Mother Daughter Book Club #22

Summary: Four mysterious letters change Miranda’s world forever.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late. -- Wendy Lamb Books

This month, we read the Newbery Award winning novel WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead. Unfortunately, Booking Daughter and I had to miss the meeting, but from what I can tell, it was a fabulous discussion book! I'm sure all of the girls and their moms had a terrific time.

Even though we couldn't attend the meeting, I wanted Booking Daughter to read the book. I absolutely loved it and wanted her impressions, but I also think it's important for her to read all of the selections of the Tweeny Bookworms. She said that she liked it, but I don't think she'd go so far as to say she loved it. I was a bit surprised that she did ask me where her copy of A WRINKLE IN TIME was. I guess all of the references to A WRINKLE IN TIME in WHEN YOU REACH ME piqued her curiosity!

Next month, we will be reading OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA by Jennifer L. Holm. This book was a Newbery Honor Book in 2000, but I'm a little embarrassed to say that I wasn't familiar with it. Although, I must admit that I'm really excited about this selection after reading the book summary. It looks perfect for our girls.

While I was "researching" this novel, I discovered that the author has a brand new book out called TURTLE IN PARADISE, and I just received a copy of it within the last few weeks! I think I'm going to enjoy reading both of these books in the next month!

Summary: It isn′t easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899, but it′s particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement. With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can′t seem to abide her family′s insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. She′s sure she could do better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama′s going to have a baby, maybe there′s hope.

Inspired by the diaries of her great-aunt, the real May Amelia, first-time novelist Jennifer Holm has given us a beautifully crafted tale of one young girl whose unique spirit captures the courage, humour, passion and depth of the American pioneer experience. -- Harper Collins