Our book club did not begin in a quiet library or over coffee and pastries. It was sparked by something much more electric, being in the same room with passionate educators at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) conference hosted by The University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. This experience lit a fire in us. As part of our workshop, we walked away with a handful of powerful reads like Dive into Inquiry, Making Thinking Visible and The Expert Effect. But we walked away with something even bigger, the sense that we were ready to keep learning together.
Mike Medvinsky (the conference organizer), Vidhya G (a dynamic PYP educator), and I started meeting to unpack the ideas that stayed with us that we wanted replicated in a book club. One thing we knew, we didn't want to be a traditional book club experience.
Our book club did not begin in a quiet library or over coffee and pastries. It was sparked by something much more electric, being in the same room with passionate educators at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) conference hosted by The University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. This experience lit a fire in us. As part of our workshop, we walked away with a handful of powerful reads like Dive into Inquiry, Making Thinking Visible and The Expert Effect. But we walked away with something even bigger, the sense that we were ready to keep learning together.
Mike Medvinsky (the conference organizer), Vidhya G (a dynamic PYP educator), and I started meeting to unpack the ideas that stayed with us that we wanted replicated in a book club. One thing we knew, we didn't want to be a traditional book club experience.
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Time to Read!
Read to Lead!
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We began to ask ourselves these questions.
What made it even more powerful was getting to connect with the authors themselves. It was not in a formal, stand-on-a-stage kind of way, but personal discussions. We asked them about their thinking, their struggles, and what they were still curious about. It made the books come alive and pushed our own thinking further. This is when I realized: this is not your average book club. This is a space for curious minds who want to go deeper. Sadly CITL has come to a close, but the heart of that experience still lives on through the thinkchat book club or #tccbookclub. We carry forward the same spirit of curiosity and inquiry. What I cherish most is coming together with this incredible group of like-minded learners. They are my people and they make my world a better place. |
Take a quiet moment and press play on these two videos. In them, I share a bit more about why book clubs have become such an essential part of my life. For me, reading has never just been about finishing a book. It is about sparking something new within us that can lead to real change in how we teach, how we lead, and how we connect. When we read with intention in a community, we begin to grow in ways that impact not only ourselves, but also the energy of our classrooms and the culture of our schools. This is the kind of professional development that doesn’t just stay on the page. It moves with us into every corner of our practice.
Purpose of Book Clubs
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Most of the time, we join a book club because we are drawn to people who share the same interests. For me, those interests are pretty specific. I love a good education or self-awareness book that stretches my thinking and helps me grow. I also have a soft spot for regency romances. Give me Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bridgerton and I am perfectly content. Contemporary fiction? I have tried, but it just does not hold my attention. Mysteries and sci-fi rarely make the cut either. Fantasy or biographies? Sure, when the mood strikes. But it has to feel right.
So why share all of this? Because our shared interests are often the starting point for something much deeper. We find people who get excited about the same kinds of stories we do, and suddenly it feels like we belong. At first, the conversations feel light and easy. But soon, patterns begin to emerge. We start to talk less about the characters and more about the big ideas behind them. Respect. Justice. Curiosity. Belonging. These values keep coming up, again and again, and we begin to see that our book club is not just about reading. It is about who we are becoming. This is at the heart of why I love book clubs. They become a space where dialogue matters. Where questions matter. Where we look at the stories and then turn the lens inward and outward, wondering how they connect to our lives, our work, and our hopes for the world. Even the most unexpected stories can invite us to do some common good. In the end, it is never just about the genre. It is about the people. It is about the shared space where we learn to listen, grow together, and hold space for one another’s perspectives. This is the kind of connection that fills your cup and leaves you thinking long after the meeting is over. Take a moment to watch these three videos. Let them guide your thinking about the kind of book club you want to be part of or create. I hope it becomes a space that feeds your curiosity and opens you up to new ideas. |
Book Club & Shared Interests
Book Club & Shared Values
Book Club & Common Good
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Blog Posts
These posts have shaped how I think and feel about book clubs. Over time, I have come to see them not just as a space for reading, but as a way to grow alongside others. I know that book clubs are not for everyone. Sometimes the best place to start is by simply reading about what the experience can look and feel like.
Books
Books
These are the books that helped spark our conversations and deepen our thinking. Each one invited us to explore new perspectives, challenge old assumptions, and connect with the heart of what it means to teach and learn. They remind us to see the whole learner, not just the academic achievement. This is our shared value.
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If inquiry-based learning feels overwhelming or unclear, Dive into Inquiry by Trevor MacKenzie is a great place to start. He offers a clear rationale for why inquiry matters and breaks it down in a way that puts learner agency in focus throughout the book. What I appreciated most is the book’s conversational tone, because it’s approachable without losing depth. If you're looking for a balance of thoughtful theory and practical strategies you can use right away, this is a book worth diving into. |
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As an educator, I’ve read my fair share of professional books. But every once in a while, a book stops me in my tracks and shifts something in how I see my role. Pop-Up Studio: Responsive Teaching for Today's Learners challenged me to reflect and to ask harder questions about what my learners truly need.
