CENTRAL: ESL Book Club

About

The ESL Book Club is a fun opportunity to practice your English reading, speaking, and listening skills. Join us to discuss award-winning novels, non-fiction books, classic American/English books, and meet new people. Registration is not required. We look forward to seeing you! In this session we'll be discussing We Still Belong by Christine Day. Please scroll down to see the discussion questions. See our 2026 ESL Book Club reading list in the library's catalog. If you have questions about this program, please email: librarians@santaclaraca.gov or call: 408-615-2900 Your attendance to this program grants permission to the City of Santa Clara to take your photograph and/or your child's photograph for marketing purposes. Discussion questions for November 6 session: What does it mean to belong? What are some things that make you feel like you belong in a group or a community? Which school clubs and activities did Wesley participate in? How important do you feel that clubs and school activities are for middle and high school students? Why do you think that Wesley was so nervous about having her poem appear in the school newspaper? What was Wesley’s teacher’s reaction to her poem? Do you think it was fair? What plan did Wesley have to invite Ryan to the dance? Do you think it was a good plan? Is seventh grade too early to have a love interest? How should parents handle it when their young teens have a crush on someone? Before asking Ryan to the Tolo, Wesley was delayed by a girl in the bathroom. What does that tell us about her character? What did you think of Chris, Wesley’s dad? On the way to the powwow, when her mom asked if she was okay, Wesley said, “I will be.” Why did she answer that way? What is a powwow? Would you like to attend one? Does your culture have similar celebrations? How did Wesley’s powwow experience change her feelings about her poem? About herself? The characters in this book are promoting having Columbus Day be replaced by Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Do you agree with them? Why/Why not? At the end of the book, Wesley is marveling at the new friendships that formed that day. She wonders about whether friendships are formed by fate, chance or by the intervention of others. Do you think that your significant friendships happened by random chance, by destiny, or by intervention by someone or a higher power? Who was your favorite character and how would you rate this book (1=terrible, 10=super)?