Family Book Club

We started a Family Book Club this summer as a way to keep reading and to discover new books to fall in love with.  I originally wanted to have one book we all read and then discuss, but quickly realized that the age difference and interests would make it near impossible to choose a book.  So, now they each have their own book and have a week to read it.  At the end of every week, we discuss the books with each other and then they rate it.  At the end of every month we will choose a day trip anywhere in Minnesota to explore as a reward.  We haven't decided for the end of June yet because, of course, they can't all agree on where to go! I maybe will just have each one decide for one month, since there is 3 months to choose from.  Now I am sure they will battle on who gets to pick first! (:

Week Number one:

Alaina read: Thirteen Reasons Why By: Jay Asher

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY focuses on the set of audiotapes made by a girl named Hannah Baker right before she killed herself. There are thirteen sides to the tapes recorded. And they’re going to be heard by thirteen people. Thirteen of the reasons why Hannah ended her life.
This story is not just Hannah’s; it is also Clay’s. Clay had a crush on Hannah for ages, watching her from afar (but not in a creepy way). And he’s one of the thirteen people to receive the tapes. This book takes place mostly on the night that Clay wanders around town, visiting the places mentioned in Hannah’s tapes, listening to Hannah’s voice and trying to deal with what has happened. Trying to figure out why he’s received these tapes, why one of the thirteen reasons belongs to him when all he ever did was try to connect with Hannah.  It also shows how painful suicide is for those left behind and the struggles of trying to answer why?

Alaina's thoughts: It was suspensful at times, but I also saw most of the events coming, so it really wasn't that suspensful for most of the book.  All 13 chapters were based on one day explaining why she killed herself.   The book was just ok and I didn't love it as much as I thought I would since everyone else thought it was so good.  Alaina's rating: 3 stars out of 5.

I recently read there is a movie coming out based on this book starring Selena Gomez.  So maybe Alaina will enjoy seeing that when it comes out.

Jonnie read: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH By: Robert C. O'Brien

There's something very strange about the rats living under the rosebush at the Fitzgibbon farm. But Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with a sick child, is in dire straits and must turn to these exceptional creatures for assistance. Soon she finds herself flying on the back of a crow, slipping sleeping powder into a ferocious cat's dinner dish, and helping 108 brilliant, laboratory-enhanced rats escape to a utopian civilization of their own design, no longer to live "on the edge of somebody else's, like fleas on a dog's back."
This unusual novel, winner of the Newbery Medal (among a host of other accolades) snags the reader on page one and reels in steadily all the way through to the exhilarating conclusion. Robert O'Brien has created a small but complete world in which a mother's concern for her son overpowers her fear of all her natural enemies and allows her to make some extraordinary discoveries along the way. O'Brien's incredible tale, along with Zena Bernstein's appealing ink drawings, ensures that readers will never again look at alley rats and field mice in the same way.

Jonnie's thoughts: I think this book was a fantasy and I don't like fantasies.  Some parts made me nervous like when Timothy got pnemonia and I thought he would die.  Other parts were exciting, too. I would not recommend this book unless you like these types of books.  Jon's rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Sawyer read: Treasure Island By: Robert Louis Stevenson

Heady tale of a treasure map, a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure as seen through the eyes of cabin boy Jim Hawkins. An action-packed adventure story that will hypnotize young readers and entertain older ones.
Sawyer's thoughts: I loved this book! My favorite part was when Jim took the small boat and snuck up on the pirates at night.  This book was so good because the good guys won. The bad guys had so many weapons! It was exciting and I liked all the adventure!  (He REALLY liked this book mostly because he REALLY likes pirates-he never wanted to stop reading :)).  Sawyer's Rating: 5 starts out of 5.

So that is week number one.  I think it was pretty successful so far.  If you want to join us and follow along the kids are now reading:

Alaina-My Sister's Keeper By: Jodi Picoult
Jonnie-The Giver By: Lois Lowry
Sawyer-James and the Giant Peach By: Roald Dahl

We will finish up and discuss the books on Friday.  Feel free to read and discuss the books with us!