Senior Book Club Academy: Read, Debate & Lead (Grades 7–12)
A structured, points-driven reading club for Grade 7–12 learners — where great books spark fierce debates, deep thinking, and real social conversations that matter.
Perfect for: Grade 7–12 learners (ages 12–18) enrolled in secondary school; also suitable for school librarians, literacy coordinators, and educators who want to facilitate the programme at their institution.
More Than a Book Club — It's a Training Ground for Critical Thinkers
Most learners finish school having read textbooks, but never having truly wrestled with an idea. The Senior Book Club Academy changes that. Each term, enrolled learners receive a curated reading list — novels, memoirs, and non-fiction titles carefully selected to match their grade level and the social conversations happening in the world right now. The expectation is simple: read the book before the session. What happens next is anything but simple.
Where Reading Becomes a Live Event
When learners arrive at the club session, the book becomes a battleground of ideas — in the best possible way. Trained facilitators guide structured debates, Socratic discussions, and character dissections that push learners to defend positions, challenge assumptions, and listen deeply to peers they may have never agreed with. Social issues woven into the stories — identity, justice, power, family, belonging — become real-world conversations with real stakes.
A Performance System That Rewards Engagement
Every enrolled learner earns performance points for completing their reading, contributing to discussions, leading debate segments, submitting written reflections, and peer-reviewing classmates' arguments. Points accumulate across the school year, creating a leaderboard of intellectual engagement — not just exam scores. Top performers receive recognition, certificates, and leadership roles in future sessions.
Built for Schools, Loved by Learners
Whether your school runs this as an extracurricular programme or an integrated literacy initiative, the Senior Book Club Academy gives educators a fully structured, plug-and-play framework — from the reading schedule and debate formats to the rubrics and points tracking system. Grades 7 through 12 each have age-appropriate titles and discussion guides so no learner is left behind or under-challenged.
What you'll be able to do
- Read and critically analyse at least one full-length book per term from a curated grade-appropriate reading list
- Construct and defend evidence-based arguments in structured group debates on social issues raised by the books
- Identify and articulate themes of identity, justice, power, and belonging across different literary works
- Apply Socratic questioning techniques to probe classmates' ideas respectfully and persuasively
- Write structured reflection pieces that connect a book's themes to real-world current events
- Earn and track personal performance points across reading, debate, reflection, and peer-review tasks
- Develop active listening skills by engaging with opposing viewpoints during live discussion sessions
- Take on a leadership role — as a debate moderator, session chairperson, or peer reviewer — by the end of the programme
Curriculum
6 modules · 18 lessons
Your teacher
Eunice Fwaya
Hi, and welcome to the Senior Book Club Academy! I'm so excited to have you here — whether you're a learner who loves stories, someone who's never considered themselves a "reader," or an educator looking to build something special at your school. I built this programme because I believe books are the most underused tool we have for teaching young people how to *think* — not just what to think. When you put a room full of Grade 10s in front of a book that challenges everything they assumed about justice, or family, or what it means to belong, something electric happens. That's exactly what this club is designed to create, over and over again. I'll be guiding you through every step — from how to read with intention, to how to hold your own in a debate, to how to earn your points and grow into a leader in this space. Let's get reading.
FAQ
Ready to start your journey?
Join get instant access, forever — learn at your own pace with an AI coach in your corner.
This school isn't accepting enrollments just yet. Check back shortly!