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How to Get Through Assigned Reading Without a Fight
Your kid got assigned a book they hate. You can’t change the book, but you can change almost everything else. Here’s how to get through required school reading without the nightly standoff, using the same family book club approach that works for the books they choose themselves. Continue reading
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Family Book Club Pick of the Month: Rain Reign (Book Club Kit Available)
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin becomes a family book club pick with this printable novel companion and book discussion guide. It includes conversation cards, a visual progress tracker, and hands-on activities for ages 9-14 — no reading logs, no quizzes, just one girl, her missing dog, and their unforgettable bond. Continue reading
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Book Talks on the Porch: Fooled by Susan Haas
Fooled by Susan Haas and her daughter Lexi is a middle grade novel about friendship, magic, and a school worth saving. Read it with your 9–14 year old using free family book club discussion questions, two rest stops, and a hands-on extension activity. Great for reluctant readers. Continue reading
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How My Reluctant Reader Turned Us Into a Book Club Family
My reluctant reader wouldn’t touch a book—until Percy Jackson hooked her, then Rain Reign changed everything. Here’s how my daughter’s reading journey turned into a family book club tradition, complete with book discussion prompts and a repeatable system any family can try. Grab the free kit and start your own family book club today. Continue reading
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Best Books for 9–14 Year Old Kids Who Only Want Action
Got a 9-14 year old who says every book is “boring” unless something’s blowing up, chasing, or escaping? This list of 15 action-packed books for tweens — spies, survival, history, dystopia, and graphic novels — is built for kids who only want the good stuff. Parent-tested, librarian-approved. Continue reading
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Family Book Club Pick of the Month: Pocket Bear (Free Printable Kit Inside)
Turn Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate into a free family book club experience. This printable novel companion and book discussion guide includes conversation cards, a visual progress tracker, and activities for preteens ages 9-14 — no reading logs, no quizzes, just real connection over one heartwarming story about second chances. Continue reading
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How to Start a Family Book Club (That Your Preteen Will Actually Love)
As our kids edge closer to the teenage years, something shifts. They start experimenting with independence, and their peer groups naturally become more influential. It’s a beautiful, necessary part of growing up, but as parents, it can feel like they’re pulling away. Here is the secret: preteens still crave connection with you. They want a… Continue reading
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The Spark Behind the Story: Why I Created the Family Book Club Companion Guide
Discover why I created The Family Book Club Companion to trade stressful reading logs for authentic pre-teen connection. Learn how this low-pressure, chapter-by-chapter strategy cultivates a genuine love for stories, builds deep empathy, and turns independent reading into a shared family experience right at your kitchen table. Continue reading
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The In-Between Years: How to Start a Family Book Club That Your Preteen Actually Wants to Join
Ditch the stressful reading logs and connect with your pre-teen through a low-pressure family book club. Discover an effortless, chapter-by-chapter strategy that builds strong readers and fosters deep empathy without the homework deadlines. Learn how to cultivate the magic of stories and create lasting shared experiences right at your kitchen table. Continue reading
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What is a Book Valet (and Why Is It the Thing Your Reading Bag Is Missing?)
Tired of ruined pages and scratched e-readers? Discover the Book Valet: a sturdy, zippered canvas pouch designed to protect your Kindle or paperback books on the go. Perfect for travel, book clubs, or poolside reading, this aesthetic book lover accessory keeps your phone, keys, and annotation kits perfectly clean and organized. Continue reading
