Family Book Club: August Edition

The dog days of summer are coming to an end and schools everywhere are going to start opening their doors soon (hooray!). If your child hasn’t picked a book up in a week, or even in a month, now is the perfect time to dust off those reading skills and put them back into use. Your child’s teacher (and the impending nightly homework routine) will thank you. Here are three of our favorite family reading picks for August.

About the Author: Much like Imogene, author Jamieson changed schools when she moved to Florida at the age of twelve. And she was also a proud renaissance faire groupie in her youth. She wrote her first book in elementary school and published her first graphic novel in 2015. Her path to becoming an author included some crazy jobs—portrait artist on a cruise ship and illegal tour operator at the Vatican—across several different countries (Italy, Canada, and Australia). In her spare time, she skates with a roller derby league and hangs out with her husband, son, and a cat named Sharon.

For the Meeting: Renaissance food is a must for this meeting. Turkey legs, crepes, fried cheese, soft pretzels, and pies are sure to please most. Squire costumes and floral hairpieces are equally appropriate for this meeting.

Questions for Discussion:

• How did days at the Renaissance Faire differ from days at school for Imogene?
• Why do you think Imogene made so many mistakes? How did she learn from those mistakes?
• Did Imogene’s fair family help her? In what ways?
• Do we all have a dragon or ogre inside of us?

About the Author: Having lived all over the world and with countless classroom hours under his belt, author Jake Burt is an accomplished student and teacher, in addition to an author. As a fifth-grade teacher, he knows his audience. This is his debut middle grade novel, which he wrote in 2014 and saw published in 2017. Yes, publishing takes a long time! His second novel, The Right Hook of Devin Velma, is available this fall and features a middle-schooler looking to pull a viral stunt at an NBA game.

For the Meeting: First, change your names. Obviously. Second, attempt to not disclose the identity of each other. Finally, head out to dinner and see how long this charade—and book conversation—can last.

Questions for Discussion:

• What do you think it would be like to live under U.S. Marshal protection? What would you have to give up? How would life be different?
• How are Nicki and Charlotte similar? How are they different?
• What is kleptomania? Why do you think Nicki did what she did?
• Do you think Nicki preferred bouncing around foster care homes or living with the Trevors?

About the Author: Author Guerrero penned much of her personal history in this biography, but there are a few more interesting facts about her. This middle grade book is derived from her first book, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided, a memoir about her parents being detained and deported when she was fourteen. A drama based on her memoir is slated to potentially come to television. When not working on hit shows such as Orange is the New Black, or Jane the Virgin, she spends her time volunteering with organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

For the Meeting: Gather your family for a feast. Celebrate Guerrero’s family roots with a traditional dish, such as bandeja paisa (rice, beans, beef, chorizo, plantain, avocado, egg, and more). For the more sensitive (or picky) eaters, head straight to dessert with flan, rice pudding, or black cake. Finally, pull out a world map so you can discuss immigration and borders with your kids.

Questions for Discussion:

• Why were Diane’s parents taken from their home? How did that make you feel?
• Have you heard about immigration? How does it work?
• Trace your family history. Where did your ancestors immigrate from?
• How does the author use her experience to help others?

What books are you excited for your kids to read once school is back in session?