The Teen Book Club offers a selection of books across genres and topics. Participants get reading guides, activities, resources, and paper prompts.
| Age Range | 13-18 |
| Class Type | Monthly Book Club |
| Start / End Dates | March 2023; Live Session Monday, March 27 at 1pm Eastern |
| Class Size | 1-100 Learners |
Pricing Information
| Enrollment | $15 Per Student |
| Enrollment with Feedback Add-On | $45 Per Student |
About this Book
Winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, The Poet X follows Xiomara Batista in this coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of the Harlem slam poetry scene.
A first-generation Dominican American, Xiomara is growing up in a very Catholic immigrant home that has left her feeling ill-equipped to deal with her current life experiences.
Book Club Overview
Are you looking for a low-pressure way to include reading? Do you want supplemental reading guides focused on understanding and vocabulary? Would you like project and paper prompts themed around books? Does your learner like to meet with others to discuss what they’ve read?
Dr. Sabrina Weiss and Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason are excited to bring you this and more in the SEA Tween and Teen Book Clubs!
The supplemental components of these Book Clubs brings these up to the level your students would get in middle school and high school literature classes.
At the same time, your family is free to pick and choose how much you use, so you can adapt each Club to fit your own schedule and time constraints. Each of these has suggested writing assignments that are thought-provoking, helping students dig deeper and investigate concepts more fully.
For an additional cost, Sabrina and Michelle will provide students with meaningful feedback that focuses on their strengths and challenges. Feedback will be given for rough and final drafts of projects and papers included in the class materials.
Class materials are housed on Teachable. Learners will use the online classroom and Zoom for interactive components. Those using the Feedback Add-On will use Google Drive and/or Dropbox to submit assignments.
Enrollment includes access to the following:
- A suggested reading schedule
- A PDF reading guide with comprehension questions
- Vocabulary activities
- Discussion board posts in our online classroom
- Writing/multimodal project prompts related to the reading
- An invitation to a live discussion
- A recording of the summary of the live discussion
Time Commitment
The amount of time really varies by student and how much they want to participate. Those who want to do all activities, explore all resources, and participate in online discussions leading up to the live meeting could easily spend 4-5 hours a week on the class.
Those who just want to read the book and show up to the live session may spend 2-3 hours per week.
Live Sessions Meet on Zoom
We’ll meet live on Monday, March 27 at 1pm Eastern
Content Note
As we discuss specific authors from any given time period, topics about the historical context may arise. These poems have been specifically chosen for younger readers and avoid the most commonly troubling themes and topics.
To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following:
- A copy of the book How to Eat a Poem: (ISBN: 9781442000230). Borrowed, used, and audio formats will work.
- Microphone and camera for in-class participation
- Zoom (free account)
- PDF reader for accessing materials
Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason
Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason has a Ph.D. in English with an emphasis on rhetoric and composition. She has more than a decade of teaching experience including six years of full-time college experience
Similar Courses
We have thoroughly enjoyed ancient history with Sam Matalone Cook and would love to continue following the history courses under her instruction. Michelle’s writing workshop was a welcomed addition to our semester and the ease of adding on a quick workshop to the semester was appreciated. I do wish that I could take classes, too. The great selection makes me jealous; Fairy Tales and Feminism would be so incredible to join in and to learn with Sam! And the LGBTQ+ history and US courses! Blair’s enthusiasm for science comes across strongly and is encouraging for the young learners. So many great classes- so little time.
Sheila and Elisa
So many great classes- so little time.
My Zoom-averse daughter looked forward to the weekly online meetings. Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions. My daughter was motivated to work hard on her assignments and has asked to take another class from Michelle. E.F.P.
Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I really appreciated your enthusiasm, support, and kind words in your video feedback messages to him. That goes a long way! [Learner] is going to a brick and mortar school next year for the first time since fourth grade. We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English! Woohoo! Jill G.
We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
The video lectures were clear and packed full of helpful and important writing lessons. The video and written feedback was clearly personalized, very detailed, and extremely beneficial for my learner. Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes! Kristi R.
Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I only wish we had found Michelle sooner! I’ve been homeschooling my son off and on for years. Writing is very challenging for him and it is so difficult to take feedback from a parent. I have begged so many of his teachers to please offer direct, concise, written feedback and give him the opportunity to revise. I knew this would be the only way he could improve. This class was everything I’ve been asking for for years…..except I didn’t have to ask! It is designed this way and it worked brilliantly! My son gets to attend an adventure school in the fall, but if we homeschool the following year, the first thing I will do is sign him up for whatever Michelle is teaching. E.F.P.
I only wish we had found Michelle sooner!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I really appreciate how organized the class was, how clear the expectations and guidelines were and how professional and encouraging the feedback delivery was. Darcey
I really appreciate how organized the class was
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I just want to take a few minutes to send a huge thank you for the way you deliver (have delivered) feedback to [Learner]. He tends to put a lot of pressure on himself and doesn’t often take feedback or constructive criticism well. You have managed to give him a boost of confidence and an opportunity to look inward to appreciate feedback from others. I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey! Karen
I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting. It awakens something in him he craves and can only get from discussions like the one today. Bevin Early
He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting.
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
I especially enjoyed the final project for this class, which was something I had never tried before, using creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points. It was quite a bit challenging, ultimately leaving me satisfied with the ending result.
I used creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
For us, this is “authentic learning.” We discussed how community college classes and other virtual online high school classes might be accredited and “weigh” a lot in terms of grades and credits, but SEA Online Classes is where her mind and creativity are challenged and inspired. I’d like to emphasize the part about creativity. She felt invited to engage creatively. SEA Online classes are where the love of learning happens.
SEA Online classes are where the love of learning happens.
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason
