For the last three years, the Grant High School Quarterly Book Study has provided Grant students the space to foster thoughtful discussions about books they’ve been reading as a group and attend events featuring the authors.
Started by Grant Teacher Librarian Paige Battle, the program covers one book each quarter, giving students the chance to read and discuss up to four books per school year. The book study has room for up to 25 students, and members are expected to complete the reading and attend as many of the weekly meetings as possible.
This year, the study’s meetings have been held during lunch on Wednesdays in different rooms depending on the week. Battle supervises and leads their discussions on the quarter’s book. “ Sometimes we’ll discuss the symbolism and what we think of what’s happening to the characters. It’s more deep than (a lot of other book clubs),” says Lily Nelson, a current member of the study.
A junior at Grant, Nelson has been a loyal Quarterly Book Study participant since her sophomore year. She was first introduced to the group after seeing a flyer about it in The Grantonian, Grant’s weekly newsletter. As an avid reader, the chance to try out new genres attracted her. More specifically, though, the current quarter’s
book was one that Nelson had been wanting to read: “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.
“The books that Ms. Battle chooses are based off the authors that are coming to Portland, so for every book, you get the opportunity to go (see the author),” says Nelson. “It’s just been fun to be able to hear what the authors’ perspectives are, and a lot of the time they give so much more insight about the book.”
Members of the Quarterly Book Study are able to attend these events for free. Sometimes, when extra tickets are available, they can even invite friends or family. Students involved in the book study are also provided a free copy of that quarter’s book.
These opportunities are made possible by the Literary Arts’ Youth Programs, which provide the books and event tickets for the study. Because of the vitality of these donations, Battle sets up meetings at the end of each quarter for the participating students to create thank-you cards for the organization. “Manners matter, and expressions of gratitude never fail to make others feel good,” Battle writes.
The first Quarterly Book Study of the 2025-26 school year focused on “James” by Percival Everett, a recipient of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Quarter two’s book was “Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín. Released in 2009, the book was later adapted into a film starring actress Saoirse Ronan.
“My goal as the Teacher Librarian for Grant is to make sure students develop habits and skills to be lifelong learners and readers,” Battle writes. “I think it’s important to provide opportunities in school to read something just for fun and to learn from other readers and writers, as it helps us all practice radical empathy.”
