Hey, Chicks. We enjoyed the Cornucopia of Doom's thoughtful questions about Meg Rosoff's How I Live Now. As usual, the conversation was far-ranging, from lockjaw to goats confused with dogs to love. It was generally agreed that HILN was a hit, even if the writing style took some getting used to (no quotation marks, which must make my old English teacher spin in her grave). The cousin thing was also a little tricky/icky, depending.

We meet next on December 14 to discuss Natasha Friend's Perfect. If you have not returned HILN, please do so ASAP. Also, if you finish Perfect early, please get it back to me in the library. We're short copies this month, and I need a copy to read too. Read fast. :) Our December meetings are usually holidayish, so there probably will be a gift or two involved. Have a great Thanksgiving. See you soon!

Coming Up Next

The Chicks will be reading Meg Rosoff's Printz Award-winning How I Live Now for the

November 23 meeting. Mark your calendars! Also, we'll be meeting on December 14 to discuss the next book and have our annual holiday party.

Twenty-two people signed out The Minister's Daughter. I thought this was probably the most challenging book we've read in the four years of Chick Lit. Featuring fairies, piskies, accusations of witchcraft, sexual awakening, political upheaval and religious turmoil, it was not exactly easy reading. But for those who finished it, it provided a lot of issues to think and talk about. Thanks to Kristi's mom for the fabulous pumpkin cookies, and Lani and Hattie for the other delicious treats. The student assistants came up with artistic, thoughtful questions. You girls make every meeting interesting.

We welcomed two new members, senior Brittany Brady and freshman Ruth Leopold. The more the merrier! If you'd like us to invite anyone else to join us, please let Mrs. Deraps or Mrs. Robinson know.

If you've still got The Minister's Daughter, please return it ASAP to the library. If you have any comments about the book or the group, you can post them here. See you soon!

September

We had a nice turn-out. Picked three top books and we'll see what we get. Come see me in the library to pick up it up. Our next meeting is October 26 at 2:15. We encourage you to bring a friend...especially a freshman!

Edited to add---The Minister's Daughter, our number one pick was available! This looks like a really interesting book, a historical set in Civil War England, where magic and mayhem erupt in a small English village.

First Meeting!

Hey, everybody! Hope you had a fabulous summer. Our first meeting for the 2009-2010 school year will be Monday, September 21 at 2:15 in the library. Bring a friend! We'll be picking our first book choices. Snacks and fun. See you then.

Last meeting :(

I want to thank all of you who've spent the year with us talking, eating, laughing and thinking. You Chicklitters are such a special group of girls, and we feel so lucky to share the library with you! Our last meeting for the 2008-2009 school year will be TUESDAY, May 26. We'll be discussing Criss Cross. Good luck with all the end-of-year activities. We hope you'll join us next fall when we start up again!~Mrs. Deraps and Mrs. Robinson.

Last Book of the Year

Newbery Award Winner Criss Cross...where both everything and nothing happens!

Lucky 13!

Finally! We have Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher to read for our April 27 meeting (the first day we're back from vacation). Here's what it says on the book jacket: "Very clever premise, strong voice, perfect suspense. This one will keep you reading. Jay Asher is a fine storyteller."~Chris Crutcher

Please see me in the library after 10:30 AM if you need a copy. And remember we always have more chicks than books, so if you can, read fast so we can share.

We celebrated Mrs. Deraps' birthday and had some excellent questions and discussion (and great pink cupcakes!) about Side Effects at our second March meeting.

A gentle reminder---if you are one of the few who still have copies of any of the Mainely Girls' books that you've forgotten to return, please get them to me ASAP. You know who you are!

March Madness

Our second March meeting is scheduled for March 30! We'll be discussing Side Effects.

Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key was a big hit with the Chicks. It was a little lighter reading than some of the stuff we've read this year. Even though there were plenty of problems, they were nicely spread around.

See you in the library.

No More Snow!

Due to the snow day, our meeting has been postponed for March 9. Please get Lock and Key to me before that if you can so I can send it back. The next book is Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss. We'll be talking about it for the April meeting. It's short, so you all should speed through it so we can share (we only have 14 books). Here's what one reviewer has to say about it:

Pros: Easy to read. Hard to put down. Real.

The Bottom Line: Cancer sucks - even when it doesn't kill you. This is an emotionally honest book about its devastating effects, and the light at the end of the tunnel.

Any questions or comments? See me in the library or e-mail me at mlrobinson@msad9.org

Update

Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key is our February book. Next meeting is Feb.23.

Even though the late bus was cancelled, we had good attendance (and pink food) for our discussion of Looks. By and large the Chicks liked the book, although some had issues with the present tense and POV. We had a discussion of plagiarism, self-confidence, bullying, and eating disorders. Heavy stuff!

Please return your books ASAP!