On Tuesday, October 27, the Young Adult Book Club (for adult readers) met to discuss Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The majority of the group felt this book reminded them of their own young adolescent experiences. Here’s what we covered in the discussion:
Should Margaret have had more interaction with her parents as she tried to reconcile her views on religion and spirituality?
The different relationship between Margaret and her various grandparents. Was Sylvia Simon overbearing, or were she and Margaret forging their own relationship outside of parental approval?
Various changes to the text from the first publication in 1970. We all agreed that we prefer books that haven’t been “updated” to keep with the times.
How Margaret has the sudden realization that she is cruel to other students, and how that character-defining moment was echoed in another one of our club picks, When You Reach Me.
With friends like Nancy, who needs enemies?
We were as usual a divided group. Many felt that there was at least some part of the story that they could relate to, but a few felt they couldn’t enter Margaret’s world at all.
Please, share your thoughts on Margaret in the comments section!
Our next pick is Going Bovine by Libba Bray. Cameron drifts through high school in his perfectly average way until he finds out he’s dying of the human version of mad cow disease. This mystical, comic novel follows Cameron and his motley crew on a quest for the cure. Bray writes with both humor and tenderness to produce a unique story that will stay with you. We’ve moved up the book club meeting from the last Tuesday of the month to Tuesday November 17, 6:30 p.m.-7:30p.m, in case you’re traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. Questions? Need to reserve your copy? E-mail or give us a call at 703-548-4092.
Cristi’s Book Pick: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds for ages 3-6
The Dot, by famed illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, is a must-read for any child who thinks they are unable to do something. The book opens with a little girl named Vashti sitting at her desk with a blank sheet of paper on which she believes she cannot draw. When her teacher sees this, she tells her to make a mark to see what happens. Vashti, in frustration, angrily makes a dot in the center of the page. The teacher looks at it and asks her to sign the paper. The next day in class, Vashti walks in and sees her picture framed and hanging over her teacher’s desk. Irritated, Vashti looks at the picture and decides she can make a better dot than that one, starting her on a journey of drawing throughout the rest of the book. Due to her teacher’s clever encouragement, Vashti realizes she can draw.
Other books by Peter H. Reynolds – Ish and The North Star.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds; Candlewick Press; $14.00; Copyright 2003.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt (ages 3-6)
Based on the old Appalachian poem “Over in the Meadow,” Dickinson transforms the rhyme with a Halloween flavor. Vampires replace muskrats as they bite, witches replace crows as they zoom, and werewolves replace lizards as they howl. Because it’s a Halloween book the fun doesn’t stop at ten, but goes up to thirteen with skeletons, cats and ghosts getting into the act. Readers can easily say or act out the actions of each of the characters (well, maybe not the biting vampires). Filled with rich, lush illustrations that have the feel of picture books from decades ago, this is the perfect book to haunt your shelf this Halloween.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt; 2009;$15.99; Chronicle Books
This touching story about an elephant named Tarra and a dog named Bella is especially fun to read because it’s a true story! No one would guess that a retired show business elephant and an adorable stray dog would form a friendship, but these two became inseparable. Carol Buckley’s photography shows Tarra and Bella swimming together in a pond and strolling around the elephant sanctuary. When Bella gets sick, Tarra, loyal and concerned, stands waiting outside for her friend to get better. This is a great book about an unlikely friendship. A must-read for animal lovers! Check out the video below!
Tarra and Bella, text and photography by Carol Buckley; G.P. Putnam’s Sons; 16.99; 2009
Today at Hooray for Books! we had a great author event with six different authors. From 1-2 p.m., we had Sue Corbett (The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia, The Last Newspaper Boy in America), Cynthia Cotten (Rain Play, Fair Has Nothing to do With It), and Jacqueline Jules (Unite or Die, Duck for Turkey Day) talk about and read from their books; there was even singing from the authors. Next, YA authors, Paula Chase (Flipping the Script), Elizabeth Scott (Bloom, Something, Maybe), and Caroline Hickey (Isabelle’s Boyfriend, Cassie Was Here) talked about their novels and answered questions from readers; one reader even asked if it was a myth or true that authors write in their pajamas all day. We all had lots of fun hearing from the authors, getting books signed, and eating delicious brownies and pumpkin bread made by Trish.
If you missed this event, don’t worry! The authors signed extra copies which will be on our “autographed” bookshelf.
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (ages 3-6)
Tip-toe through the puddles, make a boat that floats, then run, romp, splash and stomp. In colorful collage illustrations, Rain Play brings to life all the fun that young ones can have when the drizzle starts. But beware, when the sky starts to flash and thunder boom starts to boom it’s time to get snug inside where you are warm and dry. A perfect book to read to your little one when the day is dreary.
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe; Henry Holt & Co.; $16.95; 2008
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka and David Shannon (ages 3-6)
Robot Zot is always ready for battle. He is very brave, and his favorite words are “wham!” and “crush!” His journey to rescue and destroy is captured in illustrations full of movement. The art also exhibits a playful attitude towards perspective and size. The words almost fly off the page. All this combines into a subtly humorous, attention-grabbing read. If you and your little ones like robots and adventure, you will enjoy this book.
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka and David Shannon, $17.99, Simon & Schuster
On Saturday, October 10, we were lucky enough to host a reading/signing by Matthew Baek. He brought his lovely wife and two sweet little girls along as he entertained our storytime crowd with a reading of Panda & Polar Bear. He then did some drawings as we watched, and talked about the process he went through to come up with his final panda and polar bear cubs.
