Friday, June 5, 2015

Book Club


{Like most of my posts that discuss books, this one contains affiliate links.}


One of the highlights of Maddie's school year was the book club she joined mid-year.  Not only did it help satisfy her strong need to be with people but was it good practice for her to read on a deadline and be prepared to discuss it and answer questions.

The theme of this year was decades.  Every month, the girls were free to choose their own books as long as they fit in with the month's assigned decade. 

Maddie is a devoted animal loved and so she gravitated toward animal books, almost by accident: 


1910s The Night Flyersby Elizabeth McDavid Jones
1920s The Boxcar Childrenby Gertrude Chandler Warner
1930s Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mysteryby Kathleen Ernst
1940s Cat Storiesby James Herriot




The final meeting was last week and the girls (and moms) had a big 1950s diner-themed end-of-year celebration. We ate burgers and fries, fresh fruit, and salad with all-American ranch dressing.  The girls had a bubble gum blowing contest and a hula hoop contest, and then we had make-your-own ice cream sundaes as we transitioned into the book discussion. 



Maddie's choice for this month was Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, the original book which inspired the Disney movie.




Have you ever been part of a book club?
I've always thought I might like to join a book club myself, but I'm much more introverted than Maddie!  For now, I'm content with the Sisters Book Challenge.

Do your kids participate in any fun school-related activities?

Do your kids like animal books?Here is a list of chapter books about animals we've loved through the years.