Book Parade

Love to read? Book Parade is a year-round reading program for Young Mensans. Read whatever interests you, then share something about the book or create something inspired by it. There’s no reading list and no deadline—just find a book you want to read and join the parade!

Book Parade is an American Mensa Gifted Youth program.
Mensa membership is required to participate.

Step 1: Get a Book

Choose any book that interests you. It could be a new release, a classic, something for school, or a story you just can’t put down. If you’re reading, it counts!

Step 2: Read a Book

Enjoy the story! The program runs year-round, so take your time and read at your own pace.

Step 3: Make It Yours

Now pick an activity to respond to your book in your own way. Try one of these:

Write a book review (200–500 words)
Record a short video review (30–90 seconds)
Create an “If you liked this book, you’ll love…” list of 3+ titles
Illustrate a scene from your book
Design an alternate book cover
Make fan art, a comic, or a poem inspired by your book
Build a playlist that fits the story’s mood or theme
Watch a movie version and compare it to the book
Come up with your own idea

Send your submission to bookparade@americanmensa.org. Be sure to include your name, the book’s title and author, and your Mensa member number so we can confirm your membership.

You can submit one entry for each book you read, and there’s no limit on the number of books you can submit. Your submissions may be featured on the Mensa for Kids website, social media, or other Mensa publications.

Step 5: Keep Reading!

Go back to Step 1 and start over with a new book.

Featured Reader

Each month, we’ll spotlight a Young Mensan and their reading life! Want to be featured? Send us a photo and answer a few questions about what you’re reading life.

What’s the last book you read?
What are three books you’d recommend to almost anyone?
What’s your favorite genre?
Who’s your favorite author?
What’s a book you started but just couldn’t finish?
Where’s your favorite place to read?
If you could spend one day inside any book, which would you choose?

Parents – you can march, too!

Finding books that are both intellectually engaging and a good fit for a child's age and interests isn't always easy.

We’d love to hear what has worked in your family. Tell us about the books, series, and authors your Young Mensan has loved, especially those that offered plenty to think about while still being a good fit for them.

You can also help us build a collection of recommendations for parents of gifted kids. Have you read a book that gave you a new perspective on giftedness, helped you navigate a particular parenting challenge, or simply made you feel a little less alone? We’d love to hear about it.

Send your recommendations to bookparade@americanmensa.org with:

Your name and/or your child’s name and Mensa member number
The title and author
Whether you’re recommending it for a Young Mensan or a parent
A few sentences about why you recommend it

We may feature selected recommendations on the Mensa for Kids website or in future Book Parade materials.

Local Group Participation Guide

Want to bring Book Parade to your local group? Here are some ways you can incorporate this program into your local group activities:

Share book reviews and reading recommendations in your Local Group newsletter
Start or join a local group book club
Host a book tasting or a blind date with a book
Add a book swap table to your local group’s Regional Gathering, annual picnic, holiday party, or other event
Organize a book drive to help a local organization
Build a Little Free Library as a local group service project