Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World

by Katherine Hannigan
Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held April 13, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

Ida B. Applewood believes there is never enough time for fun.

That’s why she’s so happy to be homeschooled and to spend every free second outside with the trees and the brook.

Then some not-so-great things happen in her world. Ida B has to go back to that Place of Slow but Sure Body-Cramping, Mind-Numbing, Fun-Killing Torture—school. She feels her heart getting smaller and smaller and hardening into a sharp, black stone.

How can things go from righter than right to a million miles beyond wrong? Can Ida B put together a plan to get things back to just-about perfect again?

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Katra rated it ★★★★★ and said “I really felt for Ida B., for her loves, her relationships, her woes, and her triumphs. This is a child’s book with true depth. I loved it!”

Lorna rated it ★★★★★.

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers

by Jessica Day George

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held March 9, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

Creel, the heroine of Dragon Slippers is hardly a damsel-in-distress. After her aunt totes her out to the local dragon in desperation (with the hope that the local prince will rescue her from certain death and marry her), Creel refuses the haughty prince and finds friendship with the dragons, who set her on a journey to the center of the kingdom with a pretty pair of what only seem to be ordinary slippers. Along the way we discover Creel’s enormous talent at embroidery, and you can’t help but linger over the rich descriptions of her lovely tapestry-like gowns, which quickly make her the most sought-after dressmaker in the kingdom. But soon enough those mysterious slippers begin to wreak havoc, and it’s up to Creel to save the kingdom from disaster and defend the dragons from certain doom. Creel’s feisty spirit breathes fiery new life into this epic world at every turn, making this one of the most memorable and fun fantasy debuts to hit shelves since Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart.

book 1 in the Dragon Slippers series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Lorna rated it ★★★★ and said “Good fun. Light, easy reading with warm humor. I was impressed with the plot also.”

Patty rated it ★★★★ and said “Well written and good story. My daughter will like it I am sure. My older daughter has read it and really liked it.”

Miranda rated it ★★★★.

Rump: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

Rump: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

Rump: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin

by Liesl Shurtliff

The Books for Boys Book Club meeting for this book was held January 19, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held February 2, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

In a magic kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone’s joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right. With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse.

To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—he just might triumph in the end.

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Patty rated it ★★★★.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

by Grace Lin

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held January 12, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

In the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli spends her days working hard in the fields and her nights listening to her father spin fantastic tales about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. Minli’s mother, tired of their poor life, chides him for filling her head with nonsense. But Minli believes these enchanting stories and embarks on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest.

Newbery Honor book for 2010

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Vivian rated it ★★★★ and said “Here is The Wizard of Oz with an Asian flavor.
Like Dorothy in Kansas, Minli’s village is gray and dreary with nothing but want and drudgery for her parents and herself. Her father tells stories to relieve the weariness. Her mother objects to the stories, fearing that Minli will believe them.
Like Dorothy, Minli sets out on a journey, meets remarkable friends, meets terrible obstacles and fierce opponents, and makes difficult choices.
This story is charming, heart-warming, and entertaining. Many chapters contain stories and alternating chapters tell of Minli’s parents while she is gone. I think this is one of the strongest features of the book. Children’s choices and actions affect others and especially those who love them most.
Anyone who likes THE WIZARD OF OZ will love this story.”

Lorna rated it ★★★★ and said “Fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore. Beautiful illustrations. Stories within the story dragged on a bit, but overall very nice with a good message.”

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

A combined Mother Daughter Book Club and Books for Boys meeting for this book was held December 8, 2016 at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

‘They say Aslan is on the move. Perhaps he has already landed,’ whispered the Beaver. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delightful strain of music had just floated by. And Lucy got that feeling when you realize it’s the beginning of summer. So, deep in the bewitched land of Narnia, the adventure begins.

They opened a door and entered a world–Narnia–the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Lucy is the first to stumble through the back of the enormous wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old country house, discovering the magic world beyond. At first, no one believes her. But soon Edmund, Peter and Susan, too, discover the magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. And in the blink of an eye, they are changed forever.

book 2 in the Chronicles of Narnia series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★★★ and said,”The one that started it all! For the rest of my childhood, I looked for magic doors and closets I could walk through. It made me want to live in Narnia.”

Vivian rated it ★★★.

Lorna rated it ★★★★★.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG

by Roald Dahl

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held November 10, 2016, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

The Books for Boys Book Club meeting for this book was held February 16, 2017, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

Captured by a giant! The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It’s lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, the Fleshlumpeater, the Bonecruncher, or any of the other giants-rather than the BFG-she would have soon become breakfast.

When Sophie hears that they are flush-bunking off in England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★★ and said “A little on the silly side, but in a great way! Very enjoyable. A great book for kids and grown-ups to read together.”

Lorna rated it ★★★★ and said “One has to admire this imagination. I especially enjoyed the made-up words.”

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine

by Sara Pennypacker

The Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held October 13, 2016, at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Book club reading copies were available for checkout from the circulation desk about a month prior to the meeting.

Clementine is having not so good of a week.

  • On Monday she’s sent to the principal’s office for cutting off Margaret’s hair.
  • Tuesday, Margaret’s mother is mad at her.
  • Wednesday, she’s sent to the principal… again.
  • Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.
  • Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.
  • And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.

Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week.

book 1 in the Clementine series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “Super cute read-a-like for Ramona and Junie B. Jones.”

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Flora and Ulysses

by Kate DiCamillo

Library Book Club meeting for this book was held January 19, 2017, at 6:30 in the entry foyer.

Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held February 11, 2016.

A Books for Boys meeting for this book was held October 15, 2015.

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format—a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell.

Newbery Medal 2014

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★★★ and said, “What a great book this is! Its a totally worthy addition to the Newbery list. Right from the beginning with that great cartoon, this book had me interested and laughing. K.G. Campbell’s illustrations are so great throughout! They really add to the storyline in a very tangible way. The language in this book is so quirky and charming, it totally matches the illustrations. DiCamillo has a real talent in being able to portray very real people and situations in a way that is compelling and enjoyable. I loved Flora! And Ulysses is a character pretty much unique, at least in my reading! I think this is an excellent read for middle-school kids and older, as they will be able to relate to Flora’s situation. Grown-ups will love it for different reasons, but will love it equally. Highly Recommended!”

Miranda rated it ★★★ and said, “This was a cute read. It reminded me a bit of Beverly Cleary’s Ralph books. The illustrations were fun, and I think there was just enough to work and not get bogged down in that format for those who don’t enjoy it as much as the written word.”

Cathy rated it ★★★★★ and said, “Holy unanticipated occurrences! This is a fun, fast read with a lot of substance. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.”

Lorna rated it ★★★★★ and said, “Many truths are exposed in this delightful tale.”

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

The Chocolate Touch

by Patrick Skene Catling

Mother Daughter Book Club meeting for this book was held May 12, 2016.

A Books for Boys meeting for this book was held March 17, 2016.

In a laugh-out-loud hilarious twist on the legend of King Midas, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate. Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out….

First published in 1952, The Chocolate Touch was an instant classic—and has remained a timeless favorite with kids, teachers, and parents.

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