Reading. Reflecting. Discussing. Agreeing. Disagreeing.

Since 1996, the Juvenile Court Book Club (JCBC) has provided a forum for children in the court school system – who are the wards of the San Diego Juvenile Court – to share books and develop reading skills. Monthly, at each site, book club students gather with adult volunteers to discuss a wide range of literature. The books chosen serve as a springboard for discussions on personal issues important to participants.

The book club was developed by Hon. Maria Arroyo, Juvenile Court Referee (now retired), with support and encouragement from Hon. James Milliken, former Presiding Judge of the San Diego Juvenile Court.

The books for the club are selected to provide the students with appropriate, thought provoking titles.

Additionally, at each facility, a donated library of age-appropriate books benefits all residents at that site.

Juvenile Court Book Club, Inc. is a non-profit, public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation and gratefully acknowledges support from the Weingart-Price Fund at San Diego Foundation, Friends of Children United Society (FOCUS), the Rancho Santa Fe Women's Fund, the Lawyers Club's Fund For Justice, the San Diego Council on Literacy, and numerous other sponsors from the local community.

Juvenile Court Book Club, Inc. is the proud winner of the award for "Outstanding
Program for Youth" from the San Diego Juvenile Justice Commission, as well as the 2011 "Celebrate Literacy Award" from the Greater San Diego Reading Association (GSDRA).

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ALL JCBC volunteers must complete a background check with Volunteers in Probation. For forms and further information, please contact: Volunteer Coordinator, Bobbie Kunath Introducing: our NEW writing program JCBC is a proud member of the San Diego Council on Literacy

DID YOU KNOW... • 70% of juveniles who are incarcerated for first time offenses never have further delinquency charges. • The average 16-year-old court school student reads at a fourth to sixth grade level. • The Juvenile Court Book Club program is comprised entirely of adult volunteers and youth who are delinquent wards of the Juvenile Court. • Students often have the opportunity to meet and interact with authors. • Field trips, speakers, and movies are often additional parts of the book club activity.