult concepts like plot and theme.

Question 2- Visualize one location from this book. What three adjectives would you use to describe this setting?

This question focuses on the setting of the story. When discussed in the beginning of the book, it helps students to visualize the story connecting them to the character, plot and events happening throughout the book.

Question 3- Choose a conflict in the story. What are the causes of the conflict? How will this conflict influence the overall plot?

This question challenges students to think about the events or actions that lead to the plot of the story. A story mountain is helpful to use or discuss while unpacking this question.

Question 4- Describe a relationship between two characters in this book. How did these characters come together? Do you expect the relationship to continue like this throughout the book?

This question focuses on character relationships. Talking through character relationships can be pivotal in understanding a character’s choices and motivations.

Question 5- How to the character’s actions demonstrate the ways the character is changing on the inside?

This question on character change helps the reader to think about the lesson the main character is learning. Focusing on the lesson being learned is a large part of discovering the theme of the story and needs to be tracked throughout the story.

Question 6- Tell about a character’s action that surprised you. Why was it a surprise? What did it show about the character?

This question on character allows students to think about who the character is as a person. Connecting with the character and understanding who the character is will help the student to discover the theme as they are reading.

Question 7- How has your thinking changed? What are you thinking now?

This open-ended question could relate to character, plot or theme. It is a great one to use over and over as students may respond differently depending on their understanding and place in the text.

Question 8- Name a few traits of your character? Put them together. What theory do you have about your character?

Developing a theory about a character is a very challenging skill. This type of question is best near the end of the story so students have all or most of the facts. Creating a theory gives students a deeper understanding of the character, theme and author’s purpose for writing the text.

Question 9- What connection can you make? Explain how it helps you to understand the book better?

Questions that promote making connections help students to understand all components of a book on a deeper level. Making connections is what helps students relate to books and see themselves in the story.

Question 10- What other texts show similar themes and character struggles?

Another connection question that builds comprehension and understanding of the world as students think beyond a singular text and experience.

Looking for more questions? Check out the free fiction conferring notebook below packed with questions on character, theories and theme.

How to prepare for a book club discussion

Teacher preparation: If you are facilitating, have discussion questions and anecdotal notes forms for comprehension and communication ready to go.

Student preparation: Students should read the agreed-upon amount and have sticky notes with ideas prepared to share in their groups.

Other Ways to Prepare Students: Communication in book clubs is key for a good book club discussion. Communication skills should be explicitly taught and reinforced during book clubs. Here a few ideas to support communication in book clubs.

• If students are struggling to share due to shyness or being overpowered by students who enjoy talking, try these activities to ensure everyone has a voice.

• How do you start a book club discussion? Conversation starters are a great support to students as to ease any uncomfortable or awkward feelings that may come along with talking about what has been read .

What makes a good book club discussion?

Students have a conversation that builds their comprehension and communication skills. The goal of a book club is just to get students talking about what they have read. There are always areas to work on like being prepared or learning how to share and respond effectively. Most importantly though, a good book club discussion should be enjoyable between members! Book clubs shouldn’t feel like a mundane task but a fun time to discuss and collaborate with peers.

So wherever you are in your book club journey, try out a new question or activity to get students thinking, sharing and learning!

Don’t forget to download the FREE guide below on ideas for formative assessment organization so you can keep better track of student learning in your book clubs.