Bibliophile Riffraff Book Club!

About Bibliophile Riffraff Book Club

Led by students, the Bibliophile Riffraff Book Club meets during lunch or after school to share and discuss thoughts, wonders, feelings and questions about chosen titles. We finish each four-week club with a themed celebration as chosen by the Riffraff.

Books are selected by students via Microsoft Forms. Students vote from a preselected, recommended list of titles chosen to represent different voices, experiences, interests and authors. Copy availability and access to on-line versions are also considered.

For more information, contact Teacher-Librarian Tanya Kamila at  tkkamila@seattleschools.org

Spring 2021 Riffraff Selections

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Realistic fiction set in current times.  Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) loves to run, but, after a young childhood of much difficulties and tragedy, he’s learned to use his skill to run INTO trouble, not away from hit.  New possibilities arise when he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic medalist who sees past the trouble to the goodness and talent Ghost possesses.  For those that like to read about overcoming adversity (troubles), persevering, sports and finding people who believe in you!  Book 1 in a four-part series (the Track series).

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look

Realistic, humorous fiction set in current times. Second grader Alvin Ho is afraid of everything, and now he has to go camping! What will he do exposed in the wilderness with bears and darkness and . . . pit toilets? Luckily, he’s got his night-vision goggles and water purifying tablets and super-duper heavy-duty flashlight to keep him safe. And he’s got his dad, too.

Fall 2021 Riffraff Selections

The Edge of Extinction by Michael Laura Martin

Sci-Fi Adventure set in the near future.  When the Earth is overrun by cloned dinosaurs the human race retreats to safety via four underground compouds. Sky Mundy’s father mysteriously diasppears.  Five years later, she receives a mysterious message from him saying the fate of the world depends on Sky delivering a package to someone above ground.  But the compound leaders F no one survives above ground — or do they and the leaders don’t want them to know?

To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer

Unhappy about being sent to summer camp together when their dads begin dating, eleven year olds Bett & Avery (whom have never met) plot to prevent camp.  But as they get to know each other thru e-mail and then camp, they find they actually like each other!  But wait!  Now their dads are breaking up and the girls aren’t happy.  Wait until you hear what they plot next!

Spring 2020 Riffraff Selections

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

Historical fiction set at the end of WW II in Dresden, Germany.  When their city is bombed, Lizzie, Karl & their zoo-keeper mother must flee on foot to safety, taking an orphaned elephant named Marlene with them.  They find help in unlikely places as they learn to trust in the goodness of others and in the love they have for each other.  Based on true events, this book is for those interested in adventure, animals and/or history.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

(Update: this book club has, sadly, been cancelled due to schedule accommodations for in-person learning)

Realistic fiction set in current times.  Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) loves to run, but, after a young childhood of much difficulties and tragedy, he’s learned to use his skill to run INTO trouble, not away from hit.  New possibilities arise when he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic medalist who sees past the trouble to the goodness and talent Ghost possesses.  For those that like to read about overcoming adversity (troubles), persevering, sports and finding people who believe in you!  Book 1 in a four-part series (the Track series).

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Realistic fiction, set incurrent times.  After her former bestfriend, Franny, dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting.  The story flashes back and forth between Suzy’s present-day search to prove her theory and the past year’s decline of their friendship as Franny becomes more interested in other friends and rejects Susy.  It’s a tough, sometimes mean yet still beautiful story.  For those interested in reading about friendship, hurt, grief, loss & love.