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AMS book club binds students and teachers
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The Falcon Readers Book Club wouldn't be possible without the help of Austintown Middle School's Jerry Bruff (left), Becca Shrake, Stephanie Toporcer, Dorothy DelBoccio, and Paul Farr (right). Bruff, Shrake, DelBoccio, and Farr are the "feature teachers" leading book club discussions, and Toporcer created the club for parents and students.
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Emily Haggerty (right) and her mom Jane (left) decided to read "Catalyst" by Laurie Halse Anderson because one of Emily's favorite teachers, Dorothy DelBoccio, is leading the book club discussions.
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During the Falcon Reader Book Club's first meeting, each teacher read a book club selection and had to "sell" to the parents and students why they should read it as well. On his selection, "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli, teacher Jerry Bruff (center) said he appreciated the main character's straight talking attitude.
By SARAH FOOR
Watch out Oprah — you don’t have the biggest book club in town anymore.
That distinction might go to the Falcon Readers Book Club, a group of parents and students who like to read and discuss literature. Austintown Middle School hosted the group’s inaugural meeting on Jan. 5.
The project is the brainchild of Stephanie Toporcer, the middle school’s Title I Building Literacy Coach.
“Every year, I have to create an event that brings parent involvement. After reading a book about young book clubs, I knew I could create a group that truly appeals to everyone.”
Falcon Readers offers four young-adult books for parents and students to read, with discussions on the books led by “feature teachers.” The staff participating include science teachers Jerry Bruff and Becca Shrake, health teacher Paul Farr, and language arts teacher Dorothy DelBoccio.
“The draw to Falcon Readers is definitely the teachers. I chose colleagues who are more than just teachers — they’re coaches, club advisers, or the person everyone wants to be around,” Toporcer explained.
That was the case for Emily Haggerty, who is reading “Catalyst” and discussing it with DelBoccio.
“She’s the teacher who hooked me on reading, so I know I want to talk over the book with her.”
Student Ashley Sierra focused more on the subject in her choices.
“I love soccer and science, so I chose the books that deal with my interests.”
The Falcon Readers will discuss the book selections in monthly meetings for the rest of the school year.