Doonfoot Primary in South Ayrshire invited P6-7 pupils to choose their own novels from a selection offered and work in small groups. The groups meet regularly to discuss their chosen novel. The children set their own pace and select the focus for discussion, for example, characters, plot or authors’ craft, with the emphasis on personal response. The circle helps the children engage in critical thinking and reflection on what they have read. Collaboration is at the heart of the approach and the pupils often reshape and extend their understanding through discussion with their peers. Their enthusiasm and level of motivation has been “hugely rewarding”, says the school, and “switched many pupils on to being life-long readers”.