While a considerable number of teenagers spend their time engrossed in the digital space, Grade Seven Arbor Primary learner Bophelo Motsatse has turned his focus to a more conventional form of entertainment: reading.
For the 13-year-old, books are a source of interest, fun and escapism and provide a riveting reality to an otherwise mundane world around him.
Sharing his passion with others, Bophelo runs a book club at his school, where learners from Grades Three to Seven share their insights on books they’ve read and even critique them.
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“We all get a book to read and when we meet after school hours on a Friday for about half an hour, we share our experiences of the books,” he explained.
“We also act out some of the scenes from the books.
“There is a register, so we keep track of regular attendees and the books they read.
“The members of the club are able to tell us what they found interesting about the book or what they disliked about it.
“They also offer suggestions as to what they feel would have made the book more appealing.”
The books, Bophelo explained, were donated to the book club by sponsors and also consisted of books he brought to the club.
“We took the ages of the children into consideration when we started the club so that the books would be age-appropriate,” he said.
“The books range from genres like fantasy and science fiction and also include non-fiction books that focus on areas like sport.”
The avid reader also provides content for a Facebook page where he does book reviews.
“My mom, Lerato, manages the page, but I create content for it.
“We started the page about three to four years ago and every time I get a new book I do a review, but I do not give spoilers away.
“I also take my time to read a book because I like to enjoy what I am reading.”
Lerato jokingly said he reads too much and even reads before getting ready for school in the mornings.
“When I’m reading I’m in the zone,” said Bophelo.
“I become the protagonist of the story and can see everything from his or her eyes.”
A stickler for facts, Bophelo also analyses the books he has read, and if a book forms part of a series and something different is mentioned, he goes back to the earlier books and rereads to check if he might have missed something.
Bophelo listed the following advantages of reading:
• Helps build vocabulary
• Is a stress-reliever
• Helps build concentration
• Improves spelling
• Learning new things about the world around you
• Improves imagination significantly.
Donate a children’s book: The City Times Children’s Book Drive continues until September 30. Donations of children’s books in good condition can be dropped off at our office, in Northmead Square, and remember to write a special message inside for the next little recipient of the book. The books will be donated to various local charities that foster a love for reading and books in children.
