A New Book Club at Weemes Brings a Fresh Approach to Literacy

On Wednesday afternoons at Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary, a small group of fourth and fifth graders gathers with a shared goal: to read, connect, and have a little fun along the way.

What started as a simple idea has quickly grown into something special. After conversations with school leadership about ways to support reading comprehension, ReadersPLUS launched the Weemes Trojan Book Club as an after-school space where students could engage with books in a new way. Open to all fourth and fifth graders, the club has already grown from just a few students to a lively group of more than a dozen.

Each week, students come together to read How to Eat Fried Worms, taking turns “popcorn reading” and pausing often to talk, laugh, and reflect. Some students eagerly volunteer to read pages at a time, while others take a little more time to warm up. Over just a few sessions, that difference has already started to shift.

“There’s one student who was really hesitant at first,” shared ReadersPLUS Central Coordinator Mahina Dameron. “But even in just a few weeks, she’s become more comfortable reading out loud. She still takes her time, but she’s doing a really great job.”

The structure of the club keeps things moving while leaving room for creativity. Sessions begin with a quick recap before diving into new chapters, followed by activities like reading games or mini challenges based on the story. Students wrap up by sharing their thoughts, whether that’s what stood out to them, how the story made them feel, or a very important question: would they ever eat fried worms?

For ReadersPLUS Coordinator Jake Tanda, one of the most meaningful parts has been watching the group come together.

“My favorite memory so far has been those first few sessions,” he shared. “It was all the students getting to know each other and getting excited about the book.”

That excitement continues to build each week, not just around the story, but around reading itself. As the weeks go on, one can see students cheering each other on, laughing together, and growing more comfortable speaking up.

“One of the most meaningful parts of the Weemes Trojan Book Club is watching students grow in confidence, connection, and joy,” shared Assistant Coordinator Isabelle Carig.