BIG RIG BOOK CLUB
PARTICIPATION MANUAL
 THE BIG RIG BOOK CLUB OVERVIEW
 BIG RIG BOOK CLUB PROGRAM DETAILS
 SITE ASSESSMENT FORM
 BOOK CLUB MEMBER’S READING LOG
 READER’S AND PARENT’S PLEDGE
 CLASS SCHEDULE
 STUDENT’S READING RESPONSE FORMS
For more information and/or to participate in our
program, contact
John Gervase at
708-205-1516 or bigrigbooks@gmail.org
THE BIG RIG BOOK CLUB
OVERVIEW
We at Big Rig Books do not believe in handouts and we want
accountability for the books we distribute. Big Rig Book’s reading
program, The Big Rig Book Club, enlists the support of librarians,
teachers, parents/guardians, mentors or tutors to account for the
books that the children are given by completing a provided book
response form and reading log each time a book is read.
The Big Rig is a 36’ bookmobile trailer that has a 7000 book
capacity and is pulled by a custom painted Peterbilt semi-truck that
are both designed to attract and excite children. We make regularly
scheduled visits to a location, where children, with adult assistance,
can choose a reading level appropriate, new or gently used book to
add to or begin their own home libraries. Our program duration is
for a 6 month long period each year.
We can typically host about 18 kindergarten or 12 high school
students at the same time. We recommend that at least two staff
personnel (ideally a librarian and a teacher) accompany the children
to help them select a suitable book. About 10 minutes is the
average amount of time it takes each group to pick out a book and
not feel rushed. More or less time per group is acceptable. The
scheduling and facilitating of each group or class is the
responsibility of the site’s personnel.
It is important to note that our big rig is truly a big rig and
appropriate space and access will need to be provided for parking
by taking height and length into consideration.
The Big Rig Book Club program details
1. We will first ask to have our assessment form completed with
responses to questions regarding the grades and amount of
children to be served at the site, determine how long each visit
should last and quantity of materials needed, etc.
2. Prior to our first visit, we will provide a copy of our reader’s and
parent’s pledge to be signed by each participating student and their
parent or guardian.
3. Upon the student’s first visit, they are to hand their signed pledges
to a Big Rig Book’s staff member upon entering the bookmobile.
The student is then allowed to pick out a book to take home and
keep. Upon exiting, they will be handed a Big Rig Books’
bookmark and a grade appropriate book response form.
4. Before our next and subsequent visits, each student is to turn in
their book response form to their teacher or a staff member to
prove they have read their book or have had their book read to
them. If the student’s book response is satisfactory to their
teacher/staff, they are to be handed a Big Rig Books membership
card (provided) that will allow them the privilege to receive another
book to take home and keep. If the response form is not
adequately completed, then the membership card should be
denied to the student. A Big Rig Books staff member will collect
the response forms from the teacher/staff member, before their
students leave, to keep for our records.
5. It is our goal that at the end of our 6 month long program, each Big
Rig Book Club member will have increased their reading skills,
reading enjoyment and their desire to read recreationally; involved
their families and have become good examples to their families
about the importance of reading and literacy.
SITE ASSESSMENT FORM
Please answer questions that are appropriate for your site (some may not apply)
 Percentage of Title 1 students? ______
 Is there an appropriate space for our rig to enter,
exit and park at your site (the rig is 66’ long and 13’4”
tall)? _______
 Is there a 120 volt, 15 amp outlet within 100 feet of
our parking location (not mandatory)? ______
 What are the grade levels you would like us to
serve? _______________
 Average class size? ______
 Total number of children per visit? ______
 Time per class preferred (we recommend about 1015 minutes)? ______
 How many adults per class can you provide to assist
each child in choosing a book (we recommend about
a 1 to 8 ratio)? ______
 How often would you like Big Rig Books to visit your
site (we recommend once a month)? ______
School contact ______________________________
Phone # ___________________________________
Email _____________________________________
*please note that we are wheelchair accessible and assistance is available if
requested.
BOOK CLUB MEMBER’S READING
LOG
TEACHER TO PROVIDE BOOK CLUB MEMBER’S NAME AND MARK EACH
TIME A READING RESPONSE IS TURNED IN (GOAL IS 6 BOOKS PER
MEMBER)
MEMBER NAME
READ
BOOKS READ
MEMBER NAME
BOOKS
READER’S PLEDGE
I promise to read every day and each night.
I know it’s the key to growing up right.
I’ll read to myself, I’ll read to a crowd.
It makes no difference if silent or loud.
I’ll read at my desk, at home and at school,
On my bean bag or bed, by the fire or pool.
Each book that I read puts smarts in my head
‘cause brains grow more thoughts the more they are fed.
Come rain or come shine, snow, wind or sleet,
Each day of the week reading’s a treat.
So I take this pledge to make reading my way
Of feeding my brain what it needs every day.
-by Debra Angstead
________________________
Student Signature
_____________
Date
PARENT’S PLEDGE
I understand that my child’s reading ability is critical to his/her success in life. I realize that
families that read together, succeed together. Because I love my child and want the best
future for him/her…
I PLEDGE TO:
encourage my child to read for fun and recreation, as well as for education.
provide a time in the day and a quiet place for my child to read each and every day.
make my child’s reading a priority in our home.
read to my child or have my child read to me each and every day.
ask my child questions every day about what he/she is reading.
________________________
_____________
Parent Signature
Date
* Return this signed pledge sheet to your child’s teacher so he/she may become an official
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