March 2012 Newsletter

The beginning of Daylight Savings Time harbors spring and the promise of long summer days to come. After a rainy, chilly winter, I say it can’t get here soon enough. Here’s what you’ll find for mother-daughter book clubs in this month’s newsletter:

A giveaway just for moms
Books for Women’s History Month
A New TV Show for Book Clubs
Book Review: Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart

A Giveaway Just for Moms

Set around the time of the financial crisis that began in 2008, The Darlings by Cristina Alger looks at the high-flying lifestyle of investment bankers and lawyers and how one firm’s collapse can have ripple effects through multiple businesses and the government. It’s a fascinating read and I have one copy to give away to someone in the U.S. or Canada who comments by midnight (PDT) on Tuesday, March 13. Read the review and leave your comment to enter.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with These Books on Famous Women

March is Women’s History Month, which makes it a great time to read about women who have made an impact on history. Here are a few of my suggestions:

For readers aged 10 to 14

• Cleopatra Rules! The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen by Vicky Shecter-this book may be chock full of facts, but it’s anything but dry. The information it presents is interesting as well as informative.
• Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl-a fictional tale with real life events woven into it about aviatrix Beryl Markham and her childhood in Africa.
• Rebel in a Dress Series: Cowgirls and Adventurers by Sylvia Branzei, illustrated by Melissa Sweet-find out about women who pushed the boundaries of the times they lived in.
• Women Making America by Heidi Hemming and Julie Hemming Savage-lots of interesting information about women throughout different periods of American history. Fun to read and to keep on hand for school assignments.
• Zlata’s Diary by Zlata Filipovic-this recounting of the war in Sarajevo by an 11-year-old diarist provides a glimpse into her personal experience with recent history.

For adults and young readers aged 15 and over

• A Girl from Yamhill by Beverly Cleary-a memoir from the beloved children’s author.
• In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez-this is a gripping, fictional recounting of the Mirabel sisters during Trujillo’s iron-fisted rule in the Dominican Republic.
• The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein-a fascinating tale about the painter Pan Yuliang, who defied conventions for women in China of her time.
• The Queen’s Daughter by Susan Coventry-a story about Princess Joan, daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry 11, and sister to Richard the Lionheart.
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees-a fictional account of a possible romance in the famous author’s life.

New Television Show Puts the Spotlight on Book Clubs

I’ve always thought book clubs should have their own television show, and so I was excited to discover that one is in the works for public television. It’s called The Book Club Show, and the producers want to hear from you. There are two ways you can get in touch.

First, enter the Casting Call. Here’s what the show’s website says about people encouraged to enter: “If you love to read and talk about books, and if you and your book club think you would like to be on TV, please submit your audition application. We’re looking for a book club group of 5-8 people, and we strongly urge you to apply as an individual book club member or as a book club group (4-8 members.)”

Second, fill out the survey. Designed to help the producers determine just what you’re looking for in a show for book clubs, this survey is required if you want to be cast, but encouraged even if you don’t. I got my votes in for what I’d like to see on the show, and it only took a few minutes.

Book Review: Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart

Donna Gephart, who previously penned the funny and thoughtful books as if being 12-3/4 isn’t bad enough my mother is running for president! and How to Survive Middle School, has another great book for middle-grade readers aged 9 to 12 coming out next week. It’s called Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen, and here’s my review.

Ever since she can remember, Olivia Bean has loved to watch Jeopardy! It used the be the thing she did with her dad, before he left the family in Philadelphia and went to California with Olivia’s best friend’s mom. Now she watches the game show every night on her own, and sometimes she knows the answers when the adult players don’t.

So when Olivia finds out that testing for Kids Week is coming up, she knows she has to try out. Not only that, she’s got to win a spot on the show. That way she’ll get to visit the studio where Jeopardy! is filmed, which is near where her dad lives. With only 15 kids from around the country chosen to compete, Olivia will have to be extra sharp to earn a spot of her own.

If you like trivia, you’ll love Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart, but even you if you don’t there’s a lot to fall for in this story of a 12-year-old who misses her dad, is worried about her mom, and is making other adjustments in her life too.

For one thing, there’s the boy next door, Tucker, who used to be her friend but now he seems mean. For another, she hasn’t really made any other close girl friends since Nikki left for California. Olivia’s dad, who is a gambler, seems more interested in his new life than in the family he left behind, and her mom has been laid off from her journalism job. Olivia’s younger brother likes spouting gross trivia, and she resents her mom’s boyfriend. It’s a lot for a pre-teen to deal with.

But Olivia is strong, and you’ll cheer her on as she tackles life’s triumphs and disappointments while learning a lot about herself and the people who love her. I highly recommend Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 9 to 13.

Book by Book: The Complete Guide to Creating Mother-Daughter Book Clubs

Is Book by Book in Your Library?

If not, please recommend it. Book by Book is a great book for libraries to carry, as it lets even more moms have access to a tool that will help them start their own book clubs. Thanks for helping to spread the word by talking about Book by Book with your branch librarian the next time you visit.

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