*Written with ChatGPT assistance
Ask any high school librarian and they’ll tell you—keeping a student book club alive and thriving is no easy feat. Between sports, band, after-school jobs, and a full lineup of clubs and activities, carving out time for reading can feel impossible.
But something extraordinary is happening. Students in the Somewhat Virtual Book Club (SWVBC) aren’t just finding time to read—they’re making time. They’re so energized by the stories they share and the people they meet that they can’t stop talking about it. They’re chatting with their teachers and parents about the books they love, retelling moments from author visits, and excitedly describing what it’s like to meet students from across the country—and even from Japan—who are reading the very same story.
That excitement is contagious, and it’s exactly what the SWVBC set out to create when it began more than a decade ago.
💡 A Brief History
The Somewhat Virtual Book Club began in 2011 when visionary librarians Joyce Valenza (Springfield Township High School, PA) and Shannon McClintock Miller (Van Meter School, IA) joined forces with Michelle Luhtala (New Canaan High School, CT), Colette Cassinelli (La Salle Catholic College Preparatory, OR), and Amy Lott (The Webb School, TN).
These librarians shared a belief that technology could bridge the gap between readers separated by geography. They wanted to create a club where students could talk about books with peers from other schools and feel part of something bigger than their own campus.
Their idea quickly came to life through early Skype sessions and Google Hangouts that connected small groups of students across state lines. The first meetings were filled with laughter, curiosity, and a shared sense of wonder—proof that stories could connect readers no matter the distance. From those early sparks, the SWVBC was born.
💬 What Does “Somewhat Virtual” Mean?
The “somewhat” part of the name reflects the club’s hybrid structure. Each participating school holds its own in-person book club meetings, where students meet face-to-face to discuss the monthly selection and prepare questions. Then, once a month, everyone comes together virtually on Zoom for a national discussion that links schools and students across the country—and around the world.
It’s the perfect mix of local connection and global community—students strengthen relationships within their own schools while discovering that the love of reading crosses borders, time zones, and cultures.
🗓️ How It Works
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Book Selections: Each May, SWVBC sponsors meet to select the next school year’s reading list. This early planning helps schools order books in advance and build excitement over the summer.
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Meeting Time: SWVBC meets the second Wednesday of each month from 12:30–1:30 PM CT.
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Hosts: Each month, a different school serves as the “host,” leading introductions, calling on students, and facilitating the discussion. Hosting gives students the chance to shine as leaders, moderators, and literary ambassadors.
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Authors: Authors occasionally join the discussion, but their visits are not the focus. The true heart of the club lies in the student conversations—the laughter, debates, and thoughtful insights that make every meeting unforgettable.
🌟 Book Talk Magic in Action
SWVBC meetings are full of energy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Students jump into discussions with bold opinions, creative theories, and plenty of personality. What starts as a simple book talk often turns into a flurry of friendly debates, inside jokes, and shared enthusiasm that extends far beyond the meeting itself.
At the October 2025 meeting, author Jessica Goodman joined to discuss her YA thriller The Counselors. More than 30 schools participated, and students dove headfirst into lively conversations about the book’s characters, sparking a playful divide between #LoveHeller and #HateHeller fans. The chat scrolled nonstop as students compared interpretations, defended their favorite characters, and even pitched ideas for sequels.
❤️ Librarians Leading the Way
The SWVBC is currently coordinated by Dr. Nikki Robertson-Griffin (Hutto 9th Grade Center, TX), Ms. DeLeon, Ms. Dawson, and a network of dedicated librarians across the United States who continue the founding mission of connection, collaboration, and joyful reading.
📖 The Impact
More than a book club, SWVBC has become a nationwide reading movement. Students leave each meeting buzzing with excitement—so much so that the conversations often continue long after the Zoom ends. They talk with their teachers and parents about the stories they’re reading, share their favorite author moments, and excitedly describe what it’s like to meet students from other states—and even from Japan—who are reading the same book.
In fact, one teacher pulled me aside the day of the author visit with Jessica Goodman to tell me how excited two of her students were about the book. She said they were jumping up and down and flailing their arms as they talked about the different characters, what those characters did, and which ones they liked (and didn’t like). Apparently, this has happened with quite a few teachers—they’ve come to the library asking if I have a copy of the book their students are reading so they can read it too.
Each month, students gain not just new perspectives on literature, but a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. They realize that reading can spark friendships, ignite curiosity, and connect people across time zones and cultures.
It’s proof that when librarians lead with creativity, and when students are given space to share their voices, incredible things happen.
In a digital age where connection can feel shallow, the Somewhat Virtual Book Club shows that the love of reading still runs deep—and that stories can bridge even the widest distances.
✨ Join the Conversation
If your school would like to participate in the Somewhat Virtual Book Club, complete this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw1NXsdHqlvhN_wv5KCyX8JlB0dK91zpuXaq-Y6zSX4uC2XQ/viewform
Because when students come together to talk about books, something magical happens—one story, one screen, and one unforgettable conversation at a time.
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