This is the end...

Not really, but our last meeting will be May 19, when we will be discussing Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. This book has been named an American Library Association Top Ten Book for Young Adults. There are a few copies available in the library. Come see me in the library after 10:30 A.M. if you need a book.

We talked about Hanging On To Max, which made quite a few of us cry as we read it. There was discussion how we would rewrite the book if we could. Most everybody wanted Sam to keep Max, and have his dad play a larger role in raising the baby. Conversation turned to the parenting program here at Mt. Blue, where teen dads are encouraged and supported in their efforts to take care of their children. The hardships of parenting, teen and otherwise, was discussed, with a few hair-raising (or head-tipping or naked) baby stories used as examples. The Chicklitters decided they'd like to delay motherhood until the time is right.

On April 29, representatives of MBHS Chick Lit have been invited to meet with the MBMS book club and their mentors to introduce them to the Mainely Girls program. We hope to grab some new chicks for next fall!

Spring?

Despite the snow, the Chicklitters got into prom mode with a discussion (and corsages!) of Laurie Halse Anderson's Prom, plus we celebrated Mrs. DeRaps birthday with a butterfly cake courtesy of Mrs. Gordon. A lot of the girls (and adults) identified with Ashley's original attitude about the whole promania that seems to overtake high schools this time of year. The girls also said something that made the staff feel pretty good---our teachers and administrators are a whole lot better than those in Ashley's school. The book was a big hit, and everyone got to listen to my prom night disaster of the broken spaghetti strap. :)

Our next meeting will be the first Monday right after vacation, April 28. Our book is Hanging On To Max. See the link below in January's post for more information about it. As always, everyone is welcome to join us. If you have a friend you think would like to sit in our meeting, please invite her!

March Meeting

Don't forget to stop in the library after 10:30 to get our March book, Prom. We'll meet next on March 31.

Awesome Book!!

I don't know about everyone else, but I loved Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You. Parts of the book dealt with a topic that I am very familiar with, and that is the definition of art. We often get into discussions in art class about this issue, and just like in the book, it causes a lot of Hal. Well, I am very excited for our meeting today and hearing more opinions on this specific topic.

February Update

Our next meeting is Monday, February 25 to discuss Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You. Laurie Halse Anderson's Prom is our next read. Have a great vacation! See you soon.

January Meeting

Great discussion once again on A Northern Light. We decided Donnelly tackled a lot of subjects---the role of women, racism, murder, love, family histories, education---seamlessly and with moving prose. Please feel free to add your take on the meeting in the comments!

Up for February is Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You (There's been a change in book order). Click onto the title above to find out more about the book. The books have arrived and are in the library---stop in to pick one up after 10:30 A.M. Hanging On To Max by Margaret Bechard should be next. Click onto the link and see the review on Teenreads.com. and you can read the first chapter to whet your appetite.Our next meeting is Monday, Feb. 25. Hope to see you there!

December Meeting

We had a great discussion about Pucker, helped along by a special "Barker's" book that Mrs. DeRaps, Marina and Brittany made. We contemplated why we might ever want to trade our freedom for beauty. I hope the questions they posed will be posted here.

Our next meeting will be January 28. We're reading Jennifer Donnelly's award-winning A Northern Light, a coming-of-age story set in the Adirondacks in 1906. It's truly one of the best books I've read in a while. Come see me for a copy.