The 2018 Family Dinner Book Club Lineup

Do you want families to read together? Making family memories inspired by books is a beautiful thing. For four years we have been sharing monthly  Family Dinner Book Clubs.

Last year we traveled the world through books and for 2018 we have a new focus. Each month we are going to focus on a character strength.  We want you and the families that you know to join us. And, don’t forget to print out your FREE Family Dinner Book Club planner below to help map out your year of reading.

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

• On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
• Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth will share a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
• Laura from Sunny Day Family will share an activity and a family service project.
• And, I will share a book list that compliments the themes plus conversation starters.

Here’s a little bonus tip…

Do you need a holiday gift for a family?  Print out the FREE planner, grab a few or all of the books on this list, and you have the perfect holiday gift!

If you are a teacher or librarian….

I created a letter that you can send home with families introducing the Family Dinner Book Club and inviting families to join in 2018.  Click HERE to download, print, and pass out the letter to families.  You can also print and display page two (the monthly booklist) in the free printable planner below to display.

You can also set up a monthly display in the library featuring the printable booklists and books that go with the theme.

Family Dinner Book Club Line-Up

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

NEW FOR 2018: We’ve listed a featured book for each month.  But, we will be sharing an entire book list on each character strength on the first of each month. You don’t have to read the featured book.  You will be able to read any or all of the books on the list.  The menu, activity, family service project, and conversation starters will all be centered around the character strength of the month.

I tried to select books that would be appropriate for young children as Family Dinner Book Club is geared to families with kids ages 4-8.  All of these books feature the character strength of the month. Each month I’ll be sharing other titles for this age group too.

January- Teamwork

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Swimmy shows his friends that working together as a team can lead to great accomplishments in [easyazon_link identifier=”0399555501″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Swimmy[/easyazon_link] by Leo Lionni.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAMWORK BOOK CLUB DETAILS

February- Persistence/Determination

The Winter Olympics are in February and are focusing on persistence and determination.

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Thirteen women who changed the world are featured in [easyazon_link identifier=”1524741728″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]She Persisted[/easyazon_link] by Chelsea Clinton.

CICK HERE FOR THE DETERMINATION/PERSISTENCE DETAILS

March- Fairness

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0823435733″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]New Shoes[/easyazon_link] by Susan Lynn Meyer sheds light on the inequalities of the world when a young girl is refused service because of the color of her skin.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FAIRNESS BOOK CLUB DETAILS

April- Love

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There is one bond stronger than any other and that is love. Enjoy the soon to be released (January 2018)[easyazon_link identifier=”1524740918″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Love[/easyazon_link] by Matt de la Pena.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LOVE BOOK CLUB DETAILS

May- Citizenship/Responsibility

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0763694835″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth[/easyazon_link] by Nicola Davies is a beautiful book with a powerful reminder to take care of what we have on earth.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CITIZENSHIP BOOK CLUB DETAILS

June- Honesty

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It’s time for the emperor to choose an heir in [easyazon_link identifier=”0805049002″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Empty Pot[/easyazon_link] by Demi.  Turns out that honesty is greatly rewarded.

CLICK HERE FOR HONESTY BOOK CLUB DETAILS

July- Creativity

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Based on a true story, [easyazon_link identifier=”0544357698″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Maybe Something Beautiful[/easyazon_link] by F. Isabel Campoy shines a light on how creativity can have a great impact on a community.

CLICK HERE FOR CREATIVITY BOOK CLUB DETAILS

August- Curiosity

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Meet Zoey in [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147094″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows[/easyazon_link] by Asia Citro. She is a super curious young scientist on a mission to help magical creatures.

CLICK HERE FOR CURIOSITY BOOK CLUB DETAILS

September- Bravery/Courage

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Meet a very courageous woman in [easyazon_link identifier=”0241322561″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Malala’s Magic Pencil[/easyazon_link] by Malala Yousafzai. Malala believes that all girls have a right to an education and she continues to be brave and speak her mind.

CLICK HERE FOR COURAGE BOOK CLUB DETAILS

October- Respect/Inclusion

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Meet a talking tree that has seen quite a lot in [easyazon_link identifier=”1250043220″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Wishtree[/easyazon_link] by Katherine Applegate. Through the perspective of the tree, we learn some big lessons about respect and inclusion.

CLICK HERE FOR RESPECT BOOK CLUB DETAILS

November- Appreciation/Gratitude

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Sometimes it is the most simple things we are most grateful for in [easyazon_link identifier=”0140548750″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]When I Was Young in the Mountains[/easyazon_link] by Cynthia Rylant

CLICK HERE FOR THE GRATITUDE BOOK CLUB DETAILS

December- Kindness

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Meet a little boy who is ordinary and extraordinary in [easyazon_link identifier=”1524766496″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re All Wonders[/easyazon_link] by R.J. Palacio. I great lesson in choose kindness.

CLICK HERE FOR THE KINDNESS BOOK CLUB DETAILS

Family Dinner Book Club FREE Planner

The very talented Laura from Sunny Day Family has put together a fantastic Family Dinner Book Club planner for you.  This FREE resource comes with a book list, a planning guide (grocery list, supplies, needed, etc.), and a tracking chart.

Click the button below to get your FREE 2018 Family Dinner Book Club Planner
Click Here to Get Your Planner

Clicking the button above will take you to a screen to enter your email address.  The planner will be emailed to you immediately.  You will also receive the weekly Growing Book by Book newsletter.

All of the fun begins on January 1, 2018.  We will have your themed menu, easy activity, conversation starters, and family service project ready for the character strength of teamwork on Growing Book by Book, Sunny Day Family, and Chef Sarah Elizabeth.  Plus, you can follow along and get more ideas at our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook Page where families share pictures of their dinners and we share bonus resources.

PIN IT!