Get started with GBYT!

Join to get GBYT book club discussion guides for FREE!*

Starting a GBYT chapter is as simple as logging in to our exclusive members-only area. Select the current month’s discussion guide or choose a guide for one of our recent reads. The current month’s discussion guide will be added one week before the start of the month, i.e. July’s guide will be added during the last week of June.

*Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help support our work!

What do GBYT
chapters receive?

GBYT book clubs receive thoughtful discussion guides that represent expertise and research on social issues, current events, cultural competency around marginalized identities and experiences, and best practices for engaging in allyship. Each month’s discussion materials require, on average, between 20 and 30 hours to develop. Recognizing that building allyship skills—like any other skill—requires time, experience, and knowledge, GBYT is pleased to offer the materials necessary to help booksellers, educators, librarians, youth mentors, and caregivers lead these necessary conversations with kids.

Do I have to start a book club to use GBYT?

No! GBYT discussion guides are useful for broaching social justice topics in a book club setting, but guides are also accessed by adults wanting to brush up on a particular topic or gain ideas for how to discuss a sensitive, complex subject with kids. Some book clubs are comprised of just one caregiver and child. GBYT guides exist for you to use in whatever way works best for you.

  • Curated GBYT titles.

    Each month, GBYT reads a different middle grade book club pick selected for its enjoyability and quality of writing, richness of topics explored, representation of diverse identities and experiences, and opportunities to discuss current events and practice allyship.

  • Discussion guides.

    Registered book clubs receive a discussion guide for each book club pick that include questions carefully designed to deepen empathy and participants' understanding of power, privilege, and complex social issues in an age-appropriate way. Guides also include allyship practice scenarios that include sample scripts to aid book club facilitators in guiding participants through the process of brainstorming how to disrupt injustice. Each question includes responses facilitators might guide participants towards.

  • Welcome packet & swag.

    Every new registrant receives an initial welcome packet that includes a GBYT starter guide, as well as bookmarks and stickers for your founding book club participants. The starter guide includes information on the GBYT philosophy and method, tips for successful facilitation, suggestions for handling challenging conversations, ideas for recruiting book club sponsors, and everything else facilitators will need to confidently launch their book clubs.

  • Optional marketing materials.

    It is not necessary for chapters to use GBYT branding; however registrants may request access to the GBYT logo and language to use on your website, social media, and any marketing materials you choose to create to advertise your club. We’re also happy to use your logo to create a flyer for you, which you’ll receive as a PDF.

  • Optional personalized coaching.

    Starting a new book club might feel daunting—not to mention beginning conversations about allyship and complex social issues with middle school-aged kids! We’re happy to schedule virtual meetings with facilitators who feel they could benefit from coaching or who just have questions.

FAQs

Need an answer to a question not included here? Reach out so we can help!

contact us

  • While GBYT books are selected and guides are developed specifically with kids in grades 6 through 8 in mind, you can choose to adapt your book club for whatever age range you feel is appropriate. Our founding book club has had participants ranging from grades 4 through 10.

  • We do not supply your books but are happy to share ways to secure them for your club.

  • New GBYT facilitators will receive a welcome packet that includes a GBYT starter guide. This comprehensive guide includes tips and best practices for how to organize your club, solicit sponsorships to defray the cost of books or registration, facilitate healthy and thoughtful discussions, keep your book club environment safe, use the discussion guides, and engage in allyship practice with participants.

  • We ask that you send anyone who’s interested in hosting their own GBYT to our website to register. GBYT owns the copyright to all discussion guides.

  • Yes! If you’ve read a title that you think meets our curation criteria and would be a great fit for the club, we’d love to review it. You can use the form on the contact page to bring books to our attention.

  • When Good Books Young Troublemakers launched as a book club for kids in Ames, Iowa, “discussion guides” were simply notes and questions scribbled on sticky notes scattered through each book. Guides did not become formalized documents until the GBYT nonprofit launched in 2023. Formal guides for some past picks may eventually be created and made available for download.

  • Absolutely! If a GBYT book club exists in your community, please consider reaching out to them and asking if you can sponsor books for their participants. You can also make a tax deductible donation to our organization, hang up a GBYT flyer in your local library or community center (contact us for a printable flyer), and share with educators, booksellers, and others interested in engaging youth in this work.

    Thank you for your support!