Matthew came to the U.S. from Korea at age 9, one of only a few Asian kids in his Gaithersburg, Maryland elementary school. His 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Armstrong, at first let him express himself solely through his drawing, but gradually encouraged him first to add a few words to each drawing, and finally to write and illustrate a book. She had each child in the class work with Matthew, and by the time the book was finished, he was friendly with every child in the class. Mrs. Armstrong put his book in the school library, available to be checked out by anyone in the school, and told Matthew that it was “the first of many.” He’s never forgotten her or her perceptive way of helping him find his way.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear!by Matthew J. Baek (ages 3-6)
Elisa loves the family dog, Tag. She loves to squeeeeeeze him tight, pull his tail and tackle him. While Tag knows this is just Elisa’s way of showing her love, Tag is miserable (arrroooooo). Can Elisa learn to be gentle with Tag?
A great book for teaching the gentle touch to toddlers or any young one who plays a little too rough. The story is short and the message simple: Be gentle when you play.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear!by Matthew J. Baek; Dial Books, 2008; $14.99
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (adult book)
Adult readers, take heart. It’s not always books for children here at Hooray For Books! My pick of the day today is the newest novel by Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler’s Wife. The two books aren’t related, except in that they are both a meditation on enduring love. Her Fearful Symmetryis a modern gothic tale filled with eccentric characters — two sets of dress-alike twin sisters and an agoraphobic crossword-puzzle-maker, for starters — and set next to a cemetery. The story unfolds as Julia and Valentina move into their deceased Aunt Elspeth’s flat (their mother is Elspeth’s twin Edie). The move from Chicago to London begins to drive a wedge between the twins, which only deepens as they communicate with the dead, take on inappropriate suitors, and plan their futures . The story is slow-going as the plot unfurls, but the pace picks up considerably towards the end. The dominant feeling of the novel is a restrained sense of foreboding, even throughout daily life, but Niffenegger also includes wonderful moments of humor, horror, poignancy, and hope. I enjoyed this book, and found the novel very well-constructed. It’s a delightfully creepy read and perfect for Halloween!
Saturday, November 7, 11:30 a.m.
Author Laura Melmed
Meet the author of one of the best (and local) A to Z books, Capital!: Washington D.C. From A to Z. Plus, get a look at her two new books Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC and My Love Will Be With You.
Saturday, November 7, 2-4 p.m.
Author Ruth Baja Williams
Ruth and her husband lived in Berlin for 20 years. They mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a program on Ruth's memoir, "Detour Berlin." For ages 14 and up.
Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m.
Author Sara Lewis Holmes
In honor of Veterans Day, Sara Lewis Holmes brings us Operation Yes, the story of Bo, son of an Air Force officer, and his sixth grade year..
Saturday, November 14, 11:30 a.m.
Author-Illustrator Julia Sarcone-Roach
Join us as we welcome Arlington's Julia Sarcone-Roach as she introduces her new picture book, "The Secret Plan." Milo and Henry hatch a plan to stave off bedtime, but things don't go exactly the way they'd planned.
Saturday, November 21, 11:30 a.m.
A Buffet of Books
You can never get too full on books! Join us as we read some of our favorite "comfort" books.
Saturday, November 28, 11:30 a.m.
Author Kimberly Thompson
Toulouse on the Loose chronicles the adventures of a French turkey that comes to Washington, D.C., during the Thanksgiving holiday, only to discover that turkeys are the meal of choice. Join us as author/actress Kimberly Thompson reads her story dressed in Parisian garb. She'll also have samples of French food for the children to taste!
Our next pick is Going Bovine by Libba Bray. Cameron drifts through high school in his perfectly average way until he finds out he’s dying of the human version of mad cow disease. This mystical, comic novel follows Cameron and his motley crew on a quest for the cure. Bray writes with both humor and tenderness to produce a unique story that will stay with you. We’ve moved up the book club meeting from the last Tuesday of the month to Tuesday November 17, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m, in case you’re traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. Questions? Need to reserve your copy? E-mail or give us a call at 703-548-4092.
The Dot, by famed illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, is a must-read for any child who thinks they are unable to do something. The book opens with a little girl named Vashti sitting at her desk with a blank sheet of paper on which she believes she cannot draw. When her teacher sees this, she tells her to make a mark to see what happens. Vashti, in frustration, angrily makes a dot in the center of the page. The teacher looks at it and asks her to sign the paper. The next day in class, Vashti walks in and sees her picture framed and hanging over her teacher’s desk. Irritated, Vashti looks at the picture and decides she can make a better dot than that one, starting her on a journey of drawing throughout the rest of the book. Due to her teacher’s clever encouragement, Vashti realizes she can draw.
Over in the Hollow, by Rebecca Dickinson; illustrated by S. Britt (ages 3-6)
This touching story about an elephant named Tarra and a dog named Bella is especially fun to read because it’s a true story! No one would guess that a retired show business elephant and an adorable stray dog would form a friendship, but these two became inseparable. Carol Buckley’s photography shows Tarra and Bella swimming together in a pond and strolling around the elephant sanctuary. When Bella gets sick, Tarra, loyal and concerned, stands waiting outside for her friend to get better. This is a great book about an unlikely friendship. A must-read for animal lovers! Check out the video below!
Rain Play,by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe (ages 3-6)
On Saturday, October 10, we were lucky enough to host a reading/signing by Matthew Baek. He brought his lovely wife and two sweet little girls along as he entertained our storytime crowd with a reading of Panda & Polar Bear. He then did some drawings as we watched, and talked about the process he went through to come up with his final panda and polar bear cubs.
Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear! by Matthew J. Baek (ages 3-6)
