November Parent/Child Book Club Books

For November we have two great choices for the Parent/Child Book Club Books. For Girls Read we are going to discuss the Newbery Award winner The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. At the monthly Guys Read we will discover the adventures of a sailing cat in The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs by Gerald Kelley.

I have to confess: The Witch of Blackbird Pond has been one of my all-time favorite books for decades (since I was the age of the Girls Read girls). I loved the history, the romance, the suspense, and the friendship that comes with this book. Though mostly as a twelve-year-old it was the romance that really got me hooked. I love Kit. I love how she tries to find a place with her family (even though she had never met them before). She is spunky and just wants to love and be loved—and do what is right (which is the part that tends to get her in trouble in a world of suspicion and witch trials). This is one of those books that changed my life. And I am excited to talk about it at Girls Read!

In The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs Jacob is a cat born to a famous ship cat. His mother was known for keeping ships and sailors safe. So when Jacob becomes a ship cat, he has to learn how to best take care of the ship and crew (such as providing comfort, keeping vermin off the ship, and trying to discern odd weather patterns). Only, he isn’t quite sure how to accomplish all that. This book is full of great adventures and a lot of Jacob’s struggles, worries, and coming into his own.

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Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

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