Our group met tonight to discuss our October selection -- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Unfortunately, neither Daisy daughter nor her mother finished the book. I have read it before, but it's been years, and my 40 year old brain just didn't remember the details like I thought I would. Daisy daughter had a hard time getting thru it. I'm not sure if it was the "science fiction" subject matter or what exactly, but she only made it thru about 5 chapters before giving up. I had hard time motivating her, since I was a bad literary example.
However, the other girls and mothers that were there loved the book. One of DD's peers who was the most reluctant to read it, had not quite finished in time for our discussion, but was so worried that we would spoil the ending, she made us promise to not talk about it! I'm not sure why I thought this would be "above" our girls' heads, but I was mistaken (well, except for mine!). Our hostess had the CD version of Madeleine L'Engle reading the book and played a portion of the book for the girls. Wow, she had a great narrating voice. DD loves listening to audio books, so when I am at the library on Thursday, I'm going to check it out -- hopefully she will be able to finish it by listening instead of reading!
Our next selection is:
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Summary: As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.
I'm not sure how successful this book will be with our girls, but I totally underestimated how the girls would react to the above, so I hope I'm pleasantly surprised! I read it earlier in the year and wasn't overly impressed, but I know I am in the minority, as this has been highly praised. (Hence the medallion award on the cover).
Also, we are talking about reading some nonfiction for our January Mother/Daughter book club (we take December off for the holidays) -- does anyone have any nonfiction suggestions for juvenile readers? The only thing that comes to mind is biographies.
What a brilliant idea - mother/daughter book club! Will have to file that away for when my girl is a little older. As for NF suggestions, hmm, tough. Maybe something that focuses on a historical event or movement?? I can't think of any titles, but was thinking of subjects such as civil rights movement, holocaust, Civil war??
ReplyDeleteI'm curious of the ages of these girls? We are doing a family book club and my girls are loving it and I love the idea of a mother/daughter club but not sure my girls are old enough.
ReplyDeleteA couple of NF selections that come to mind are Three Cups of Tea...I read this but I have seen that there is also a version for young readers. The other is Same Kind of Different as Me. I have read this also and it is WONDERFUL. I think a pre-teen girl could read it and be inspired.
@Kylie:
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing -- an "historical event" book -- but couldn't come up with anything specific. I've asked our reading resource specialist at school if she can come up with some ideas. When she does, I will pass them along.
@Kandi:
Our girls are 4th graders -- so 9 yrs, getting ready to turn 10. We started last year, which may have been too young, but we perservered.
Three cups of tea is a great idea, but I think Same Kind is a bit to advanced yet. Thanks for your suggestions!
I love this concept. I'm curious about your next book, I have seen it around but haven't picked it up.
ReplyDeleteAs with most of us, I have too many reading commitments right now to pick up extra books.
Have a great week!
I remember absolutley loving this book in elementary school!! One of my all time favorites!
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