Holiday Cookie Exchange

Hungry for Cookies!

The Locale: Smith & Elizabeth's

The Fun: 
For the 3rd time, Smith & Elizabeth graciously hosted a Cookie Exchange for our girls. 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 on all the goodies provided by our hosts, the Girls hung out--outside by the fire.  Roasting Marshmallows.  Giggling.  Having fun. 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 The Rise of the Guardians.  

The cookie exchange is such fun!! Thanks again, Smith & Elizabeth! 


Up Next: 

• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli @ Olivia & Susan's house on January 26th.
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen @ Perri & TJ's on February 16th

Next to Present: Emma


Updates: Welcome to our new members, invited by Kate & Brenda. Emily & Kristine Kissell. I believe they will be joining us at our January meeting for Stargirl.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

 
The Locale: Ashley & Jian's

Book’s Website
 
Author’s Website
 
The Book: 
From the author of Ella Enchanted, Fairest is the reworking of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by the Borthers Grimm (one of my favorite fairy tales). In the story, Aza is a large orphan girl taken in by innkeepers in the Kingdom of Ayortha, neighbor kingdom to Frell. Aza embarks on a journey that brings her to the castle where she meets the new queen and Prince Ijori. A story of love, self awareness and choosing between right and wrong, Fairest is full of references to the original story. Megan really enjoyed the book, and it is perfect for the tween crowd, especially if they love fantasy/fairy tales. I think the moms in the book club thought it a little too silly. What we do for our daughters! (Thanks, Creamer Literary Blog!)

The Fun: 
Our first visit to Ashley & Jian's. Yummy food and discussion questions are part of the fun. For the discussion questions, moms pair up with daughters...but not their own! All moms agree that it was fun getting to work with another girl. A nice change of pace.

Kate is so strong!

The Whole Gang!

Ashley & Susan

Emma & Dawn

Ai Ying & Perri

Odessa & Jian

Susan & Megan

Elizabeth & Kate

Cassie & Brenda

Olivia & Diana

Smith & TJ

The Vote: 
Perri presented the following books:

• The Maze Runner by James Dasher
• Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - THE WINNER!

Up Next: 
Smith & Elizabeth's Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange on December 16th @ 3:30. Then...

• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli @ Olivia & Susan's house on January 26th.
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen @ Perri & TJ's on February 16th

Next to Present: Emma

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The Locale: Smith & Elizabeth's

Book’s Website

Author’s Website

The Book: 
It is 1943, and to Annemarie Johansen, life in Copenhagen is a complicated mix of ordinary home and school life, food shortages, and the constant presence of Nazi soldiers. Bravery seems a vague virtue, one possessed by dragon-slaying knights in the bedtime stories she tells her younger sister, Kirsti. Too soon, she herself is called upon for courage.

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, the Johansens take in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and pretend she is part of the family. Ellen and Annemarie must think quickly when three Nazi officers arrive late one night and question why Ellen is not blond, like her sisters.


Through Annemarie's eyes, we see the Danish Resistance as they manage to smuggle almost the entire Jewish population, nearly 7000 people, across the sea to Sweden. In this tale of an entire nation's heroism, Lois Lowry reminds us that there is pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war. (Taken from the Author's Website)

The Fun: Yummy Food! Including Noodle Apple Kugel (a Jewish Dish) and Dream Cupcakes...cupcakes with pink icing that Kirsti craves.


Like Annemarie and Ellen, the girls had to dress alike and convince us that there were sisters. Perri & Cassie win. Kate & Odessa in 2nd.


The girls then hold a lengthy discussion of the book includes bullying, WWII, persecution of different races, religions, and gender. 

The Vote:

• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 
• The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson 
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 

Well for the first time, we had a 3 way tie, and the moms had to vote to break the tie. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Wins!

Up Next: 

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine @ Ashley & Jian's home on December 1st

Next to Present: Perri will present next at our next book club meeting.

