Loot...and The Dog Who Wouldn't Be

Our October and November titles both touched on what is "truth"?   Should we lie?  Is there such thing as a good lie?As Farley Mowat once said: “I will take any liberty I want with the facts so long as I don’t trespass on the truth.”

LOOT by Jude Watson
We had a great discussion about the book Loot back in October.   The book's main characters are twins -- March and Jules who meet for the first time shortly after the death of their father, Alfie McQuinn, a skilled jewel thief.  They have a rocky start to their relationship and given their upbringing, do not trust each other.  But they do try to avenge their father's death and there are some likeable characters who help out along the way. 

Some book club members were not convinced of the authenticity of the characters -- they seemed like caricatures at times.  Everyone agreed the action was fast-paced but it was difficult to connect with March and Jules on an emotional level because they weren't fully fleshed out.  Where the plot was thin, the book made up for it with laughs and some great Alfie quotes!

We made jewelry as we talked -- paper beads fine enough that they just may have had appeal to a novice jewel thief!  We rolled beautiful patterned paper and discarded books into colourful beads, which we then strung on embroidery thread.  These necklaces do not take much time to make -- and just need a little patience, paper/discarded book pages, a pencil or souvlaki stick and glue or podge -- and some thread!
Some simple directions are here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Paper-Beads

THE DOG WHO WOULDN'T BE by Farley Mowat
We watched a short video interview by Sandra Martin of Farley Mowat on The Globe and Mail's website called "In His Own Words: The Life and Times of Farley Mowat".  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/acclaimed-canadian-author-farley-mowat-dead-at-92/article18511064/

This launched a discussion about creative non-fiction versus non-fiction.  Everyone enjoyed the humour in Mowat's The Dog Who Wouldn't Be -- many of us laughed out loud while reading the book.  But as it was supposed to be autobiographical, some of us were compelled to look at the dates given in the book, and to try to figure out how old Farley was at various points, but we realized that he was very loose with the historical timeline!  It all made sense when we watched this interview -- and coming to terms with what Farley deems the truth -- the emotional truth of an event or issue versus the factual truth.

Given the brilliant use of language in the book, we played a word definition game "Balderdash".  We had a lot of fun inventing meanings of words that are rarely used in everyday conversation!  It was fun to try to guess who made which definition up!  There were definitely some patterns based on our interests and tastes...Fun game!  And played with some very fun and creative mothers and daughters!

THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt is our January title -- we'll be meeting on January 21st, 7 - 8:30 pm.   Set in the Bayou, this Newbery Honor Book tells the story of loyalty and friendship between an old hound dog, a mama cat and her two kittens.  Look forward to discussing the horrible Gar-Face, mean owner of that sweet dog!

If you are looking for reading over the holidays, try one of the 2015 nominees for the Red Maple Award or White Pine Award -- follow the links to the books and borrow them while they are still in the library!  The book we read last spring The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten is a White Pine 2015 nominee!! Bravo!

See you in 2015!

Linda

Welcome Back! October book: Loot by Jude Watson

We had a great start to the new school year -- we created a banner featuring flags for each member.  It is now hanging in the Masonville Library's Teen Annex.  We still have a spot for two more Mother-Daughter pairs so if you know of anyone interested, they can contact staff at 519-660-4646.

We will meet Wednesday, October 15, 7-8:30 pm to discuss Jude Watson's Loot: How to Steal a Fortune.  Our craft activity will definitely be jewelry heist inspired!  Hmm, wonder what snack might be appropriate...

You can check out Jude Watson's blog here: http://judewatsonbooks.com/loot/

Look forward to discussing this fast-paced book with you all.  I loved all of Alfie's quotes of wisdom:

Never trust a guy who says “Trust me.”
If there’s no way out, find a way.
If people were meant to look back, they’d be owls.
Do it any way you want, but don’t do it stupid.

No matter how good you are, kid, remember this: Sometimes you get caught.

See you next month!

Looking for something else to read in the meantime?  Consider subscribing to the London Public Library's Teen Scene eNewsletter (click link to view current issue).  You can click here to subscribe!

Happy autumn!

Linda

New Mother Daughter Session starts...Wed. Sept. 17!

Hope everyone had a great summer!  The new Mother Daughter Book Club session at Masonville starts on Wednesday, September 17, 7 - 8:30 pm in the Sam Neill Room.  Registration is now live so you can visit www.londonpubliclibrary.ca or follow this link to register.  You can also register in person at the branch (30 North Centre Rd.) or call us at 519-660-4646.

There were so many new books to read this summer, and the time flew by!  It was great to listen to many of come to the library to report on what you were reading in the Get Caught Reading program --  from James Dashner's The Maze Runner series to revisiting Veronica Roth's Divergent series to Marie Lu's Legend books.  Yes, series were popular this summer -- it felt like you had the characters with you at the beach, in the park and on the couch!

I'm looking forward to reading some new titles and old favourites and learning about what you'd like to read!

I have some cool crafts and activities in the planning stages -- and I'm always open to suggestions on what you'd like to explore or skills you'd like to learn.





