Cookie Exchange 2011

We  want cookies!

Yea!  Cookies!

The Locale:  Smith & Elizabeth's

The Fun:
For the 2nd time, Smith & Elizabeth graciously hosted a Cookie Exchange for us. Everyone brought 2 1/2 dozen cookies--a 1/2 dozen to munch on at the exchange and 2 dozen to share. While Moms chatted and munched, the Girls had a Wii Competition. Girls & moms left with a variety of yummy delights to munch on over the winter break. Afterward, several of us went to the movies to see Hugo, the movie version of one of our favorite reads, The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It was great!! Thanks again, Smith & Elizabeth!

Who Presents Next: Cassie & Susan

Up Next: Elijah of Buxton at Perri & TJ’s on January 7th.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Locale: Olivia & Susan’s

The Author’s Website: None Available

The Book’s Website: None Available

The Book: A super sharp mystery endowed with a vivid and extensive cast. In the Christie tradition, Raskin isolates a diverse group of strangers--the mysteriously hand-picked tenants of a new apartment building within sight of the old Westing mansion--and presents them with the information that one of them is the murderer. When they are assembled for a reading of old Westing's fiendish will, the group is paired off allotted with four one-word clues to the murderer's identity. As the winning pair is to inherit Westing's fortune, there is much secret conferring, private investigating, far-out scheming, and snitching and scrambling of the teasing, enigmatic clues. (Adapted from the Kirkus reviews)

The Fun:  Adjusting our time to a 4 o’clock meeting, we hosted a mystery party--Murder & Mayhem at the Old DoomMansion purchased online at www.mymysteryparty.com . Invitations and characters were sent out ahead of time. Girls arrived in costume and character. Food was served, courtesy of Shin Hoo’s Chinese Restaurant (a restaurant and frequent setting in The Westing Game). Activities includedHow’d I Die and a Mystery Scramble Challenge, all provided with the purchase of the game. Our meeting came to close after the girls all read their final clues and lines, and an unsuspecting Olivia realized that she was the murderer of Dr. Doom. As our meeting and mystery party came to a close, the Saunders’ Annual Halloween Screen on the Green began. More munchies and an outdoor viewing of The Mummy. Oodles of fun!

The Vote: Emma presented the following books. Meeting TBD. Sometime in February.

• The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John WINNER
• Masterpiece by Elise Broach
• Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy  

Who Presents Next: Cassie & Susan

Changes/Updates: Cassie & Susan passed their opportunity to invite a new mom/daughter group onto Odessa & AiYing. Hopefully, their pair will attend our meeting in January.

Up Next: Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis @ Perri & TJ’s House on January 7th.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

The Locale: Smith & Elizabeth’s

The Author’s Website

The Book’s Website

The Book: Meet Piper McCloud, daughter of farmers. Her parents revel in conformity, so when Piper shows a talent for flying, her parents homeschool her and kept away from outsiders. Finally, her parents let her go to a community picnic, where Piper hopes to meet new friends. Instead, she terrifies the neighbors. In no time, the McCloud farm is besieged. A helicopter brings the empathetic Dr. Letitia Hellion, who whisks Piper off to a secret school for kids with special talents. But things are not what they seem to be. The story soars, just like Piper, with enough loop-de-loops to keep kids uncertain about what will come next. Forester’s plainspoken heroine has a big heart and a strong streak of defiance. (Adapted from the Booklist review posted at Amazon.com)

The Fun (Smith's Report):
For the book club meeting about "The Girl Who Could Fly" we had a Lowland County Picnic. We ate chicken nuggets, macaroni salad, and cole slaw. During our picnic we did a cross word puzzle and checked our answers. Then we discussed the book. Some of the questions that were asked are "If you could have any super power what would you choose?" and "What did you think about Conrad?" We had a great time.

The Girls Who Could Not Fly!

The Vote: Perri presented the following books. Meeting TBD.

• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. WINNER
• Sammy Keys and the Hotel Thief by Wendolyn Van Draanen
• The Host by Stephanie Myers (Note: Moms’ took this book off the table for votes as the main character was a 21 and many felt it may not be appropriate for the girls at this point in time)

Who Presents Next: Emma

Changes/Updates: It’s Cassie & Susan’s turn to invite a new mom/daughter, and they have a couple in mind, who hopefully will join us at the next meeting.

Up Next: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin @ Olivia & Susan’s home on October 29th at a special time, 4:00 - 6:00pm. In keeping with the book theme and Halloween season, it is our goal to have a mystery party event in which each girl will need to arrive in character and play a part in the mystery. Book club will meet from 4-6, dinner will be served about 6pm and then girls...and moms...with additional family members joining in...are invited to stick around for The Saunders’ Annual Spookfest--a backyard, outdoor screening of a spooky, tween friendly Halloween movie.

