December 2003

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

A retired librarian in Philadelphia once shared with me a letter from a young man who had been a member of her Lloyd Alexander fan club. Now a lawyer, he was remembering how she had passionately read The Book of Three to a large group of middle grade children who gathered in her library twice weekly.  The group went on to read the other titles in Alexander's Prydain Chronicles. The reason for the letter was that the young man was now sharing the books with his son. He wanted to thank this librarian for introducing these books to him, and for forming the fan club. Obviously, this young father was continuing the legacy that this librarian had created. Fan clubs are important. It gives young readers a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to interact with peers who share a common interest. Books can be that common interest. Children are discovering and parents are re-discovering the wonderful mysteries about Trixie Belden through various fan clubs that are sprouting up all over the country.  Children themselves have created Judy Blume fan clubs all over the nation. And they write her letters. They have read Blubber and ask questions about bullying. They have read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret and Then Again, Maybe I Won't and wonder how she knows exactly how they feel. Young adults have flocked to public libraries to become members of Robert Cormier fan clubs. The powerful messages in The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese, and in his last novel, The Rag and Bone Shop, speak to teenagers' need to discuss issues that mirror the society in which they live. Through fan clubs, the public library can become the center for this discussion.  

I suggest that librarians who serve children and young adults learn from the Philadelphia librarian and initiate fan clubs in public and school libraries. Notice which titles are popular, which authors children commonly request, and which novels invite group discussion. If suggested, it is quite likely that young readers will join a David Almond fan club. Heaven Eyes, Kit's Wilderness, Skellig, Counting Stars, and Secret Heart offer young readers mystery, adventure, self-discovery, and an examination of relationships. These themes demand discussion and Almond explores them in highly literary novels that appeal to adults as well. There are enough Lois Lowry fans out there to form clubs for different age groups. The Anatasia and Sam books will bring a gathering of younger readers, while The Giver and Gathering Blue appeal to older readers and parents. Conducting two clubs simultaneously just might bring in the entire family. Boys, especially, are likely to form a Gary Paulsen fan club. The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt are companion books to Hatchet, a riveting survival story that is read over and over again by young readers. After reading the Brian books, the fan club will likely devour Paulsen's other adventure novels like Caught by the Sea. Paulsen is so prolific that his fans can count on new books to excite them and keep their club going for their entire childhood. Then there is Philip Pullman. He's just the writer for those Lloyd Alexander fans who have grown-up a bit and are ready for more provocative fantasy. There may be a Dr. Seuss club, a Patricia Reilly Giff club, a Phyllis Reynolds Naylor club, a Chris Crutcher club, a Peter Dickinson club, a Lois Duncan club, a Madeleine L'Engle club, a Tamora Pierce club, and a Graham Salisbury club. It's possible that forming fan clubs will bring in so many young readers that the library has a club meeting everyday.   Let's answer the call of children and young adults. They want clubs. Let's give them clubs. This is our chance to sell books and reading. Then, maybe someday someone will call and say, “I want to tell you what I'm reading to my son.”

You may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us.

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