No Mercy (25 page)

Once you’ve decided on members, and agreed to the ground rules, you should decide on a place to meet.  This could be the local library, the school library, your favorite restaurant, a bookstore, or a member’s home.  Remember, though, if you decide to hold your sessions at a member’s home, the location should rotate to another member’s home for the next sessions.  It’s also polite for guests to bring treats when attending a Book Club meeting at a member’s home.  If you choose to hold your meetings in a public place, always remember to ask the permission of the librarian or store manager.  If you decide to hold your meetings in a local bookstore, ask the manager to post a flyer in the window announcing the Book Club to attract more members if you so desire. 

Teenagers of today are all much busier than teenagers of the past.   You’re probably thinking, “Between Chorus Rehearsals, the Drama Club, and oh yeah, my job, when will I ever have time to read another book that doesn’t feature Romeo and Juliet!”  Well, there’s always time, if it’s time well-planned and time planned ahead.  You and your Book Club can decide to meet as often or as little as is appropriate for your bustling schedules. 
Once a month
is a favorite option. 
Sleepover Book Club
meetings—if you’re open to excluding one gender—is also a favorite option.  And in this day of high-tech, savvy teens,
Internet Discussion Groups
are also an appealing option.  Just choose what’s right for you!

Well, you’ve got the people, the ground rules, the place, and the time.  All you need now is a book! 

Choosing a book is the most fun.  NO MERCY is of course an excellent choice, and since it’s a series, you won’t soon run out of books to read and discuss.  Your Book Club can also have comparative discussions as you compare the first book, THE FIGHT, to the second, SECOND CHANCE, and so on. 

But depending on your reading appetite, you may want to veer outside of the DRAMA HIGH series.  That’s okay.  There are plenty of options available.

Don’t be afraid to mix it up.  Nonfiction is just as good as fiction, and a fun way to learn about from whence we came without the monotony of a history book.  Science Fiction and Fantasy can be fun too! 

And always, always, research the author.  You may find the author has a website where you can post your Book Club’s questions or comments.  The author may even have an email address available so you can correspond directly.  Authors will also sit in on your Book Club, either in person, or on the phone, and this can be a fun way to discuss the boo as well!

Every good Book Club discussion starts with questions. 
NO MERCY,
as well as every other book in the
DRAMA HIGH
series comes along with a Reading Group Guide for your convenience, though of course, it’s fine to make up your own.  Here are some sample questions to get started:

1.
       
What’s this book all about anyway?

2.
      
Who are the characters?  Do we like them?  Do they remind us of real people? 

3.
      
Was the story interesting?  Were real issues of concern to you examined? 

4.
     
Were there details that didn’t quite work for you or ring true?

5.
      
Did the author create a believable environment—one that you can visualize?

6.
      
Was the ending satisfying? 

7.
      
Would you read another book from this author?

It’s generally a good idea to have someone keep track of the books you read.  Often libraries and schools will hold reading drives where you’re rewarded for having read a certain number of books in a certain time period.  Perhaps, a pizza party awaits!

Teachers and Parents love it when kids get together and read.  So involve your teachers and parents.  Your Book Club may read a particular book where it would help to have an adult’s perspective as part of the discussion.  Teachers may also be able to include what you’re doing as a Book Club in the classroom curriculum.  That way books you love to read like DRAMA HIGH can find a place in your classroom alongside of the books you don’t love to read so much.