Bridgit M. Hirsch started a youth book club at Case Middle School in Watertown last year and since then has seen firsthand the impact a reading club can have on students.

Ms. Hirsch, a consultant teacher in the district, will take her expertise and experience with the program and present it at the Greater Thousand Islands Literacy Council's "What's the Big News About Book Clubs" on Wednesday.

"I'll be explaining the how-to of youth book clubs," said Ms. Hirsch, who is also vice president of the council. "I'll them how to find meeting times, how to talk to principals and make fliers. It's important to start out small and invite other teachers and members of the community."

Ms. Hirsch said the interest in her book club has skyrocketed since she started it and it continues to grow.

Pupils in grades six through eight meet from 7:10 to 7:25 a.m. every Wednesday in the auditorium at the middle school.

"I thought about everything I was learning and getting out of my adult book clubs, so I wanted to bring it to a kids' level," Ms. Hirsch said. "I wanted them to see that it's fun and it's not something they just have to do for school. It's great for them to be able to talk about books. It helps them understand and enjoy them."

She said she has every type of student in her book club, but the love of reading brings them all together.

"I have students with learning disabilities and students who are at the top of their classes, but they're all coming together during this time and talking about these books," she said. "A lot of time we run out of time because we just talk so much."

Debra J. Dermady, president of the literacy council, said she is looking forward to having Ms. Hirsch speak because she knows many teachers have questions about forming their own book clubs.

"Book clubs are becoming very popular," she said. "They are being started across the country in schools and libraries. It's a great way for kids to get together to read, write and communicate about what they've been reading. I hope everyone can start thinking about starting their own clubs and gain some ideas on how to liven up the reading activities that they already do in their classrooms and programs."

The workshop is being held in conjunction with October's designation as the "Month of the Young Adolescent."

It is open to the literacy council members as well as teachers and librarians in the north country. It will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in rooms A and B of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Watertown.

The cost is $12 for council members and $15 for nonmembers. For details or to sign up, e-mail ddermady@1000islandss

chools.org or call 686-5578.