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

The Locale: Brenda & Katie @ Susan & Olivia’s

The Author’s Website:

The Book: (From School Library Journal)
Grade 5-9.  As the cover proclaims, this story is truly "part everything-but-the-kitchen-sink." Readers first meet Chris when he is a strong-willed, clever child of six. He has run away from home, determined to live on his own in the forest. Edric, a troll, finds him and gives him shelter but cannot make him go back home, and Chris grows up with Edric and his dogs as his family, guided by an etiquette book found in the forest and Edric's own wisdom. As the boy grows, he continues his interest in inventing and watches the princess in the castle across the river. She is headstrong but lonely, and when Chris contacts her by carrier pigeon (or p-mail), they become best friends.

When he takes work at the castle, there is no way that Chris, a commoner, can tell Marigold who he is, and he can only stand by as she is to be married to an unsuitable suitor. When he learns that her life is in danger, he must find a way to save her and the kingdom. This complex, fast-paced plot, a mixture of fantasy, romance, comedy, and coming-of-age novel, succeeds because these characters are compelling, well developed, and sympathetic. Quirky personalities and comic subplots give the story additional texture. Readers will be drawn into this world and be satisfied by the denouement. This blend of genres will appeal to a wide range of readers, and it's all great fun.

The Fun (waiting for Katie’s Report):
(Susan’s Report) Because Brenda & Katie’s new home was not ready to receive visitors, the group was flexible and met at Susan & Olivia’s home. Brenda & Katie has lovely Japanese lanterns to decorate the house like the jewels in Ed’s cave. After some book discussion, Brenda & Katie had a clever p-mail activity. Oodles of fun!

The Vote:  Olivia presented the following books. We will meet @ Olivia & Susan’s on October 29th.

• Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf. 0 votes
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. 7 votes * WINNER 
• The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. 1 vote

Who Presents Next: Perri @ Smith & Elizabeth’s

Changes/Updates: Looking for adding one more mother & daughter team. It is Cassie & Susan’s turn to invite a member, and they had a potential pair. Waiting to hear confirmation.

The Sorta Sisters by Adriane Fogelin

The Locale: Kate & Brenda’s

Adriane Fogelin's Website

The Book's Website

The Book: With insight and compassion, Fogelin explores the complexities and rewards of friendship and family. Twelve-year-old foster child Anna, a quiet loner, hopes she’s finally found a home in Tallahassee with biology teacher Miss Johnette. Outspoken 11-year-old Mica lives on a sailboat in the Keys with her increasingly absent father, a marine biologist. The girls, both nature lovers, become pen pals and “sorta sisters,” as they exchange letters, shells, milkweed seeds, and support on issues such as how to fit in at school and Mica’s father’s alcoholism. A heartfelt story that shows the many factors that create family, friends, and home. Grades 5-8. (From Booklist)

 The Fun (waiting for Kate’s Report): 

(Susan’s Report) We were fortunate enough to have the book’s author, Adrian Fogelin, attend our meeting. Thanks Kate & Brenda! Ms. Fogelin spent time explaining how she came up with the idea for the book--and other books, which aren’t in a series but all involve the same characters and their relationships. So interesting! She also brought her portfolio of original artwork that she created and used for the novel. I look forward to getting Brenda & Kate’s take on the meeting and adding it to the blog.

The Vote: At our April meeting held at Megan & Dawn’s home, both Katie & Smith presented books and votes were cast.

We will meet at Katie & Brenda’s home on August 20th to discuss Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris.

We will meet at Smith & Elizabeth’s home in September/October, date TBD, to discuss The Girl Who Could Fly.

Who Presents Next: Olivia & Susan @ Katie & Brenda’s.

Changes/Updates: Looking for adding one more mother & daughter team, it is Cassie & Susan’s turn to invite a member, who will possibly attend our August meeting.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The Locale:   Megan & Dawn’s

The Author's Website

The Book: Meg Murry, was just a nobody and fought when there was an insult about her family. Meg's father had been experimenting with time-travel when he suddenly disappeared. Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an unearthly stranger appears at their door. She claims to have been blown off course, and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a "tesseract," which, if you didn't know, is a wrinkle in time. But little did Meg know that 1 trip to Mrs.Whatsit’s house would change her life forever. Will Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin outwit the forces of evil as they search through space for their father?

The Fun (Megan’s Report): The first activity was eating! We had a variety of drinks, Comazotz Food (jalapeno and cilantro hummus), Rhythmic Balls (black olives), Meg’s Favorite Sandwich (Tomato), Mom’s Favorite Sandwich (Tuna Fish), CW’s Favorite Sandwich (Liverwurst), Wrinkly Cheese Puffs, Hot Dog in a Wormhole (Pigs in a blanket), and IT Invaded My Cake (Chocolate marble crème cake).

Then we went into the living room for discussion about the book. We asked them a few questions. Ex: Did you like the book? If you could tesseract, where would you tesser to? What character is most like you? What is your favorite character and part of the story?

We drew what we thought Aunt Beast looks like. I thought she looked like half spider, half man in a swim suit. Olivia’s mom took pictures of the drawings.

I finally asked what everyone’s favorite part of lunch was. They all agreed the chocolate cake. It was a fun meeting.