See you all Wednesday, September 17!  If you have any questions about the book club or registering, drop me a line at linda.bussiere@lpl.london.on.ca. or call the branch at 519-660-4646. 

Linda

Spring Has Sprung...Final Bookclub of season this evening

We'll be meeting this evening at 6:15 pm -- a bit early so we can play a quick hot potato game with book prizes (!) while we chat about My Name is Parvana by Deborah Ellis AND The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  Then we're watching a movie!  Popcorn, chips, pop & juice! 

Thank you to all mothers and daughters in the Masonville Mother Daughter Book Club -- it's been a wonderful time sharing stories and crafts and games with you during the last few months.

But you can still read over the summer and tell us all about it!  Starting Sat. June 21 you can register for G.C.R. -- Get Caught Reading program.  Drop in to the library to share what you've been reading, and get a ballot for a weekly draw!  You can also complete fun challenges this year to earn an extra ballot -- more chances to win cool gift cards! 

We'll have teen programs at Masonville Library during the summer too -- drop by to watch a teen movie on our big screen on Thursday, July 10, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (bring a friend and your own snack) and bring your favourite music so you can DJ a few songs at our Be A D.J. Button-Making Event -- yes, we're making buttons and cool collage cards on Tues. July 15, 7 - 8:30 pm, while we listen to awesome tunes and a light snack will be provided.  Don't forget to check out the weekly Awesome Box at any London Public Library location! Just for teens, you can play a game or do a craft or build something any time you are at the library.  Check it out in any LPL Teen Annex!

Registration begins Sept. 3 for the Sept 2014- May 2015 Masonville Mother Daughter Book Club  Always the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the first session will be Wed. Sept. 17, 7 - 8:30 pm.  No session in Dec.

Look forward to seeing everyone this evening!

Linda B.

We had a small but mighty group on Wed. April 16th to discuss Evan Munday's Dead Kids Detective Agency.  We had some character trading cards with Morna, Derek, Tabitha, Cyril and the other dead kids, as well as October Schwartz herself! 

We had fun creating blackout poetry -- using pages of discarded books and a sharpie we erased or blacked out excess words to keep the finest to create a poem!  In keeping with the writerly theme we also created poems from magnetic poetry!  We did not play Scrabble as much as Mr. Schwartz would have liked us too...

Our next meeting is our last for this year -- we'll register the Mother Daughter Book Club again for fall starting on Wed. Sept. 3.  First session will be Wed. Sept. 17 -- we'll meet the third Wednesday from Sept 2014 until May 2015, but no session in December.  Register both mother's name and daughter's name -- and we'll see you in September.

But for May!  We couldn't decide on My Name is Parvana by Deborah Ellis OR The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, so everyone took both!  Read whichever one you like and we'll discuss both!  We will also be watching a movie for our last session -- you can vote on which title on our Doodle poll.  I'll email you the link.  The Elegance of the Hedgehog?  Frozen?  The Mortal Instruments?

See you Wed. May 21, 6:15- - 8:30 pm -- we'll meet earlier to accommodate movie watching and we'll have lots of chips, popcorn, pop and juice on hand.  Bring a friend too if you like!

Linda B.

We met last evening on Wednesday, March 19, to discuss Teresa Toten's Governor General Award Winner The Unlike Hero of Room 13B.  Adam Spencer Ross, the main character who suffers from OCD, was deemed by some of the mothers and daughters to be beyond-his-years in maturity, but most of us attributed that to his home life and his malady.

We were all intrigued by Adam's Lists that he gives to his doctor Chuck as a effort towards dealing with his OCD.  Lying, liars and lies were central to Adam's lists as he tried to cover up his OCD and his mother's mental illness.  "Everybody lies, son.  Everybody."  Teresa Toten has a great website, you can check it out here.

So of course we had to play "Two Lies and a Truth" at Book Club.  There were lots of laughs as we voted on which 3 Facts stated by our members were lies or truths.  We had some skilled liars among us!    And some exciting personal facts:
One mom had once played hockey with Wayne Gretzky.  And almost met JFK Jr.!
One daughter was born in an examining room.
One mom did not run away at age 15, but did still play with Barbies at age 13.
One mom was not in a rock band.
One daughter was not born in Moscow, but her mom did once write for the Toronto Star.

Thanks to Sofia for an excellent tip on a short film called Mr. Hublot, which features a steam-punk world, a lonely man with OCD and a charming dog.  The lonely man trying to save the little dog reminded us of Adam, our Unlikely Hero, who was able to triumph over his fears to save his mother.  The truth did finally come out and allow Adam to heal.

Adam's struggle and Teresa Toten's book actually ended up helping me finish the lyrics to a song I was working on.  You never know what aspects of your life will be inspired and changed by a book!

Next up: We'll be meeting on Wednesday, April 16th, 7 - 8:30 pm and this month we're reading a mystery -- Evan Munday's The Dead Kid Detective Agency.  Evan Munday's blog "I Don't Like Mundays" is worth checking out, you can also learn more about the book on the publisher, ECW Press's website.  

PS  Close runner-up to our April book was Rachel Hartman's White Pine 2014 nominee Seraphina.  Several members walked away with both books, so we'll likely talk a bit about both!  Both novels are written by cartoonists and feature a mystery that needs solving.

