This quasi-experimental, quantitative study examined the attitudes and actions of
book club members after reading and discussing a multicultural book, The Namesake
(Lahiri, 2003). The specific focus of this study was to determine the significant
differences in attitudes and actions concerning race and ethnicity. A Diversity Survey was used to gather information from 11 book clubs. The Survey was analyzed through a dependent t test for six research hypotheses.
Results of the study indicated statistically significant changes in book club
members’ attitudes concerning multicultural issues after they had read and discussed The Namesake. Moreover, there were statistically significant changes in attitudes concerning issues of race. However, there were not significant changes in actions concerning racial and ethnic issues.
Future research should examine demographic factors and shared purposes that
appear to be a significant influence in participants’ discussions. Overall, results of the study indicate that book clubs which provide a common reading experience through which participants can share, listen, and discuss personal responses to text in a supportive environment may be catalysts for growth.