Bookclub trial for disengaged Year 8 readers "changes attitudes" to reading

A weekly book club in 17 secondary schools for disengaged readers aged 12 to 13 years successfully changed many students' attitudes to books and reading, according to the results of a 12-week trial run by publishers HarperCollins Children's Books, Barrington Stoke and Farshore.

Some 400 students from x schools across the UK attended a weekly bookclub, run by the school librarian, where they could browse books and chat but there was no pressure to read. Feedback from the students at the end of the trial showed that 60% were more interested in books and reading, 52% were reading more and 82% wanted to continue with book club.

Year 8 students were selected for the trial due to research showing negative attitudes towards reading at the ages 12 to 13 years. By the time children reach Year 8, only 25% feel happy when given time to read a book of their own choice in class - down from 51% in Year 1. Only 12% of boys and 23% of girls aged 12–13 choose to read 'every day or nearly every day' while 80% would rather watch TV, go online or play video games than read books. By this age, some 65% of boys and 48% of girls 'don't really enjoy reading books'; most 12 to 13-year-olds think reading is 'more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do' (figures provided by HarperCollins and NielsenIQ BookData's 'Understanding the Children's Book Consumer' 2024).

At this age, peers and friendships become increasingly important alongside the importance of agency or choice. The trial was designed to harness this, by enabling students attending the book group to chat with friends, and the students could choose whether to read or not.

They were offered a wide selection of books; each of the schools was gifted 200 children's and young adult books published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Farshore and Barrington Stoke. The first 100 books were selected by the School Library Association and delivered at the start of the trial and these were kept for the sole use of the book club students for the duration of the trial. Librarians involved students in selecting the second set of 100 books, and these were delivered halfway through the trial. In addition, 18 HarperCollins children's authors wrote letters to the students; librarians were asked to read them aloud, at their discretion.

Alison David, consumer insight director for HarperCollins Children's Books and Farshore, said, "Our book club aimed to convert disengaged readers by providing a social environment under the guidance of a member of the library team. Students met regularly in small groups in a welcoming environment, away from the classroom, and with no pressure to read." Each school was gifted a £100 Amazon voucher to be spent, at their discretion, on accessories that would enhance the social reading experience e.g. cushions, blankets. Most librarians also provided drinks and snacks for the book club sessions. With a social environment and extensive book choices, David said, "students could find books they wanted to read, they would connect with their peers over book talk and change their minds about reading".

Librarians were asked to read book extracts to prompt discussions and introduce books. Students could choose their own book and did not have to read the same book. They were given the choice whether to read during and between sessions; they were not be set reading 'homework' or challenges, or to be offered rewards or points for reading. The only books they were not allowed to choose were reading scheme books, digital books, or 'set texts' from the curriculum.

Out of the 21 schools selected, 17 completed the project, providing feedback from 17 librarians and 404 students. The Social Book Club proved to have been a success; students flourished in the small group format. Most said that they felt relaxed, cosy and comfortable, happy and interested during book club.

All librarians said that being in the book club had a positive impact on most students' attitudes towards reading, and 60% of the students said they were more interested in books and reading since being in the book club. When students were asked what the most enjoyable aspect of book club was, just over half of their comments included reference to books or reading. Librarians had the time to get to know the students and so they were able to match them with books aligned with their interests. 51% of boys, and 53% of girls said they were reading more since book club. "Among these students, previously disengaged and who associated reading with a chore, this is an important shift towards wanting to read," said David.

Across all the schools, librarians recounted stories of breakthroughs, describing how students who'd never previously read for enjoyment, or had never finished a book, found a book they loved. Some didn't just read one book: having found a series or author they loved, they became regular visitors to the library, dropping in to chat to the librarian and to get more.  At the end of the trial, 17% of boys and 21% of girls said yes, they would in future visit the library more often. And a further 42% of boys and 38% of girls said they would possibly visit it more often. So, in total, 59% of students expressed intent to visit the library more often in the future.

When students were asked to share any final comment about their experience, 84% of the students said book club had been a worthwhile experience; 82% said they would like to keep going with book club and 16 of the 17 librarians said that all or most of their students enjoyed taking part in the trial; a sense of exclusivity added to positive feelings about belonging to book club. Students also enjoyed having sole use of the gifted books for the duration of the trial. The accessories bought for the club with the Amazon voucher heightened the belief that book club was different and helped make students feel validated and 'chosen' for something special, rather than singled out for under performance. Authors' letters added to this feeling.

However, staffing levels and timetabling posed significant challenges to running the book clubs. Findings highlight lack of resource as a major obstacle, and without support from colleagues and the Senior Leadership Team, librarians are unlikely to continue with this approach. Nevertheless, said David, "Innovative strategies are essential if we are to change attitudes to reading among adolescents".