Updates:

• Smith & Elizabeth will host another holiday cookie exchange on December 15th.
• Olivia & Susan will host Stargirl tentatively on January 12th. Susan may have a work conflict which may wither cause her to either change meeting times or to another date. Stay tuned.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

The Locale: Kate & Brenda's

Book’s Website:  None Available

Author’s Website:  None Available

The Book:  When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run from somewhere she wants to run to somewhere--to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and preferably elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing that her younger brother, Jamie, has money and thus can help her with the serious cash flow problem she invites him along. Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie, find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at an auction for a bargain price of $250. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn't it? Claudia is determined to find out. This quest leads Claudia to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself. (From Google Books)

The Fun:  Yummy! Nouilles et fromage en casserole (Mac n cheese) purchased at the Met Cafe.  The girls take a quiz and discuss the book. 

The Vote:  Our newest member, Ashley, presented the following books:

• Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (4 votes)
• Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (5 votes)
• Artemis Fowl: the opal deception by Eoin Colfer (0 votes)
  

Up Next:  The next meeting, on October 13th, will be at Smith & Elizabeth's home to discuss Number the Starts by Lois Lowry. 
Next to Present: Olivia

Updates: Katie & Brenda B. left the group.  Felt it was no longer a good fit for them.  Next up to invite new members in Megan & Dawn.

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

The Locale: Megan and Dawn's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book: Due to the tell-all title and author's warning, this book was obviously not meant to be read.  Yet, our mother-daughter book club courageously endeavored to read this dangerous book that includes two characters named Cass and Max-Ernest.  Naturally, these are not their real names, in case the reader was to ever look to find them.  The novel covers many important and serious topics, such as synesthesia, eternal life, and paunchy, rude real-estate agents.  A somewhat depressing yet quick and interesting read that has certain similarities to The Bad Beginning (August 2010), this book was great (although quite hazardous).

The Fun: The girls and moms had a broad discussion of various topics, such as the benefits of being a good liar, banned books, and the dangers of books.

The Vote: Smith's choices were:

• Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynn Jonell
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

During the voting, there was a tie between Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat and Number the Stars.  Much to Emmy-lovers' dismay, it was decided that, by tradition, the mothers would vote.  Therefore, just as the girls had predicted, Number the Stars won an almost unanimous Mom's vote (Susan S. voted for Emmy). 

Up Next: This was the last meeting before the book club broke for summer.  The next meeting, on August 25th September 8th, will be at Kate P. and Brenda P.'s to discuss From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

Next to Present: Katie B.   Ashley

Update:  As requested, I spoke with Brenda & Katie B.  Mom said they no longer felt Mother Daughter was a good fit for them and are dropping out.  I was certainly sad to hear it, as I did enjoy getting to know them, but I appreciated her honesty and understand that circumstances change.   Because of this change, it would be our newest members, Ashley & Jian, to present books at our next meeting.  And...it would be Dawn & Megan's turn to invite a new mom/daughter team.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

The Locale: Odessa and Ai Ying's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book: Megan is one of the most popular girls in her school.  Cassidy is a jock.  And Jess and Emma only have each other.  But even though tense relations exist between them, their mothers form a mother-daughter book club after yoga, scheduled to meet once a month.  When the book Little Women is chosen, the girls can't help but compare what's going on in their lives to what's going on in Jo's life.


The Fun: Fun facts on Heather Vogel Frederick were passed out.  The girls then discussed the novel.

The Vote: The Winner was:  From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg.

Who Presents Next:  Smith, then Katie, then Ashley...and then we're at the top of the list again with Olivia.

Up Next:  The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch @ Megan & Dawn's on May 19th.

