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Family Book Club: August Edition
The countdown to school is on and the hot summer days may feel just a bit longer than they did a couple of months ago. Crank up the air conditioning and get your kids to cool off with a book (or two). These five picks are great for the whole family—geared towards middle schoolers, yet equally appropriate for story time with little ones and just as appealing to parents. With each book pick, we’ve rounded up some ideas for your meeting, including snacks for those bottomless kid stomachs and questions for their equally inquisitive minds.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Molly’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Novel, by W. Bruce Cameron
Adapted from the bestselling books by the author of A Dog’s Purpose—also a major motion picture—this middle grade book focuses on one special dog by the name of Molly. Told from the point of view of Molly, a puppy who must live in hiding to protect a young girl, C.J. From the moment Molly meets C.J., she knows her job is to take care of this little girl. Readers will follow along with Molly from shortly after her birth and share in her sadness at leaving her mother and her joy in living with a human who loves her unconditionally. A perfect pick for animal lovers.
When gathering for this meeting, prepare some Puppy Chow (cereal trail mix) and serve it up in a clean dog bowl. Or get a dog bone shaped cookie cutter for sandwiches or treats that appeal to humans. If you have a pup, throw them a bone during your discussion.
Questions for discussion:
• How do you think the story would have been different if it was told from the perspective of C.J.?
• Why is hiding a dog (or any animal) a bad idea?
• Who do you think C.J. could have asked for help?
Ships in 1-2 days.
Locker Hero (The Misadventures of Max Crumbly Series #1), by Rachel Renée Russell
A new character in the vein of Dork Diaries has come to print, and his name is Max Crumbly. He is about to enter the scariest place ever—South Ridge Middle School—and there is a bully there who likes shoving Max into his locker. Every middle schooler’s worst nightmare! His new crush and friend, Erin, rescues him on one occasion, but he is stuck inside his locker for hours after school the second time it happens. He manages to escape, only to find criminals stealing computers from the school. Will Max save the day?
The only thing you need to serve up at this book club meeting is pizza, which Max has an uncanny ability to sniff out. Put a pie in the oven and watch your kids magically appear.
Questions for discussion:
• Why do you think it’s so hard for Max to go to the middle school?
• How does the bully, Doug, make the plot thicken in this story?
• What do you think happens after this story ends? (Hint: check out book two in the series!)
The Day the World Went Nuclear: Dropping the Atom Bomb and the End of World War II in the Pacific, by Bill O’Reilly
If your kids are history buffs, or if they currently watch the evening news with you, then this book is a great resource for discussing World War II history. As the war starts to wrap up in Europe, the American troops are still fighting heavily in the Pacific. During this time, a scientist is developing the deadliest weapon known to mankind and a new president is left with the decision of whether to use that weapon. With excellent attention to detail and visually rich content, this book is a great review of 20th century history in both the US and Japan.
For this meeting, keep the food in the 1940’s theme with spaghetti-filled peppers, shepherd’s pie, or meatloaf. Finish dinner with an eggless cake for a sweet treat.
Questions for discussion:
• Why was World War II fought in so many places throughout the world?
• What responsibility does a president have with weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons and atom bombs?
• If you were president, would you make the same decision Truman made?
Ships in 1-2 days.
Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina Series #1), by Robert Beatty
The opulent Biltmore Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to Serafina, although she must remain hidden in the basement where she lives with her father, a maintenance man for the property. Children start disappearing, and Serafina knows who is responsible: the man in the black cloak. She joins forces with one of the owner’s young nephews, and ventures beyond the property and into the entrancing woods to solve the mystery. What she discovers along the way speaks to magic, friendships, and making memories.
When you gather together for this meeting, re-create a lavish Biltmore-inspired feast of apple bacon cornbread muffins, spareribs, and sparkling blackberry punch. Insist on a dress code and serve the food on your finest linens and china. Just don’t wear a black cloak to the meeting!
Questions for discussion:
• What is the Biltmore Estate and why is it important to the setting of the story?
• When does this story take place? How does that impact the plot?
• What does Serafina learn about her origins?
Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Best summed up as a quirky, fun adventure, this book is a must-read for every middle schooler. Prez is a list maker, electively mute, and lives with his grandfather. Until the day comes when he must go live with the Blythes, a foster family living out on a farm. Then a dog names Sputnik shows up, except Prez doesn’t see a dog, he sees an alien boy wearing goggles and a kilt. Sputnik is looking for ten reasons why Earth should be spared and enlists Prez as his sidekick. The out of this world escapades that follow only reinforces what it means to find home and understand where one belongs in this vast universe.
Put together some rocket-themed items to eat during your book club meeting. Rocket shaped fruit kabobs, hot dog kabobs wrapped in dough and baked then topped with a triangle of cheese, and star shaped cookies. One thing is for sure—you’ll spend more time laughing than eating at this meeting.
Questions for discussion:
• Why do you think Prez can see Sputnik’s identity while everyone else sees a dog?
• What ten reasons would you list for why Earth should be spared?
• What moments of science in the book made you think twice?