Any-Book Book Club

In a world dominated by screens, devices, and endless digital distractions, finding a table in a library full of teenagers genuinely excited about literature and reading feels like uncovering a literary oasis, which is what you will find during Year 10 Navigator Dwayne Tainui’s Any-Book Book Club at Tikipunga High School Library each Thursday lunchtime.

Here, a passionate group of Year 8 and Year 10 Dreamers gather around Matua Dwayne for an hour of lively, infectious discussion centered entirely around the joy of reading.

From the moment the session kicks off, the energy and excitement from these readers is obvious.

Clever icebreaker questions lay the groundwork for whanaungatanga, instantly creating a warm, supportive atmosphere where laughter flows freely.

Dwayne launched the programme in Term 2 with a clear mission: to foster and instill a deep, lifelong love of reading in his Dreamers. While he initially planned to run it only until interest dwindled, a quick look around the table near the end of the term proves that interest is doing anything but fading. The Dreamers’ enthusiasm and mutual support for one another is genuine and very refreshing.

What makes this club thrive is Dwayne’s decision to steer clear of the traditional book club format. Instead of assigning a single text that everyone must read and dissect, he introduced the Any-Book Book Club Bingo Challenge.

Club participants are challenged to complete a 25-task grid designed to push them outside their literary comfort zones. The grid includes tasks like:

• Reading genres they wouldn’t normally pick up
• Finding books published in the exact year they were born
• Exploring New Zealand authors
• Seeking out award-winning titles
• Books highlighting female inspirations
• Designing their own book covers.

The first to complete the challenge wins a grand prize, though there are plenty of mini-prizes to be won along the way. This gamified approach allows students to experiment at their own pace, sharing unique insights into formats and styles they might never have considered before. On one recent visit, the challenge of the day was to showcase custom-made bookmarks, revealing deeply meaningful and personal designs from those who had completed the task.

The club prides itself on being a safe space for curiosity. Dreamers are actively encouraged to question everything. If they run into a word they don’t know, they are taught to write it down, look it up, and bring it to the group. In this circle, no question is ever a silly question.

This safety was on full display during a recent “Would you rather?” icebreaker, where students were asked if they’d prefer to always speak in rhymes or in book quotes. One student confidently responded with a clever, impromptu rap, impressing everyone and displaying her preference for rhyme.

The excitement is also paving the way for real-world adventures. When Dwayne announced an upcoming trip to the Whangārei Central Library, the group was ecstatic.

For some, it will be their very first time visiting, where they will get their own library cards and discover that modern libraries offer a whole universe of resources far beyond just physical books.

In an era where getting teenagers to put down their phones can feel like an uphill battle, the Any-Book Book Club is a refreshing reminder of what can happen when you give young people agency over their own learning, a supportive community, and a little bit of creative inspiration.