Join our inspirational online book clubs for schools and students
Whether you’re an educator from a state school or college looking to motivate your 11-19-year-old students in-school or a 14-19-year-old independent learner ready for after-school inspiration, we have a way for you to benefit from our National Teen Book Club. We think everyone should have a chance to enjoy reading and grow in confidence as part of a welcoming peer community – and we have a diverse range of sessions with authors and related speakers who’ll take part in Q&As, provide insights, and fuel career ambitions.
What’s on offer from our school reading groups?
For educators and your 11-19-year-old students
At suitable times during the school-day, our FULLY FUNDED* 45-minute online sessions focus on one hero read per term with six live broadcasts for each -educators can register for one, some, or all sessions and access recordings too.
This year, our books connect with the English curriculum, providing new perspectives and talking points to stimulate engagement and support classroom study. But it doesn’t matter what else you’re reading or studying – our focus is on promoting a culture of reading and discussion, and we’ll be drawing on books, TV, film, comics and graphic novels, and meeting speakers from a range of careers connected with book themes, storytelling, and communication.
If you’re an educator, simply complete the short form to register here
– you’ll find all the session dates and times, plus details of our speakers.
*The only optional cost for schools and colleges are the discounted books ahead of our “Meet the Author” talk.
For 14-19-year-old independent learners
Our FREE after-school live online book club sessions happen half-termly at 5pm on Thursdays. Together we’ll be exploring brilliant reading recommendations linked by a shared theme each term – like Spine-Tingling Spooky Stories and Thrillers; Heart-Warming Relationship-Focused Reads; Thought-Provoking, Imagination-Expanding Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
Via Google Classroom, you’ll be able to take part in or listen to the discussion and access resources. There’s no required reading or regular attendance needed – just join for the genres that spark your interest!
If you’re a young person, simply complete the short form to join us here
– you’ll find all the session dates and times, plus details of our speakers.
2 ways for educators and your students to access book club
1
Join our
livestream sessions
Our book clubs are hosted online via our website, accessed through a private livestream link shared with registered educators only – which means that you can watch them with an unlimited number of young people.
Students will also be able to submit questions during the live event using the interactive Slido tool on our webpage, or by typing in the code provided to slido.com.
2
Watch our
recorded sessions
If you can’t make a live book club session, you’ll be able to watch every broadcast afterwards in our inspirational talks library.
Alongside hundreds of other recorded sessions with high-profile speakers and Industry Spotlights from leading employers, our library will give you anytime-access to 18 book club broadcasts across our 3 hero reads for this academic year.
What are our 3 hero reads to inspire your students in-school?
1
Jane Eyre, abridged by Patrice Lawrence
We’re excited to be kicking off our in-school offer with a beloved classic adult novel skilfully abridged to inspire and engage a new generation of readers, from multi-award winning author Patrice Lawrence.
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Author Patrice Lawrence will join us alongside an inspirational range of speakers to discuss her pared-back yet heartfelt retelling of Brontë’s masterpiece. This retelling provides a captivating and easily digestible take on Jane Eyre for confident readers, an enjoyable refresher, or an accessible route in for those who might otherwise be reluctant to give it a try.
“Although the story is abridged, all the passion and drama of Brontë’s original remains. A triumph.”
The Bookseller
2
Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite
Our second hero read for our in-school offer is a sharp and authentic love story by journalist, TV presenter and Sunday Times best-selling author Candice Brathwaite.
“Love is never just black and white…”
Cuts Both Ways explores love, race, class, secrets, displacement, and grief. If your students are studying William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, you may find pertinent parallels for discussion in the story’s star-crossed lovers and the ripple effects of violence, providing a fresh perspective on a timeless text. Author Candice Brathwaite will join us for the last in a series of sessions with speakers from the world of work and storytelling.
“A sharp look at the realities of growing up
Black in Britain… warm and insightful.”
Observer
3
That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams
Brittany N. Williams’ fantasy YA is our third hero read for our in-school offer – and it’s swashbuckling, romantic, and full of the sights and sounds of Shakespeare’s London!
“Joan rolled her eyes. They always forgot she was stronger than them. No matter how many times she proved it.”
That Self-Same Metal centres West African mythology and queerness within a reimagined Jacobean England. Whether your students are studying Shakespeare or not, our sessions will aid discussions around representation in stories and the historical fiction/fantasy genre. Our career-focused speaker Q&As end with author, actress and Shakespeare fan Brittany N. Williams.
“Wildly imaginative and refreshingly diverse… taut with intrigue.”
J. Elle, author
Why should you and your students take part?
National Teen Book Club gives young people the chance to:
Enjoy reading and discussing books
Meet inspirational speakers and authors
Explore stories that challenge stereotypes
Build confidence and communication skills
Learn where a love of English can lead
Gain careers insights and fuel ambitions
How can you get involved with National Teen Book Club?
Educator
Are you an educator looking to inspire your 11-19-year-old students? Simply complete the short form to register you and an unlimited number of your students to livestream as many of our in-school book club sessions as you like, and access recorded broadcasts at your convenience.
Young Person
Are you a 14-19-year-old independent learner ready for inspiration? Simply complete the short form to join us for any of our live after-school book club sessions via Google Classroom with your own unique log-in. You’ll require a parent, carer, or guardian to confirm your age and approve your attendance.
What do people think of National Teen Book Club?
“Our students really enjoyed the modern format, the careers advice, and being spoken to like young adults. I really like the interactive aspect of it. It was casual in a way that you felt as though you could ask creative questions but formal enough to get proper answers and information.”
Educator
“Across the board, this was our favourite session of all of them. The author was so engaging and the conversation was exceptionally interesting! I think the careers slant was a really useful aspect of yesterday’s session. I’ve ordered a copy of his book for our library.”
Educator
“So much more than a book club! You can read books you might never have heard of and meet inspirational people. I can’t believe we actually get to ask the author questions!”
Young Person