All For One and Books For All

Story and Photo by Selah Wheeler – Staff Reporter

Book Club at Lee’s Summit North is a low-stress, low-commitment club that caters to a wide variety of people. Book lovers of all genres can find a group who shares their interests to have meaningful discussions with.

   “It’s a much better experience, in my opinion, to read a book and then be able to talk through all your thoughts and your feelings about it with someone else,” Bella Washburn, senior, said.

   Washburn holds the role of Book Club President at North, and some of her responsibilities include coming up with meeting ideas, talking with the sponsors, and discussing what books to read for the current school year.

   “I think that really my main role as the president of Book Club is someone for people to…just ask me questions, that I can be this sort of face of Book Club,” Washburn said.

   Club meetings are held the second Friday of each month before school, and activities vary from eating snacks, talking about the latest club book, giving book recommendations and hanging out with like-minded people.

   “We’ve got a variety of books. A little bit of everything,” Michael Russell, librarian and a sponsor of Book Club, said. “It’s a club where you can be here all the time or just drop in if there’s a particular book you want to read.”

   At the most recent monthly meeting, which was held last Friday morning, the club discussed the upcoming field trip. On November 10, Book Clubs at North, West and Lee’s Summit High School will take a joint field trip related to the September book: With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

   “[We’re] gonna go visit a culinary school over at Johnson County Community College; we’re going to one of the best, swankiest, fanciest restaurants in Kansas City; we’re gonna take the trolley up to City Market; and go visit a restaurant; and then go back to City market for lunch,” Russell said about the field trip.

   If nothing else, the field trips should provide incentive to join Book Club at North. Washburn says they are her favorite part of the club. Russell says his favorite part is hearing the students’ discussions about books, whether a club book or a personal collection. Someone might even join Book Club solely for the amazing snacks, or for a chance to connect with their friends outside of a classroom setting. Whatever the reason, Book Club can be for anyone.