What’s a young book enthusiast to do when the characters in their favorite stories don’t look anything like them? You could either a) continue plowing through tales that don’t resonate or b) take matters into your own hands and create a reading revolution. If you’re 11-year-old Jamal Smith, you choose the latter and kick off an awesome book club for kids because, let’s face it, representation is everything.
Residing in St. Louis, Jamal founded the reading club “Books N Bros” with the goal of celebrating African American literature while encouraging literacy among his friends. “Whenever I visit my school library, the selection of African American literature is pretty slim,” Jamal shared on a local radio show. His passion was sparked after a visit to a bookstore called EyeSeeMe in University City, Missouri, which is dedicated to promoting literature for African American children. His mother even went live on Facebook from inside the store, capturing a moment where a mesmerized Jamal sat reading on the floor.
“He had never encountered a bookstore like that before, and I was equally surprised,” his mom, Karen Smith, reflected. “It was a revelation for him to see characters on book covers that represented him positively, rather than the negative stereotypes we often see.” The Facebook clip quickly went viral, racking up over 63,000 views and 1,700 shares, signaling a powerful connection with the community. So, what’s next on the agenda? A book club, of course!
This initiative is not just clever; it addresses a pressing issue in the U.S. Boys are lagging behind in reading proficiency across the board, as highlighted by The New York Times. A report from the Center on Education Policy revealed that in elementary schools, 79% of girls are recognized as “proficient” in reading compared to just 72% of boys. Why the disparity? One theory suggests that readers gravitate towards characters who reflect their own experiences. If the books don’t resonate, readers may lose interest altogether, which is precisely what Books N Bros aims to change.
“My motivation is simple: I love reading, but sharing that experience with others makes it even better,” Jamal expressed. The club caters to boys aged eight to eleven, meeting weekly to discuss books chosen by members the previous month. Currently, Books N Bros boasts around seven to ten members, and it’s growing every month.
Some of their favorite reads include “Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire: The Lemonade Escapade,” a story about an enterprising young boy—quite fitting for someone who started a book club! The author was so impressed by the viral video that he even joined a meeting via Skype. The group has also tackled “Hidden Figures” and “Supah Dupah Kid.” In February, to honor Black History Month, they explored “A Song for Harlem: Scraps of Time,” by Patricia McKissack, a talented author from St. Louis.
Membership costs $20, which includes a worksheet related to the book and a snack. But the real treasure lies in what the kids gain from the club: literature, culture, and representation. It’s vital to see oneself reflected in media, whether it’s pop culture, entertainment, or literature, because sometimes, you really do have to see it to believe it.
And what’s clearer than ever is that the future looks incredibly bright for these young readers.
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Summary
Eleven-year-old Jamal Smith from St. Louis founded the book club “Books N Bros” to celebrate African American literature and promote literacy among boys aged eight to eleven. Inspired by a bookstore visit, he aims to provide representation in reading, recognizing its importance in engaging young readers. The club meets weekly, discussing chosen titles while fostering a love of literature and culture.