Book discussions are a great way for kids to meet other kids with similar interests and to get them reading. If their friends are talking about books they like to read, that will motivate your kids to read, too. During book club your little bibliophile will chat about great books and may also be able to participate in a fun activity or project related to the story. Here are a few places where kids can join a book club in Des Moines and surrounding communities.
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver Avenue #1 • Des Moines, IA 50310 • (515) 279-5400
When: 2nd Saturday of the Month at 11:00 am
Details: The Second Saturday Book Club was first organized by a middle school student who is now a senior in college! The plan was for a Young Adult club, but the student’s teachers, mom, and other adult friends soon joined in. We miss the student but the group goes on, reading a wide variety of books. Stop in and see if this is the group for you.
Clive Public Library
1900 NW 114th Street • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 453-2221
When: One Tuesday a Month at 4:30 pm.
Details: Early Readers Book Club is for kids in grades Kindergarten through second. Each session children will learn about a different theme, read a story together and participate in a related craft or activity. Limited to 25 participants. Registration required.
Des Moines Public Library
East Side Library
2559 Hubbell Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50317 • (515) 283-4152
When: One Thursday a Month at 4:00 pm
Details: Join the East Side Library after school for Kids Book Club. Elementary students will be discussing the chosen book and making a string art craft. Copies of the book are available at the East Side Information Desk.
North Side Library
3516 Fifth Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50313 • (515) 283-4152
When: One Wednesday a Month at 3:00 pm
Details: Stop by the North Side Library for the Tween and Teen Book Club. Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers can pick up the book at the Information desk and then join the discussion. There will also be fun activities and snacks are provided.
Southside Library
1111 Porter Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50315 • (515) 283-4152
When: One Wednesday a Month at 2:30 pm
Details: Students in grades 6-12 can participate in the Teen Book Club at the Southside Library. Students can pick up a copy of the selected book at the Information Desk just over a month before the discussion. A snack will also be provided.
Indianola Public Library
207 N B Street • Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-9418
When: 1st Wednesday of the Month at 2:30 pm.
Details: Meet fellow kindergartener Junie B Jones and have fun reading her adventures at Junie B. Kindergartener. For Kindergarteners only. Registration required.
When: 2nd Wednesday of the Month at 2:30 pm.
Details: Join in the fun and read stories from the Junie B: First Grader series at Junie B. First Grader. For children in First Grade. Registration required.
When: 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 2:30 pm
Details: Follow Andrew’s tiny adventures and enjoy activities and stories from the Andrew Lost series. Andrew Lost Book Club is for children in 2nd and 3rd grades. Registration required.
When: 2nd Thursday of the Month at 3:10 pm
Details: Join the High School Book Club, where members get to keep the books they read (courtesy of the Friends of the Indianola Public Library). Visit the website for this year’s schedule.
Johnston Public Library
6700 Merle Hay Road • Johnston, IA 50131 • (515) 278-5233
When: Second Early-Out Wednesday of each Month at 3:30 pm
Details: Join the Johnston Public Library’s 3rd-5th Grade Book Club for books, food, friends, and fun! You can call the library, 515-278-5233, to let them know you’ll be attending.
When: 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5:15 pm
Details: Join the Tuesday Book Club: 6th-8th Grade for food, fun, and friends in the Storytime Room. For 6th grade through 8th grade. Questions? Call 278-5233 or stop by the Youth Services Desk.
When: 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm
Details: Read. Talk. Eat. at Teen Book Club: 9th Grade And Up at the Johnston Public Library. Questions? You may call the library, 515-278-5233 or stop by the Youth Services Desk.
Kirkendall Public Library (Ankeny)
1210 NW Prairie Ridge Drive • Ankeny, IA 50021 • (515) 965-6460
When: Once Per Month
Details: Books & a Bite Book Club is for children in 3rd-5th grade. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the members of the group about books they are reading and enjoy a snack while doing so. Pre-registration is not required for this book club.
When: Once Per Month
Details: Geronimo Stilton Book Club is for children in Kindergarten-3rd grade. During this book club participants will listen to part of a Geronimo Stilton book read aloud, watch a short Geronimo Stilton cartoon and enjoy a snack. Participants will be assigned a book to take home and finish on their own. Pre-registration is required. To participate in the next book club, call the Children’s Desk at 965-6460, option 4.
When: Once Per Month
Details: Who Was? Book Club is for children in 3rd-5th grade. During this book club participants will listen to a portion of a Who Was? book read aloud and engage in activities to learn more about the individual the biography is about. Participants will be assigned a book to take home and finish on their own. Pre-registration is required. To participate in the next book club, call the Children’s Desk at 965-6460, option 4.
When: 2nd Thursday of the Month at 4:00 pm
Details: Teen Book Club’s format changes each month from reading the same book with a discussion to sharing recently read books. Snacks are provided.
Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th Street • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-3945
When: 3rd or 4th Monday of the Month at 7:00 pm
Details: Magic Tree House Book Club is for kids ages six to nine who love the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne. There will also be activities and craft based on the month’s book selection. Please register each month by calling 278-3945.
When: One Wednesday a Month at 6:30 pm Teens age 13 and up are invited to join the teen book club.
Details: Teen Book Club participants receive a FREE copy of the monthly book selection. The club meets in the Teen Section. Please email trohe@urbandale.org if you have questions. No registration required.
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Parkway • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 222-3400
When: One Thursday a Month at 4:15 pm
Details: If you like to read and talk about books, the Kids Club Read is for you. Join the West Des Moines Public Library for discussion and activities related to the monthly book selection. For ages 8-12. Register anytime by calling 222-3405.
Would your kids enjoy participating in a book club in Des Moines?
