One of the most overlooked privileges that we have is the ability to read books. Many people disregard the importance of being literate. This is why Canyon has a book club: to teach people the importance of reading and introduce them to new memorable and inspirational stories!

In the club, members can vote and choose the next book that they would like to read. A new book is voted on every 6-8 weeks. On the first Monday of the month, the club also holds a potluck during lunch. Members then have a group discussion and analysis of the current book with Mrs. Wilken, the advisor of Book Club. Students decipher key points from the story while also comparing and relating it to the world around them.

To learn more about this club, I interviewed Mrs. Wilken.

I asked her why it is important to have a club such as this one at Canyon High School. Mrs. Wilken went on to explain that Book Club “gives students an opportunity to read books that they wouldn’t normally read.” In Book Club, students have the opportunity to openly discuss books that cover a variety of topics relevant to today’s society.

As a member of Book Club myself, I can confidently say that I learned a lot about struggles and experiences beyond my own life. I feel the topics we discussed made me more empathetic, giving me a better understanding of others.

Why should students read books outside of class? I personally know many students that have little to no interest in reading more than they have to. Being illiterate, however, should not be normalized or praised. Mrs. Wilken points out the urgency of fighting against this general disinterest: “Literacy is the cornerstone of our independence and our democracy. I think we are isolated when it comes to understanding other peoples’ opinions and having empathy for how others live their lives. As a society we have to be literate; we have to know how to read.”

In a generation impaired by excessive and harmful technological handicaps, sometimes teenagers and young adults forget to think for themselves. This is why having a club such as this one is fundamental to the growth of our minds as students.

Before going into the real world as adults, a key skill is learning to make decisions and think for ourselves—and this is what this club teaches us: new perspectives, forming our own opinions and judgements regarding controversial topics, and forming a community where we can bounce off of each other's ideas.

So, choose to read more, and go the extra mile in educating yourself. To join Book Club, all you need to do is visit Mrs. Wilken in room E-5! Come and challenge your critical thinking skills!