Host literature circle presentations

A LITERATURE CIRCLE is a small group — usually four to six readers — who all read the same book and then meet to talk about it. It is not a quiet quiz. It is a SHARED PRESENTATION where each reader brings something different to the table: a recap, a question, a connection, a vivid word, a quick sketch, or a fact. As the HOST, your job is not to know every answer. Your job is to run a clear agenda, hand the floor to the right reader at the right moment, and keep the talk moving.

Five stops on a 20-minute agenda

1. WELCOME — greet the circle, name the book and the chapters or pages everyone read.
2. ROLE SHARE-OUTS — each role takes about one minute to share their prep.
3. BIG QUESTION — the host poses ONE open question to the whole group.
4. DISCUSSION — the talk passes around; build on each answer; invite quieter readers by name.
5. WRAP-UP — name two big ideas the group landed on, and choose the next book and date.

Six roles around the table

• DISCUSSION LEADER — opens the meeting, runs the agenda, passes the talk, and closes with a summary.
• SUMMARIZER — recaps the chapters or events in three or four sentences so everyone is on the same page.
• CONNECTOR — links the book to real life, another book, or a current news story.
• WORD WIZARD — picks two vivid or tricky words and explains both meaning and effect.
• ILLUSTRATOR — brings a quick sketch of one scene and explains why that moment matters.
• INVESTIGATOR — brings one outside fact about the author, setting, or topic of the book.

How to host with confidence

1. OPEN with focus — "Today we are talking about chapters 7 and 8 of Wonder."
2. INTRODUCE each role briefly — "Now we will hear from our Summarizer, then our Connector."
3. POSE one BIG QUESTION — open-ended, starting with Why, How, What if, or Compare.
4. PASS THE TALK — invite a quieter reader by name with a clear question.
5. BUILD on answers — "Can you say more?" or "Does anyone disagree?"
6. CLOSE with TWO big ideas and the next book pick.