CHECK IT OUT

Mother’s Day may be an annual opportunity to deepen ties with Mom, but

for kids and parents participating in Newport Beach Public Library book

clubs, the bonding goes on throughout the year.

Conceived as a way to launch discussions, explore issues and share the

joys of reading, the clubs meet monthly from September through June. At

each meeting, parent-child duos talk about popular works of fiction for

children and teens selected by members and librarians.

A quartet of clubs offers a range of different discussion dynamics.

All meet at 7 p.m. at the Central Library, except the Parent-Child Club,

which convenes at the Mariners branch.

For moms and their daughters in fifth and sixth grades, the

Mother-Daughter Book Club gathers on the second Tuesday of the month.

Formed in 1998, the club has discussed such popular works as Cherie

Bennett’s “Searching for David’s Heart,”Patricia Wrede’s “Dealing with

Dragons” and E. L. Konigsburg’s “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E.

Frankweiler.”

This year, favorites have included Kimberly Holt’s “My Louisiana Sky,”

about a bright girl growing up in Louisiana in the 1950s, struggling with

feelings about her mentally challenged parents.

“We talked about Tiger Ann’s role reversal with her parents, as well

as the gifts her mom and dad offered the world,” recalls librarian Bonnie

McLaren.

On June 12, a dialogue about Betty Ren Wright’s “The Dollhouse

Murders” is planned. The fast-paced mystery involves 12-year-old Amy’s

discovery of a dollhouse in her aunt’s attic. While initially unaware

that the dusty find holds a secret about a past murder, Amy learns the

truth from the haunted dolls.

“The plot may sound grisly, but it brings up interesting issues

involving Amy’s relationship with her developmentally delayed sister and

her aunt’s guilt about a past murder,” McLaren reveals.

In September, “graduates” of the Mother-Daughter Book Club can

continue sharing reading experiences in Shared Chapters, for teens in

seventh through 10th grades and their moms. Suggested titles include

“Ties That Bind, Ties That Break,” Lensey Namioka’s saga about a girl who

defies traditions of her Chinese family, and “Rules of the Road,” Joan

Bauer’s story about important life lessons.

Book selections are sometimes genre-driven.

“Kids drawn to fantasy might not typically choose a mystery, but a

club may motivate them to read a book they would not otherwise pick,”

explains librarian Gina Moffitt, facilitator of the Parent-Son Club.

On June 14, that group will focus on Willo Davis Roberts’ “The View

from the Cherry Tree.” Set in motion by a mysterious murder, the

suspenseful tale features sufficient action to intrigue fifth- and

sixth-grade boys.

Of all the groups, the broadest based is the Parent-Child Club, for

boys and girls in fourth through sixth grades and their moms or dads. On

June 13, that group will discuss Kate DeCamillo’s “Because of

Winn-Dixie.” The 2001 Newbery Honor book stars 10-year-old Opal and her

newly adopted dog in a story about friendship, loneliness and acceptance.

Registration is suggested for all the groups. For more information or

to register, call (949) 717-3870 or e-mail

jkelley@city.newport-beach.ca.us.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Bonnie McLaren, Gina Moffitt, Linda Kline and Teri Wiest. All titles may

be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.