The Coretta Scott King Book Club at the CEJJES Institute

In collaboration with National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa

The Coretta Scott King Book Club for Children at CEJJES (CSK) is a program a Supplementary Education Program that supports the formal and informal learning and developmental enrichment opportunities that are provided for students outside of school and beyond the regular school day or year.

The Book Club has been in existence for over six years. CEJJES and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Chi Chapter joined forces three years ago to organize and run the program. Combining our efforts has helped to make the Book Club a strong community based program that many families enjoy.

The mission of the Coretta Scott King Book Club (CSK) for children is to offer a supplementary education program that supports the formal and informal learning and developmental enrichment of students outside of school. The CSK Book Club offers fun critical and creative thinking activities for youth in a welcoming environment. We believe it is imperative to celebrate the cultures and histories of the peoples of the African Diaspora while engaging our members in learning, discussion and analysis regarding people of color throughout the world.

Vision Statement

Our name is in tribute to the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, which honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults. These awards are given to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mrs. Coretta Scott King for their lifetime of work towards civil rights and peace. The goal of the Coretta Scott King Book Club is to perpetuate this spirit of social justice throughout our work and to encourage as well as support students to become avid readers, bibliophiles and life long learners.

Children in grades1 - 8 are invited to join the CSK Book Club that meets at theCEJJES Institute on the first Saturday of each month. A picture book is chosen for grades 1-3 to read with their parents at home. At the group meeting the children will play a game or make crafts to review the lessons in the story. At the group meeting children will review the readings and work on individual and team activities. Reading materials will be provided to grades 4-8.

Parents are important to the success of the Book Club.

The CSK Book Club is not a drop-off program. Parents are to remain at the Institute while the book club is in session. Parents can participate with the children during the meeting and in the activities. Parents may also volunteer to lead the discussion groups.

Reading Selections:

Children of the CSK Book Club read a variety of literature throughout the program year. Selections are written by or about people from throughout the African Diaspora. Global themes will also be chosen. Readers explore stories from Asia, South and Central America as well as Europe. All groups read fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, fantasy and poetry. Past themes and genres have included, but are not limited to Africa, the Amistad Revolt, enslavement, racism, black innovators, self-esteem, school desegregation, civil rights, science fiction, poetry and poets, as well as the classics.

Facilitators Needed: Each group is facilitated by an adult who has read the book and created activities and discussion ideas for the meeting. We encourage parents, educators and community organizations to consider participating as facilitators for at least one group meeting per year. We also encourage groups to adopt the book club for one month and recruit facilitators from your organization. Themes can possibly be centered around the work that your organization does in the community. To participate as a facilitator or to adopt the book club for one month please call The CEJJES Institute at (845) 362-8610 or send an email to us at bookclub@cejjesinstitute.org.

CSKB News: Find news, books, meeting dates and suggested reading online. Past events and upcoming happenings are featured. Parents and friends are invited to recommend and review books. We ask that you along with your child write a brief review about the book. Discuss the value of book and what you found most enjoyable. You may also offer interesting facts about the author or Illustrator. Recommend further reading on the topic.