For those of you who can never find enough books to read, be sure to visit the LPL Teen "Books and Magazines" section and subscribe to the Teen Scene Newletter (free! right to your email!) for great reading suggestions.

See you in April!

Linda B.

We're meeting this coming Wednesday, February 19th, 7 - 8:30 pm!  We'll be discussing Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, And What Alice Found There (1871).  

Get ready to practice your backwards handwriting as we transcribe the poem Jabberwocky as Alice first read it in a book on the other side of the mirror.  We'll have mirrors on hand so we can proof-read our work!

We'll also put on a short Readers Theatre version of Chapter IV -- Tweedledum and Tweedledee -- all 16 members will have a part to read! Mothers too!

We all borrowed so many different versions of this title, some of the illustrators (Oxenbury, Newell, Ross) differed, but be sure to check out John Tenniel's original illustrations in this archived copy of the book, which is also available through Project Gutenberg.   Lewis Carroll actually illustrated his first Alice story, Alice in Wonderland, to begin with, but the publisher's suggested Tenniel, who also worked for Punch magazine on occasion, to take this work on.

You can read more about Through the Looking Glass on the very thorough Wikipedia entry.

Look forward to seeing you all in a few days!  Happy Family Day!

Linda B.

Our January bookclub started with a visit from London Public Library's Marketing Department, documenting an evening at the Masonville branch.  Thanks to Rita Verhulst for taking this wonderful photo of us all smiling!  

Masonville's Mother Daughter Bookclub, January 15, 2014

GRAPHIC NOVELS! What talented mothers and daughters!  We had a great time creating storyboards for our own graphic novel ideas after our discussion of the various books we'd read.

Instead of all reading the same graphic novel we each read a different one.  Some of us read manga , others chose books like Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis -- we read everything from Pokemon to Essex County by Jeff Lemire.

• We discussed briefly whether or not there was a gender bias in boys having a preference for this format?  
• Some of us preferred to imagine characters and settings ourselves rather than see them drawn -- one participant said it was like preferring the book over the movie, you wanted to develop your own idea of the character in your mind. 
• Some of us were new to the experience of reading graphic novels and found it a challenge to read the illustrations while also taking in the text.

Some very creative and engaging stories were told and drawn when we settled down with storyboards and a few ideas on the whiteboard.  Theme/plot ideas to draw out stories for inspiration included:  The Argument, Shoplifting, Who Broke it?, Just Try it (On), The Blanket, Getting Lost, The Family Dinner, The (Car) Trip, How to Keep a Secret.  Each group created their own unique story.

SHOPPING FOR A DRESS FOR GRADE 8 GRADUATION:  One storyboard started with a memory. While the mother pleaded "Just try it on!", the daughter kept coming out of the change room in her street clothes after finding each dress did not fit with HER idea of a grad dress.  Big bows!  The wrong colour!  After driving home in tears of frustration (both mother and daughter) the pair decided to draw up a contract.  They arrived at agreed upon behaviour (for each of them!) that would work for success in finding the elusive graduation dress.  The contract worked!  In the last panel the daughter is happily wearing the PERFECT dress...

GRANDMOTHER'S CHAIR:  One mother daughter pair drew on a compelling story passed down through their family.  I had just finished reading Art Spiegelman's graphic novels Maus, so their graphic novel idea was particularly moving.  It was the story of a grandmother who protected her son (a member of the Belgian resistance) from arrest by not moving from her chair!

One evening the Gestapo stormed their home searching for evidence.  In fact, the son had come home with some important documents that would have linked him to the resistance but he had left them in his jacket pocket.  The grandmother was a large woman who loved to cook and eat! She sat, with a forbidding look to the Gestapo, in her usual chair.  While they searched and turned the house upside down they didn't dare ask the old grandmother to rise from her seat.  She stared them down.  The Gestapo left empty-handed.  Where were the documents?  Where was the jacket?  Hanging right on the back of Grandmother's chair -- she had been sitting on the pocket of the coat, right on top of the papers the whole while! What a story!  Perhaps some day this duo will finish their drawings and get it published!

There were some lighthearted, funny stories too -- a floating toaster in outer space, a glass owl ornament sitting on a mantel that somehow ended up in pieces on the floor...We could have drawn and told stories all evening!  Great collaborations!

FEBRUARY TITLE:

• Lewis Carroll's Alice Through the Looking Glass.  This will be put on as a play adapted by James Reaney (Canadian poet, playwright who was born in Stratford but lived for many years here in London)  this season at the Stratford Festival! 
• As a special treat, on Tuesday, March 11, Stratford will offer an Alice Through the Looking Glass workshop for ages 9 - 12 years right here at the Masonville library.  If you have younger siblings or are 12, you can register starting March 1st.  
• Meanwhile, we'll have fun on Wed. February 19, 7 - 8:30 pm discussing this classic and creating a whimsical craft!

MARCH TITLE:  Governor General Award Winning novel The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten!  Check out Teresa's website!  You can pick up your copy at our next meeting: Wed. Feb. 19, 7 pm in the Neill Room.

Cheers,
Linda B.