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