Updates:  We will not be meeting over the summer.  Our last meeting for this school year will be in May.  We'll look to meet again in the fall @ Kate & Brenda Powell's.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

The Locale: Cassie and Susan's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book:  Carmen, Lena, Bridget and Tibby are very close friends who spend all their time with each other.  But this summer, Carmen's visiting her father in South Carolina, Lena's visiting her grandparents in Greece, Bridget's going to a summer camp on Baja California, and Tibby's working at the Wallman's back home.  So when they find a pair of pants that magically fits all four girls right before they depart, it must be fate...right?  Will the faded denim of the Pants be strong enough to keep the Sisterhood together?

The Fun: First, Susan S. explained the new blog features to the members of the book club.  Then, the girls discussed their thoughts about the book.  Later, the girls performed a relay,  They kicked a soccer ball up a hill to represent Bridget, played tennis with Cassie to represent Carmen, and buried a Mimi to represent Tibby.  Afterwards, the movie adaptation of the novel was shown.

The Vote: It was Megan's turn to bring up books.  Although she and Dawn were unable to make it to the meeting, they emailed in Megan's choices.  The choices were:

• The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley
• The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
• Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

The winner was The Name of this Book is Secret.

Who Presents Next: Kate and Brenda

Up Next: The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick at Odessa and AiYing's on April 28th

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

The Locale: Emma & Diana's

The Book's Website

The Author's Website

The Book: Martine is an eleven-year old girl living in England.  When her parents are killed in a house fire, she is forced to live with her grandmother, Gwyn Thomas, who lives on a game reserve in South Africa.  During her first few weeks there, she hears stories of the white giraffe, a legendary animal.  Martine doesn't believe the myths...until, one day, while sneaking through the forest, she comes face to face with the ivory-colored creature itself!  But while Martine learns to ride the giraffe, whom she names Jemmy, poachers wreak havoc on the reserve.  When Martine was not in the forest, they took Jemmy!  Will Martine ever see her beloved giraffe again?

The Fun: The girls got into pairs and completed a crossword about the animals on the reserve.  Afterwards, the girls got creative and drew their havens.  This related to the book because in the novel, Jemmy took Martine to a beautiful place that was his haven.  Many ideas shared were similar to this, like Odessa's and Kate's, which both took place in the woods, while others were extremely different, like Smith's shopping haven, or Emma's giant chocolate cupcake.  Then, girls and moms voted on blog names.  The top two were "Tally Town Bookworms" and "Somepocack".  Obviously, "Tally Town Bookworms" was indeed the winner.

The Vote: It was Odessa's turn to bring up books.  The choices were:

•  Bloomability by Sharon Creech 
• The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick, which was brought up for the fourth time, having been brought up twice by Cassie and once by Olivia
• Where I'd Like to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell. 

 The Mother-Daughter Book Club won almost unanimously.

Who Presents Next: Megan and Dawn

Up Next: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares at Cassie and Susan's house on March 31st.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Locale: Perri & TJ’s

Elijah of Buxton Book Talk Trailer @ Scholastic

Book Review @ Scholastic

Elijah of Buxton Book Trailer @ Scholastic

Elijah of Buxton Book Talk Trailer @ Scholastic

The Book:
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and a Newbery Honor Book for 2008, the wonderful book is about eleven-year-old Elijah, the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. He's best known for having made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass, but that changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah’s friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey to America in pursuit of the thief and discovers firsthand the unimaginable horrors of the life his parents fled--a life from which he’ll always be free, if he can find the courage to get back home.

The Fun: We welcomed our new members, Ashley and Jian. Munched and visited. Discussion got started by the girls doing a word scramble. Girls then picked a mom to do an question/answer worksheet. As a large group, we discussed and answered the questions. We also watched a video that TJ got on Buxton, Canada.

The Vote: Cassie’s three selections to consider were:

• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
• Flush by Carl Hiaasen
• Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

The winner was Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares.  

Who Presents Next: Odessa & AiYing

Changes/Updates: Welcome new members Ashley & Jian!

Up Next: The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John @ Emma & Diana’s home on February 18th.