The book club that gets youngsters to encourage each other to read celebrates decade of inspiring work
Children’s book writer Michael Rosen made a special appearance at Merton Abbey Primary School to mark the 10th anniversary of the national schools’ book club initiative.
The 78-year-old author appeared at the school in High Path, Wimbledon, alongside the Book Clubs in Schools (BCiS) charity founder Alison Palmer, and MP for Wimbledon, Paul Kohler.
Mr Rosen said: “They [the charity] do wonderful work where older children read books with younger children so what you get is that enthusiasm that goes on between children, because that’s actually the best way in which we can share books.
“One child, sharing a book with another child saying why they like the book, enjoying reading the book. And that way we can spread reading for pleasure”.
Book Clubs in Schools was founded by parents Alison Palmer and Beth Ginsburg to encourage their own children to read more, and has seen 40,000 children from more than 250 schools nationwide engage with its book clubs across primary, secondary and pupil referral unit (PRU) settings since it started.
BCisS claims that not only does it help schools create a reading-for-pleasure culture, but that the unique peer-led approach provides many other advantages, with book clubs fostering communication and leadership skills, boosting pupil confidence and well-being, while strengthening school communities.
With the National Literacy Trust’s annual survey in November 2024 showing just one in three children and young people enjoying reading in their free time, the work of BCiS is more vital than ever.
Ms Palmer said: “I am so proud that the book clubs that Beth and I started 10 years ago in one primary school in Wimbledon Park has grown into BCiS today. It all began because we were concerned that our children weren’t choosing to read – something that Beth and I both love to do.
“Without reading and talking about books, the world is a smaller place. How do you put yourself in someone else’s
shoes? How do you learn about the wider world? Books open those doors and create space to dream.
“We are a small charity, but the impact on young lives has been immeasurable. Having older children lead the Book Clubs is the magic ingredient – it makes it feel ‘not school’. I think 10-year-old me – who always had her nose in a book – would be proud of all we’ve achieved.”
Pictured top: Michael Rosen, Alison Palmer and Michael Bradley, headteacher of Merton Abbey (Picture: BookClubsinSchools)
