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How to host a book party… What even is a book party?

BySarah

Have you ever finished a book and just needed to talk about it? Maybe you wanted to gush about a favorite character, rant about a plot twist, or debate whether the ending was actually satisfying. Now imagine getting to do all of thatβ€”except with themed snacks, hands-on activities, and a group of excited kids who just read the same book.

That’s a Book Party. πŸŽ‰πŸ“š

Why a Book Party?

We want kids to love storiesβ€”to truly enjoy reading, not just get through it because they have to. But let’s be real: not every kid loves every book. And that’s okay! Not every adult does either. What doesn’t foster a love for books? Endless comprehension quizzes, tedious written reports, and forcing them to dissect every chapter until the story feels more like a chore than an adventure.

So instead of a worksheet… why not a party?

How It Works

A Book Party is essentially a themed book club, but way more immersive. Instead of just discussing a book, we experience it. Here’s what that looks like:

  • Decor & Props – We bring the world of the book to life. Imagine stepping into a barn straight out of Charlotte’s Web, complete with hay bales, a miniature fairground snack station, and a giant web with β€œSome Pig” woven into it. Or picture transforming your space into Hogwarts for a Harry Potter partyβ€”floating candles, house banners, potion bottles, and a sorting ceremony before the discussion even starts. The goal? To make the book feel real.
  • Games & Activities – Hands-on, interactive fun that ties into the story. Maybe it’s solving puzzles, testing survival skills, or even an art project inspired by the book’s themes.
  • Themed Snacks – Because food makes everything better. Kids love creating and sharing treats that connect to the story.
  • Discussion & Reflection – But make it fun. Each child rates the book, shares what they loved (or didn’t), and discusses what stood out to them. This is where we uncover key themes, highlight important moments, and make sure nothing gets overlookedβ€”all while keeping the energy high and the joy intact.

More Than Just Books

Beyond the book itself, a Book Party helps kids connectβ€”with stories, with each other, and with their own creativity. They get to engage in critical thinking without even realizing it, all while celebrating literature in a way that feels fresh, exciting, and memorable.

I’ve hosted these parties with my homeschool co-op for years, and now I’m putting them into step-by-step guides so you can bring them to your own groups. So far, I’ve released Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes and Hatchet, with plenty more in the works. Grab a freebie guide to turning any book club into a book party on my Tpt store here.

Stay tunedβ€”I’ll be diving deeper into these guides right here on the blog. In the meantime, if you’ve ever felt like book clubs should be a little more… you’re in the right place. Let’s make reading an experience.

#BookParty #HomeschoolBookClub #LearningThroughStories