The Vote: Both Katie & Smith presented books:

Katie presented the following books. We will meet at Katie & Brenda’s home in late August, date TBD:

• Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reiley Giff. 2 votes
• Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris. 4 votes * WINNER 
• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson 2 votes

                                       

Smith presented the following books. We will meet at Smith & Elizabeth’s home in September/October, date TBD:

• The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Synder. 1 vote
• The Whispering Mountain by Joan Aiken. 2 votes
• The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester. 4 votes * WINNER

Who Presents Next: Olivia & Susan @ Katie & Brenda’s meeting in August.

Changes/Updates: Thanks to Perri & TJ, we have a new mom & daughter pair--Katie & Brenda...Not to be confused with Kate & Brenda...huh?? : ) Please be sure to add them to your email list. 

Susan & Olivia passed on their time to invite. A new member. Just couldn’t find the right match this time. They pass to Emma & Diana.

Up Next: The Sorta Sisters by AdrianFogelin @ Kate & Brenda’s home on May 14th.

A very exciting note--Ms. Fogelin has agreed to attend our book club meeting on May 14th!!!! Ms. Fogelin has also started a front porch library in her Tallahassee neighborhood. Moms & Daughters should bring gentle used books to donate to her library. You can read about it on her website. 

 

Notes from a Liar & Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko

The Locale: Odessa & AiYing’s

The Author's Website

The Book Website

The Book: For Antonia MacPherson, lying is a way of life. If it weren’t for her best friend, Harrison, and a tiny ball of fluff named Pistachio, she would be miserable. No matter what she does, her mother thinks she’s wrong. Her younger sister, Katherine the Great, takes notes on Ant’s misbehaviors, which she keeps in a spiral notebook for their parents. Her older sister, Your Highness Elizabeth, says Ant is in training to be a juvenile delinquent, Harrison smells like a salami sandwich, and Pistachio should be put out of his misery. With all those royal opinions, who’s going to listen to an Ant?But when a teacher takes Ant under her wing, Ant's way of life may have to change. Just Carol likes the truth. And she won’t take anything less.

The Fun (Odessa’s Report): I had a fun book club meeting this Saturday at my house. We had all read the book Notes from a Liar and her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko. These are the activities we did:

For the first activity, we all were assigned three letters from the alphabet. You would have to use your assigned letters and for each letter you had to come up with a word--for an event, person, anything that relates to the story--from the book that started with it. These are the words we came up with:

Antonia. Bad decisions. Cave man & Carol.Decisions. Elizabeth is your highness. Friends. Giraffe. Harrison. Ice cream treats. Just Carol. Kate. Liar. Mother - real and other mothers. Nit picky mom. Oath. Pistachio. Queen Elizabeth. Rehearsal. Sara's Road & Snotty Sisters. Trophy. Unusual Ant. Vet. Wet with lion pee. X squared. Yellow pages. Zoo Teens.

For the second activity, we played a game called 2 lies and 1 truth. We all had to write down 2 lies and 1 truth, then one by one we read it aloud to everybody. We had to guess which one was the truth. This game relates to the story because Antonia, the main character of the story tells a lot of lies. I thought it was very interesting how for some people we couldn't figure out which one was the truth and for others it was pretty easy.

Kate presented her three books and we voted on which one we were going to read. The winner was: The Sorta Sisters. I can't wait until the next book club meeting!

The Vote: Kate's three selections to consider were:

• The Sorta Sisters by Adrian Fogelin
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

The winner was The Sorta Sisters by Adrian Fogelin.

A very exciting note--Ms. Fogelin is a Tallahassee author who has written seven other books for young adults. At a children’s writer workshop at the Main Library, Brenda & Kate introduced themselves to her. Ms. Fogelin has agreed to attend our book club meeting on May 14th!!!! Ms. Fogelin has also started a front porch library in her Tallahassee neighborhood. Moms & Daughters should bring gentle used books to donate to her library. You can read about it on her website. http://www.adrianfogelin.com/

Who Presents Next: Katie & Brenda (our new members) and Smith & Elizabeth

Changes/Updates: Thanks to Perri & TJ, we have a new mom & daughter pair--Katie & Brenda...Not to be confused with Kate & Brenda...huh?? : ) Please be sure to add them to your email list.

Susan & Olivia passed on their time to invite. A new member. Just couldn’t find the right match this time. They pass to Emma & Diana.

Up Next: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle @ Megan & Dawn’s home on April 16th.

The School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari

The Location:  Cassie & Susan's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book:  Cute is the best word I can think of to describe this book. Full of pop language, and definitely geared toward the middle school/late elementary school crowd,School of Fear is an easy read for the adults, but still interesting. It includes factual tidbits about different phobias, a plot that keeps the reader interested, and some really awesome character development. It also gives some good life advice, albeit in a funny and unconventional storyline.  Makes me want to be a children's book editor when I grow up! (Thanks, Creamer Chronicle Literary Corner)

The Fun:  The children participated in a treasure hunt where the items relating to fear were hidden around Susan & Cassie's estate.  The kids and moms then participated in a phobia-related School of Fear crossword puzzle.  

Changes/Updates: Looking to add a new member.  Susan & Olivia will explore options.

Up Next: Notes from a Liar & Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko at Odessa & AiYing's house.