The Power of Book Clubs for Kids: How to Build Curious, Confident Readers During the Tween Years

As homeschoolers, we all want to raise curious kids who love to learn, think deeply, and connect meaningfully with others. But here’s the truth: curiosity alone doesn’t create thoughtful readers or strong communicators. That kind of growth happens in the wet cement years—when our kids are still shaping their values, forming their identities, and discovering how to express big ideas in a thoughtful way.

That’s where book clubs come in.

Why Book Clubs Matter in the Tween Years

When kids are between ages 9–13, they’re in a unique phase of development. Their brains are expanding rapidly. Their sense of self is beginning to take shape, and their questions about the world get deeper. These are the years when a book isn’t just a story—it’s a mirror, a window, and a doorway to understanding people, cultures, and ideas beyond their everyday world.

Book clubs take that reading experience and supercharge it. Through guided discussions, shared perspectives, and thought-provoking writing prompts, kids begin to:

• Make connections between books and real-life experiences

• Practice listening and respectfully sharing their own opinions

• Strengthen empathy through character analysis

• Improve writing by responding to rich, open-ended questions

And yes—they have fun doing it.

What Makes Curio’s Book Clubs Different?

At Curio, we design our Newbery Book Clubs with one goal: to help kids fall in love with deep, thoughtful reading and develop the academic skills they’ll need to keep growing. Our live, weekly Zoom discussions create a space where every voice matters—whether your child is naturally outgoing or a bit quieter.

We also offer a printable and digital workbook with vocabulary, comprehension questions, and space for reflection. Want to go deeper? Each unit includes an optional literary analysis essay—perfect for building writing confidence in middle-grade learners.

🚨 Current Pick: “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” by Judith Kerr
This classic middle grade novel dives into one family’s refugee journey from 1930s Berlin. It's a gripping, emotional read that sparks discussion on history, empathy, and identity. (Learn more or register at thinkcurio.com).

How We Use Google Docs to Build Writing Skills

Our book club students also get experience using Google Docs for submitting essays and reflections. Not only does this help them learn basic formatting and digital writing skills, it also introduces a low-pressure way to collaborate, edit, and get teacher feedback. It’s a great stepping stone to academic writing—and you can learn exactly how we use Google Docs in this YouTube video where I walk through our homeschool workflow.

CurioWrite: When Reading Inspires Writing

When your child finishes a powerful book, the next step might be… “Can I write my own?”

That’s why we created CurioWrite—a series of writing classes designed around student interests. Whether your child is fascinated by sports, animals, outer space, or social issues, we help them take that spark and turn it into narrative or expository writing. With flexible scheduling and personalized feedback, CurioWrite helps kids feel like writers from day one.

The Bottom Line: Build Readers and Thinkers

Book clubs aren’t just about literature—they’re about building thinkers who can analyze, discuss, and write with clarity. They’re about forming connections between peers, ideas, and real-world events. And they’re a powerful tool in shaping confident, curious kids who use books to keep learning long after the final chapter.

Ready to Join a Club?

Check out our current and upcoming Newbery Book Clubs at thinkcurio.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Curio YouTube channel for more homeschool tools, tech tips, and book-loving encouragement.