Eden Jablon
Staff Writer
In the 2009-2010 school year, Ms. Shamsi Katebi, director of library services, began working on a plan to promote reading and literary analysis among the student body. With the help of Ms. Felicia Hellman, English department chair, and Dr. Roger Fuller, upper school principal, the Milken student book club was born.
The book club does not take place in a classroom, but in the form of an online blog. Katebi believes this will make it more accessible to the students, since it is difficult for busy Milken students to physically meet.
“This is a way for them to share ideas and opinions,” said Katebi.
The book club offers two books each month – one chosen by the library and the other by the English department. The library book of choice is picked based on student suggestions. Currently, the library staff has received over 100 proposals for next month’s book.
Posted on the site are lists of questions and highlighted themes about the books. For students interested in receiving extra credit, the English department plans on offering points for blogging about their monthly book. After answering questions about their reading, students are encouraged to comment on other students’ posts.
Shannon Larian ’13, student facilitator for the book club, is presently working on e-mailing every Milken student an invitation to join the book club. The book club can be found at communities.milkenschool.org.