Designed to help teachers get started using literature circles in their classrooms, this book gives teachers a boost to begin, offers some insights from other teachers, and helps teachers clarify where to go next. It notes that literature circles (or literature study groups, book clubs, or discussion circles) take many forms and engage students in meaningful response to literature in a variety of ways. After an introduction, the chapters are: (1) Building a Framework for Literature Circles; (2) Classroom Climate; (3) Structure; (4) Good Books for Literature Circles; (5) Discussion; (6) Response Journals; (7) Focus Lessons: Incorporating Literacy Strategies; and (8) Extension Projects. Contains 38 references and a 95-item list of children's literature cited. (RS)