“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” ― Victor Hugo
What is Tome Society?
The short answer:
Tome Society is a book club for students in grades 2-12. Students in club chapters read and discuss great books, create items to enter in literacy-based competitions, and participate in virtual and in-person literacy events.
The official answer:
Tome Student Literacy Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Georgia. Tome Society serves students in grades 2-12 by providing a diverse menu of digital student competitions; an annual book award list of new, PG, fun-to-read children's and young adult literature titles; student book club activities; curriculum materials for educators; and the TomeCon annual conference for both students and educators. All activities promote self-esteem, leadership skills, character ethics, and nurture critical thinking, creativity, and imagination in the digital age.
Tome Society is a book club for students in grades 2-12. Students in club chapters read and discuss great books, create items to enter in literacy-based competitions, and participate in virtual and in-person literacy events.
The official answer:
Tome Student Literacy Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Georgia. Tome Society serves students in grades 2-12 by providing a diverse menu of digital student competitions; an annual book award list of new, PG, fun-to-read children's and young adult literature titles; student book club activities; curriculum materials for educators; and the TomeCon annual conference for both students and educators. All activities promote self-esteem, leadership skills, character ethics, and nurture critical thinking, creativity, and imagination in the digital age.
Who can participate?
Students in grades 2-12 who are members of a local chapter at their public, private, or homeschool, public library, or other civic organization (such as 4H) may participate in Tome Society. When a group registers a Tome Society chapter, all of the students in their organization (school, library, etc) become eligible to participate in Tome activities and competitions. Tome is for all students, not just a Reading Bowl team!!
Tome Society chapters are divided into 3 levels:
Tome Society chapters are divided into 3 levels:
- Club Tome - Elementary School - grades 2-5
- Jr Tome - Middle School - grades 6-8
- Tome Society - High School - grades 9-12
How do I start a chapter?
Starting a Tome Society chapter is very easy. Simply submit the Annual Chapter Registration Form found here. You will receive an email with a digital invoice for dues. Once you have paid your annual dues - which are based on school/organization size - you are all set! Repeat these steps each year for your chapter to remain active and eligible for competition participation and chapter-only perks.
What are the Chapter-Only Perks?
Only registered, active chapters receive these benefits:
- Competition eligibility, including Reading Bowl competition
- Exclusive Tome Society Discussion Guide for each It List book
- Early-registration eligibility for TomeCon
- Exclusive It List author content and events, such as Tome Exclusive videos, virtual chats and interviews
What is the Tome Society book award list?
The Tome Book Award is our annual book list, released each February. The books selected for the annual Tome Society Book Award serve as content for most of our competitions, including the Reading Bowl. Tome Society Book Award nominees are recently published children's, middle grades, and young adult titles that are free from excessive profanity and blush-worthy scenes. See the current nominees and explore our archives on the Books page.
The Tome Book Award list is divided into 3 levels:
The Tome Book Award list is divided into 3 levels:
- Club Tome - Elementary School - 10 titles
- 3 titles are selected as "Primary Picks" - best for our 2nd grade students
- Jr Tome - Middle School - 12 titles
- Tome Society - High School - 20 titles
What are the competitions?
Students in active Tome Society chapters may compete in as many competitions as they like at the local level; however, chapters may only submit 1 entry per category per year on the national level. Entries are submitted digitally twice a school year by the chapter adviser for national judging. The Reading Bowl competition is only open to students in grades 3-12. See the full list of competitions, rules and details on the Competitions page.
What is Reading Bowl?
The Tome Society Reading Bowl is a digital competition in which students take 3 multiple-choice online exams during the school year based on the books on their chapter level's Tome Book Award list. See the Reading Bowl page for full rules, exam book lists, and dates.
- Chapters may have up to 15 members on their Reading Bowl Team.
- Students in grades 3-12 may participate in Reading Bowl.
- Members of the Reading Bowl team will read all of the books on their chapter level's Tome Book Award list.
- Elementary teams will be tested on 7 of the 10 books on their list.
- Books are divided amongst 3 multiple-choice digital exams taken during pre-determined testing windows.
- Exams are proctored and timed.
- Questions are based on content from the Tome Book Award books.
- Students compete individually, but team score is based on average of top 5 individual scores.
- The top 4 teams in each chapter level advance to the in-person, quiz-bowl style championship round in person at TomeCon.
What is TomeCon?
TomeCon is our end-of-year conference where chapters from across the country come together to meet each other and celebrate their accomplishments from the year. TomeCon is a one day, full day event that takes place in North Georgia in mid-March.
Each year we invite your favorite current and past Tome Society Book Award Authors to attend the event and teach classes on writing and other literacy topics. We also invite other guests to lead sessions on various topics, some of which include: art, health, animals, comic books, anime, journalism, technology, STEM, poetry, video games, and more!
Tome Society publishes a Session Guide before each TomeCon listing all of the classes and events offered. Students may select a class or event to attend during each session throughout the day (typically 8 sessions). Chapters are highly encouraged to attend, and to bring parents/chaperones. Only active chapters are eligible for early registration. Tickets do sell out! Visit the TomeCon page for more info.
What to expect at TomeCon:
Each year we invite your favorite current and past Tome Society Book Award Authors to attend the event and teach classes on writing and other literacy topics. We also invite other guests to lead sessions on various topics, some of which include: art, health, animals, comic books, anime, journalism, technology, STEM, poetry, video games, and more!
Tome Society publishes a Session Guide before each TomeCon listing all of the classes and events offered. Students may select a class or event to attend during each session throughout the day (typically 8 sessions). Chapters are highly encouraged to attend, and to bring parents/chaperones. Only active chapters are eligible for early registration. Tickets do sell out! Visit the TomeCon page for more info.
What to expect at TomeCon:
- Reading Bowl Championship in-person competition
- Book Talk in-person competition
- Award Ceremonies
- Meet-and-Greets with Tome Book Award-winning Authors
- Concurrent teaching sessions with authors and other guests
- Shopping for Tome Book Award Books, Tome Swag, and other bookish merchandise
How can I help?
Volunteers are the magic that makes Tome possible! Here are a few areas where we always need new volunteers & support:
- Readers to review titles to consider for the Tome Society Book Award
- TomeCon volunteers
- TomeCon raffle gift baskets - this is our biggest fund raiser of the year!
Meet the Tome Team
Meet the women behind Tome Society on our Tome Team page.
Need more info?
We'd love to talk to you personally or schedule a meeting with your organization!
Email us at [email protected].
Email us at [email protected].
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Tome Student Literacy Society
[email protected] PO Box 129 . Lula . GA . 30554 |