RULES by Cynthia Lord and INTERRUPTING CHICKEN by David Ezra Stein

Novel: Rules by Cynthia Lord

We had great discussions at our last meeting on Thursday night. We all agreed that Rules was a tightly written (not a wasted word) book that described in a realistic way a 12-year-old girl learning to deal with a little brother with Autism and a new friend in a wheelchair with a disability that rendered him unable to walk or talk. Some thought that Catherine and Jason had romantic feelings about each other; others didn't, but all agreed that it was a very good book worthy of the Newbery Honor that it received. We talked about the two endings -- one predictable, and the final one emotionally important for Catherine, who became empowered as the story evolved.

Picture Book: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

As for the picture book, Interrupting Chicken, which garnered a Caldecott Honor, ummmmm -- we all said, "Why??" Unless it was for the fact that it was very unique -- i.e. chickens who didn't actually look like chickens, and other weird stuff. We liked the story, but couldn't really get 'into' the illustrations.....oh, well -- some books and some award winners are like that!

THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS by Katherine Paterson and BIG RED LOLLIPOP by Rukhsana Khan

We had a great meeting on March 31, enhanced by a delicious spread of delectable food! We pretty much all agreed that The Great Gilly Hopkins definitely stood up over time, having been published in 1978, and we further agreed that Katherine Paterson is a genius and a brilliant storyteller and character creator. We had various opinions on the picture book, Big Red Lollipop. We pretty much all loved the illustrations, and had varying opinions on the story. Some thought it was terrific, others - not so much. 

We also had a 'commercial' for the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries, complete with the modeling of gorgeous T-shirts designed by our own Caroline Arnold. To support this campaign, feel free to check out www.cafepress.com/csla where you can order neat items (t-shirts, note cards, mugs, posters, stickers, etc.) with designs by many well-known illustrators of children's books (Brian Selznick, Caroline Arnold, Aliki, Joe Cepeda, Marla Frazee, et al) to support the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries. These illustrators have created and donated their designs for this campaign. The message: "Strong school libraries build strong students and lifelong learners."

THE DREAMER by Pam Munoz Ryan and CHOWDER by Peter Brown

We had a small, intimate group at our last meeting, and terrific discussions on both books. Many of us loved The Dreamer for a variety of reasons, although a couple of people thought it wasn't so wonderful in certain places, and had questions about its construction. It led to a discussion of Pablo Neruda and his poetry, and a few people were enthused enough to begin reading what he has written......(one of the great joys of reading: how it leads you to exploring new areas.) 

As for the picture book, Chowder, we were all in agreement: huh?? We mostly loved the illustrations, but thought the story left a great deal to be desired -- i.e., it wasn't so great!

ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia and BOSS BABY by Marla Frazee

We enjoyed our meeting last nite at Amy's colorful and art/book-filled house, and after seeing her bomb shelter from the 50s (which was there when she bought the house) we had lively discussions on both books. 
All agreed that One Crazy Summer was a story that had to be told, although there were differing opinions regarding specific scenes in the book and specific characters. All agreed that it was well-written. 
We all agreed that Boss Baby was more for new parents than for young children, but we thought it was quite funny and 'right on the money' as far as new babies are concerned.

WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead

We had (as usual) a great discussion at our December meeting about When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.....Many loved it, some - not so much. But as we talked more, it seemed that everyone found something about it that they liked.....although several of us just couldn't get into the 'time travel' aspect. Folks shared favorite holiday books (various holidays!!) and we enjoyed Ann's terrific holiday lasagna and a lot of other great 'nibblies'.

COUNTDOWN by Debbie Wiles and I LIKE BUGS by Emma Dodd and I LIKE BUGS by Philemon Sturges

We had great discussions at our last meeting.....everyone talking about what they were doing in 1962, when Countdown took place...some were in high school, some in college, and one (me!!) already working as a teacher -- oh, well. We all liked the book - for various reasons, depending upon how we approached it - which is what makes our group so much fun......On the two I Like Bugs picture books, we liked different parts of each, and figured that melded together they would make one great book.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney, and WUMP WORLD by Bill Peet

We had a great discussion at our "Wimpy/Wumpy" meeting last Thursday. We were 50-50 on the picture book...half liked it, the other half - not so much. But when we started talking about the fact that it was published in 1970, many of the 'non-likers' changed their opinion a bit, since it was unique for its time and, in fact, portended things to come....probably very 'dystopian' before that word was even part of our vocabulary.

As for the novel, there were also mixed feelings (which is what makes our group so much fun!). Some thought it was terrific for getting kids - especially young middle school boys - into reading 'real' books. Others thought it was basically worthless, and that kids should be reading more 'excellent' literature, with characters you care about, significant stories, etc. Our discussion ultimately led into the books we all loved as kids, and their merits (or demerits -- as the case may be!) It was a great group meeting, as usual.