This week I caught up with Kristen Galles, the creator of book discussion guides for Book Club Classics. She agreed to answer a few questions about the book kits.

-- What motivated you to develop book kits?

Kristen: For fifteen years I taught high school literature and realized that most people are exposed to the classics at a time in their lives when they can’t fully appreciate them due to a lack of life experience.  Plus, so often when we are “forced” to do something we can’t really enjoy it! Unfortunately the adage “High school is where great literature goes to die” can be so true…  So, over a brainstorming breakfast with my husband and cousin, the idea of creating guides for book clubs who want to tackle the classics, but might like a little help, was launched! 

Then my aunt suggested that I offer “custom” guides, too – on any work that a book club has selected (even contemporary hits), tailored to whatever the specific book club’s needs are.  To my surprise, the custom kits were a hit!  To this day, my very first custom kit, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is my best-seller by far.  Thanks to a friend who speaks Farsi, I was able to include a vocabulary/translation list with the guide that readers have really appreciated.  Once I’ve created a custom kit for a specific club, I then offer it to other readers (without the personal
information of the original club). 

Some of the kits I have completed include Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, My Antonia, A Farewell to Arms, the Scarlett Letter, The Grapes of Wrath, Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Eyre. Last week I got an order for a series of kits which includes The Brothers Karamazov, All the Kings Men, A Man for All Seasons, Leaves of Grass, and The Great Gatsby. So, it should be a busy summer!

-- What do the book kits contain?

Kristen: In addition to discussion questions, the kits include author background, character bookmarks (with brief descriptions and the chapter each was first introduced), warm-up activities to transition a club from the social time to the discussion time, literary terms, reviews, ideas for future reading, menu ideas, and then anything else that seems appropriate or helpful (like background on Afghanistan history for Thousand Suns, or translations of Gaelic words for The Gathering, etc.).



-- Can people suggest titles for new kits?

Kristen: Absolutely!  I love getting suggestions--contact me through Book Club Classics.



-- Do you have any new projects coming up?

Kristen: Yes!  After a year out of the classroom, I realized how much I missed teaching.  So, starting next month I am launching a new site for teachers, parents, and students.  I will tweak the classic kits to be even more classroom friendly, plus offer other resources like online mentoring,
grammar/writing help, helpful links, and anything else that might be helpful.  I am currently embarking on a new teaching endeavor-–online teaching--so the blog aspect of the site will focus on my (mis)adventures with “virtual” teaching.  The launch date is July 4^th!  I haven’t settled on a name yet, but I will announce the launch on my current site.