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I don't think a straight book club held in a library will teach anyone the joys of reading. Well maybe one person.
If they son't like reading, they are pretty unlikely to even go to the library, although I know there are other functions held there. Most involve reading, being read to or computer literacy courses. Not going to draw in your 9 year old crowd of non-readers. And in the unlikely event of parents forcing children to go, in many cases that will make them resentful and have the opposite effect.
Many people will enter a contest they have no hope or expectation of winning or even doing well. Some are just filling out forms, some are games of skill like poker, bridge, marathons, Soccer games, pool tournaments etc.
To many the competition gives a certain edge. A prime example is a marathon. People enter it who are in poor shape and know they will just as likely finish last. These people can run around the yard for an hour or two a day with the same result. But the fact that it is a competition gives a certain incentive to many people. The aren't trying to overachieve or get a prize. It just spices it up a little.
I loved reading even as a 3 year old, and my brother actually asked me to help him learn to read before he was three. My sister has never read a book, and is 60 now, so unlikely that she will.
I doubt I would have joined a reading club even if such a thing existed for children at that time and place, but I would probably have joined a contest.
I know a lot more people who don't read fiction books or history, or biographies etc. then those that do. Many people do not read fiction books because they just don't enjoy it. Roughly half of them at least read newspapers, magazines, the odd book or two about their hobby, facebook, email, cookbooks and scandal magazines. These aren't stupid people, they just don't enjoy reading books.
A competition might draw in an occasional non-reader just because the like to compete, win or lose (one definition of a good sport), but I doubt a book club would even with a prize for all and a party at the end. Most intelligent nine-year olds would feel that spending time doing something they liked to do could yield as good or better prizes and parties.
Helen
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