What I love most is how thoughtfully the frameworks are crafted. The 4 A’s, CME, and POWR aren’t just acronyms, because they are invitations to see learners as capable, creative, and full of potential. This isn’t a book that tells you what to do. It’s one that helps you see your practice with fresh eyes. |
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The Expert Effect chronicles the learning journey of two upper primary/elementary teachers through project-based learning pathway. This book highlights their challenges, successes, and everything else inbetween. It is a great read for anyone trying to make inquiry happen more authentically in their practice but don't know where to start. The Expert Expedition is a companion picture book full of whimsical poetry that shares the joys and rewards of exploring your own inquiry. |
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Our book club is back, and we’re thrilled to be diving into Seen, Heard & Valued by Lee Ann Jung. This book has been a breath of fresh air by affirming that inquiry and conceptual learning naturally open doors for all learners. It reminds us that agency, access, and purposeful assessment are not separate practices, but deeply connected. We’re only halfway through the book. I can already tell there are more insights waiting to be uncovered as we keep reading.
If you’re reading along with us, we’d love to hear from you. What are some of your aha moments so far? |
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The Four Agreements felt exactly the right book at exactly the right time. What started as a typical book club meeting quickly evolved into a hybrid sketch club. We explored the text through guiding questions and translated our reflections into sketches that captured how we felt. We also used the True Colors personality framework to help us process and personalize the agreements. |
Guides
Guides
These guides were created with care and curiosity. They hold the heart of our lively, sometimes messy, but always meaningful conversations. Read them more than once and et the ideas settle in. Over time, you will begin to see the threads that connect our dialogue and how they might stretch your own thinking about your learning choices.
Don't forget to get a copy of Misty Paterson's book club kit. It can be applied to any book study and we have used it in our book club experiences. It is well worth the money.
Don't forget to get a copy of Misty Paterson's book club kit. It can be applied to any book study and we have used it in our book club experiences. It is well worth the money.
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Podcast
Podcast
These podcast episodes are a blend of book club conversations and personal reflection. They were created as a way to make sense of the big ideas that emerged and to capture the wonderings that followed. My hope is that as you listen, you will begin to form your own understandings and spark new questions that guide your next steps.
The Expert Effect I first met Grayson and Zach at the CITL Inquiry Conference in 2021 and I was curious about their work with building more agency through project-based learning and local and global inquiry. Our book club was eager to dive into their book and here are some of my thoughts too. |
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Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain I found myself in tears the first time I read this book. It brought up memories of my own life growing up in the United States and the many learners I may not have fully seen in my career. This book is an absolute must-read. |
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Videos
Videos
These videos capture our real conversations with the authors of the books we read together. They gave us a chance to ask our questions, hear the stories behind the writing, and get a glimpse into the thinking that shaped the work.
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Our book club had the opportunity to sit down with Trevor MacKenzie and explore how authentic inquiry can take shape from early years through high school. The conversation was thoughtful, energizing, and full of new perspectives that pushed our thinking further. Trevor was incredibly generous with his time, helping us unpack misconceptions and deepen our understanding in ways that felt both practical and inspiring.
For primary or elementary teachers, Inquiry Mindset offers a similar experience; grounded, practical, and tailored to the needs of younger learners. Both books support you in making inquiry feel possible. |
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Our book club had a rich and thoughtful conversation with Misty that we accidentally forgot to record. Thankfully, she generously joined us for a follow-up session where we shared our progress, asked new questions, and continued the learning. You can watch that conversation here.
We had the privilege of using Misty’s thoughtfully designed book club kit while reading her inspiring book. It offered just the right balance of structure and reflection to deepen our conversations. If you’re looking for a meaningful and engaging way to explore a book, her kit is definitely worth exploring. Get your copy here. |
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Our book club had a chat with Grayson McKinney and Zach Rondot into what it really means to be an expert and how that mindset can transform learning for students of all ages. They shared their personal stories to help us visualize what it might look like in pratice. If you want to help your learners to demonstrate agency in their learning, take a watch here. |
Reflection
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Now that you have had a chance to wander through the book club section, I wonder what has sparked your curiosity. What new idea is tugging at your thinking? How might it shape the way you approach your practice moving forward?
Book clubs take many forms. Some of us thrive in face-to-face gatherings with people in our local communities. There’s something grounding about sharing space and conversation over a good book. Others of us find our rhythm in online book clubs, where distance disappears and ideas travel freely. Both can be deeply meaningful. Take a moment to reflect on what you need right now and how you might make space for it. Scan the QR code or click on the image for the See Think Me We visible thinking routine. |
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