From Skeptic to Troublemaker: One Book Club Idea That Changed My Mind
I’ll admit it: library book clubs make me instantly wary. People constantly ask libraries to offer them, only to never actually show up. And a book club for kids? Forget about it. They already have plenty of assigned reading at school.
So when I attended Tanvi Rastogi’s session, “Speak Up: Using Middle Grade Books to Build Allyship Muscles,” I assumed it would be a low-stakes hour to slowly wake up and drink my coffee.
Friends, I didn’t even need the coffee. I left energized.
Rastogi’s book club model, Good Books Young Troublemakers (GBYT), is far more than a well-intentioned idea with a catchy title. It has its own website and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a sign of just how thoroughly Rastogi developed this concept after first dreaming it up in the shower.
She has created a turnkey model for anyone interested in starting a chapter. Each month features a thoughtfully selected recently published title, paired with a robust downloadable discussion guide. New chapter leaders can request a starter kit complete with stickers and bookmarks mailed directly to them. Best of all, it’s free, though donations are encouraged, and there’s a pretty fun sticker if you decide to support the work.
So what is GBYT all about?
As Rastogi’s presentation title suggests, the book club uses middle grade literature to frame conversations about timely social issues with young readers. But it goes beyond discussion. The book club materials include challenging scenarios from each story and ask participants to role-play how they would respond to peers in those situations.
The idea is simple but powerful: most people already know how they wish they would respond when they witness bullying or bigotry. But without practice, many freeze in the moment and fall short of their intentions.
By creating a low-pressure, supportive space to rehearse those responses, kids can build allyship skills into muscle memory.
As I listened to Rastogi, I found myself thinking: this isn’t just useful for children. I could really use practice with these skills too. And surely I’m not alone.
Because here’s the reality: if you’re paying attention in library spaces, you will hear kids say harmful things. They may say those things directly in front of you, during your program, or to another child in your space. And those moments matter.
If staff are not prepared to respond thoughtfully and effectively, someone’s relationship with the library could be damaged, perhaps permanently.
Have you built the muscle memory to respond in a way that aligns with your values and clearly communicates that the library is a place where everyone belongs?
For me, the honest answer is no.
That’s why I came away convinced that while GBYT is an extraordinary resource for young readers, library staff also have much to gain from engaging with literature in this way.
After attending PLA 2026, my goal is to start a GBYT group for staff in my library system.
Why use this model for a staff book club instead of choosing adult titles?
For one, middle grade books are shorter. When staff are being asked to add one more thing to already full plates, a smaller time commitment makes participation more realistic.
It also doubles as reader’s advisory skill-building. Staff who already work with children can discover and evaluate strong new titles firsthand. Staff who don’t regularly work with young readers still benefit by building a mental catalog of recommendations for those moments when a child or caregiver asks for help.
Because all GBYT selections are recent publications, released within 24 months of their feature, participants also stay current on contemporary titles.
Most importantly, middle grade literature tackles an astonishing range of socially relevant topics in ways that are accessible, thoughtful, and hopeful. Frankly, we could all use more of that.
For a session I expected to yawn through, this became the most memorable hour of the conference.
I left inspired and ready to act, and that’s before I’ve even started the book club.
I can’t wait to strengthen my allyship muscles and become a troublemaker too.
Tags: pla2026scholarship
