What do the Lincoln-Way Central Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature students have in common with their teacher’s citizen book club members?

“The love of reading,” said Sara Davy, AP English teacher.

The purpose and goal was to have the high school students discuss literature in an articulate and sophisticated manner with Davy’s learned book club members. In addition, the students were to listen and learn from people who have “been there and done that.”

The members of the book club read about the Lincoln-Way high schools in the Chicago Tribune and were impressed with their PSAE test scores, they wanted to get involved with the students, said Sara Davy.

“I was excited when they asked if they could see our school and meet some of our students. I am teaching our students about the life-long joy of reading and writing, and I thought this would give an opportunity to showcase our school and our students. I am so happy to put the two groups together,” stated Davy.

The book club is “The Grateful Read”, and the members are from all over the Chicagoland area, including several authors. The club has existed for 10 plus years, with Sara Davy belonging for the last 5 years.

The class was structured to have each of the members of the book club explain what reading has meant to their lives in a large group setting, then have the book club members stationed at each table, with the students placed around at each table. For 5 minutes, the students and adults would discuss books they enjoyed reading and why, then the students would move from table to table, so all the students got an opportunity to listen and speak to all the book club members.

Maureen Keegan, author of Wedding of Q & U, told the students that she reads to know about other people’s struggles.

Susie Galloway, a charter member of the book club, told the students she enjoys reading and joined the book club to be challenged in her reading. “We choose books to read as a group that I would never choose for myself, and I am surprised that I enjoy them.”

Debbie Van Pelt said that “reading opens up so many worlds. I enjoy reading books with a ‘southern voice’. I am from Kentucky and it takes me back home.”

Several of the Lincoln-Way students brought a favorite book to the session to talk to the adults about. The books included Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

“I was very pleased with how it turned out. It even exceeded my expectations,” acknowledged Davy with a smile.

Members of ‘The Grateful Read’ that visited for the day were: Charlene Comfort, Alice Klusak, Cyndy Murphy, Debbie Van Pelt, Jo Christensen, Maureen Keegan, Susie Galloway, Roberta Rensink, and Priscilla Borgstrom.

Members of the AP English Literature class are: Rebeka Alvarez-Heck, Joseph Caffarini, Lea Caponigro, Amanda Carey, Lindsay Cullen, Lauren Czaja, Kaitlyn Kirby, Brianne Korte, Nicole Manzella, Kelsey Martiniak, Paige McGuire, Joshua Miller, Stephanie Miller, Kristen Miranda, Caitlin Murray, Julia Nichols, Lynn Palmquist, Kara Peterson, Kelsey Rozema, Kenneth Ruffatto, Kayla Smalter, Carly Specha, Carly Tebelman, Shaun Toomey, and Courtney Wirth.