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Family Book Club: March Edition
Spring break is just around the corner! For many of us, that means a week-long break with the kids. Whether sitting poolside, enjoying a stay-cation, or taking an extended road trip, there is bound to be time for a little bit (or a lot!) of family bonding. No better way to do that than with books! If you joined us for the January Edition or February Edition of Family Book Club, this month’s edition will offer up some more enjoyable options for the whole family. Geared towards middle grade readers, every book pick is interesting enough to warrant a read by parents and some read-aloud time for younger siblings. This month, it’s all about magic, compelling women in history, an added element to an old fairy tale, and one mighty mouse. Round up the entire family for an old-fashioned book club discussion, with food suggestions and questions included.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World, by Rachel Ignotofsky
Fearless and pioneering females have always been, and will continue to be, a vital part of our culture. Though this book is educational, and well-researched, it is also charming and entertaining, with beautiful illustrations and compelling information. Everyone will learn something from this encyclopedia-style tome! From Jane Goodall, to Marie Curie, to Katherine Johnson, a huge spectrum of women scientists and their contributions to society are covered in areas including math, engineering, biology, space, and so much more. This book is an excellent pick for any budding STEM lovers in your family.
As you gather to discuss the women covered in this book, consider making Jell-O in (clean!) petri dishes. Serve alongside some fizzy flavored water and you’ll have your kids loving this sweet sciencey treat. If it’s warm outside, you can even try making solar s’mores—no fire required! Your kids will just thank you for not serving up frog legs, a la Esther Lederberg.
Questions for discussion:
• Which scientist do you remember the most from this book? Why?
• Do you think it was hard to be a female scientist in the past?
• When you look around our community, what contributions from these scientists do you still see today?
• How do you incorporate science into your everyday life?
Ships in 1-2 days.
Word of Mouse, by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, and Joe Sutphin
Young animal-lovers especially will treasure this book. Isaiah is a little blue mouse who has escaped his laboratory home, and he finds the outside world a bit intimidating. Even though he can read, write, and communicate—even with humans—it takes an extra special set of skills (and some luck!) for him to find his way to a special little girl named Hailey. Courage, self-belief, and a celebration of the individual spirit are at the heart of this sweet book.
When you meet to discuss the story, consider some mouse-preferred treats in honor of Isaiah. Make strawberries and hard boiled eggs into the shape of mice with some almonds for ears and thin carrot strips for tails. Serve with cheese and crackers, of course.
Questions for discussion:
• Why do you think Isaiah and his siblings want to escape their laboratory?
• What make Isaiah so unique?
• What do you think the world would look like if you were as small as a mouse?
• Why do you think Hailey and Isaiah become friends? Would you consider any animals your friend?
Ships in 1-2 days.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill
A New York Times bestseller, Newbery Medal winner, and on too many best book lists to count, this is a must-read for the entire family. The town of Protectorate leaves a baby as a sacrifice at the edge of the woods once a year; an offering to the witch who lives there in hopes their town will not be terrorized. What they don’t know is that the witch, Xan, is very kind. She rescues the baby and delivers the child to the other side of the forest, where a family will welcome the child with open arms. To nourish the child on the journey, Xan feeds the baby starlight. On one journey, she accidentally feeds the baby moonlight, filling the little girl with unanticipated magic. Xan names the child Luna and raises her as her own. When Luna becomes a teenager, her magic appears with unexpected consequences. Everyone in the family will appreciate this coming of age tale.
Serve up some lunar-themed food at this book club meeting. Make individual pizzas in the shape of crescent moons and finish off with a sweet Moon Pie from the grocery store.
Questions for discussion:
• Why might the witch be perceived as wicked by the townspeople? How did that happen?
• In the italicized chapters, who is the speaker in the story and who is the child listening? What clues helped you to determine the identities?
• What happens to Xan and Luna’s relationship when they start keeping secrets from one another?
• Why do you think the author used so many birds in the novel? How were the birds similar? How were they different?
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, by Jennifer Donnelly and the Disney Storybook Art Team
Last month we read a book about two kids falling into a fairy tale land, and this month we are going to read a book about a fairy tale character falling into a book! Belle, held captive in Beast’s castle, finds a book called Nevermore that enchants her right from the start. With glamour, intrigue, luxury in Paris, and conversational companions at the turn of every page, Belle must uncover the truth about this mysterious book. The temptation to be lost in its pages forever is all too strong for Belle, and she must fight it and find her way out. This is a great story within a story that will enchant the whole family.
Offer up a french inspired menu, including Croque Monsieur (open-faced ham and cheese sandwiches) and soupe (soup) for a lunch or dinner time discussion. Further inspired by Belle’s time at the castle, top it all off with cupcakes covered in yellow frosting.
Questions for discussion:
• How does the book help Belle escape from her life in the castle?
• Why does Belle have to be careful about the people she meets in the story? Why is Nevermore not what it first seemed to be?
• Why does Belle decide to leaver Nevermore behind?
• Have you ever been lost in a story?
What books would you like to see in the April Edition of the Family Book Club series?