I’m intrigued by the concept of celebrity-inspired book clubs. Having a celebrity select and promote an author’s book (especially if the author is just starting out) seems like a fantastic way to make the author’s name known and to increase book sales. I’m not part of any celebrity book club, but I can imagine that if I was, and I was reading a book recommended by, say, Reese Witherspoon, it would make me feel some sort of connection to her. Like “Oh this book? It was recommended by my good friend Reese. You know, we’re in the same book club. We’re besties.”
My MLIS specialization is in Youth Services, so I’m always interested in ideas that relate to kids and reading. After reading this week’s article about celebrity-inspired book clubs, I started wondering if there were any book clubs for kids that were created and run by a child celebrity. For example, my daughter (11) was completely obsessed with JoJo Siwa a few years ago. If JoJo had a book club and recommended a title for kids to read, my daughter would have been super interested in reading the book. I did some research, and I couldn’t seem to find any book clubs run by child celebrities. I think this is kind of an untapped market. If a current child star (of TV, movies, YouTube, etc…) created a book club and promoted it to their fans, I think it would be an instant hit. I know there are lots of reluctant readers in elementary and middle school. Maybe they would be more inspired to read a book if it was part of a book club by their favorite YouTuber?
In doing research for any possible celebrity-inspired kids’ book clubs, I did come across the Andrew Luck Book Club. Former NFL player Andrew Luck is not a child, but he does showcase 2 books each month: a “rookie” book (a children’s book), and a “veteran” book (for adults). And of course there is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, where kids ages 0-5 get free books each month. However, neither of these was quite what I had in mind. I’m thinking Sasha and Malia Obama - circa 2009 - picking a book each month and encouraging kids to read it and discuss it. As the celebrity host grows up, the books could go from picture books to middle grade books to YA books. Since most young kids don’t have social media accounts, the host could provide a list of discussion questions that the kids could use to talk about the book with their family and/or friends. Anything that gets kids reading is a win in my book, and I think lots of kids would eat this idea up!
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a celebrity kid's book club! I know that libraries have started doing more book clubs for kids but it would be awesome to see child stars promote new books and authors.
I am curious now about different celebrity book clubs and want to look into them more. I know many patrons I serve follow celebrity book clubs and I think this would be the same for kids who are reluctant readers. This could even make reading more fun for reluctant readers. Are there any celebrities you wish would start a book club, children, teen, or adult?
Abby Abbott
Hi Abby,
DeleteThanks for your comment. Personally, I'd love if Kristen Bell started a book club. She seems so down-to-earth and normal for a celebrity. I bet she would have fun book recommendations for adults or kids!
I can't help but feel that all celebrities who start a book club are just copying Oprah. :-) It really shows her phenomenal influence when you look at the way she was able to pluck authors out of obscurity. I'm glad other celebrities have started doing the same because I think it does really encourage people to read more as well as help authors get the word out. I have never joined a celebrity book club myself. Part of me worries I would like the person less if I found out we did not have the same taste in books. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of a celebrity kid book club and do think it would be successful.
Hi Amber,
DeleteThanks for your comment. Yes, you are so right about Oprah and her influence - she is clearly in a class of her own. I can't imagine being a celebrity like that - every single thing she does or says, promotes or disagrees with, etc... is out there for people to jump on board with or publicly slam her. It must be exhausting to live like that! I love when people with that much influence use it to do good things, which Oprah does quite frequently.
At the library where I work we attempted to have a book club for kids, but we had hardly any kids show up. Then we tried a Newbery Award book club where we read potential Newbery Award books and voted on which one we thought should win. Only our library super reader kids showed up. We really wanted to encourage more kids to read. I agree that celebrity book groups can maybe encourage reluctant readers and more kids in general.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
DeleteThat's a bummer that you didn't have much interest in your book club events for kids. I've seen (in pre-pandemic times) some libraries do mock Newbery events where they bring the books to schools, have kids read them, and then have them vote on a winner. I think an event like that is a great way to reach kids.
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI agree that a child celebrity- led book club would do a lot to inspire kids to read new titles! Here's an article I found the other day about a child who reviews books on his podcast. He is not a celebrity, just a normal kid but if kids catch on to his podcast, I think it would be a great reading community for kids.
https://bookriot.com/joziah-jason/
DeleteHere's the article!
Hi Jennifer,
DeleteThanks for the link - I will be sure to check that out!
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI agree, having a celebrity promote an author's work is the best way to spread the word of that author's particular work. A great example of that is Oprah's book club segment of her show. There are quite a few people that pick up a book because it was featured in her show, simply by seeing the cover of that book with the Oprah Book Club sticker on it. This is a good thing for new, upcoming authors.
That's a great idea for a kids book club. This would encourage children to read books and share what they love about them. I wonder if libraries should try and start the trend with having children discuss the titles they like reading. Parents would need to give their permission for the child to share on social media, but it could increase literacy, friendship, and understanding of how to read a book and discuss it.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of a child celebrity book club. Even if they never participated in any online forums or discussions - it's a great marketing tool that could get kids to read. Excellent idea. Full points!
ReplyDelete