Bonding by the book

Deirdre Newman

Twelve-year-old Katie Fisher has an insatiable appetite for books.

But her family members rarely read the same books she did, so

Katie didn’t have anyone to discuss her reaction with.

That changed when Katie and her mom, Trish, joined the

Mother-Daughter Book Club at the Newport Beach Public Library last

fall.

Now, they each read the same book every month and then get

together with other mothers and daughters to talk about it. The club

also allows mothers and daughters to spend quality time with each

other.

“So many activities are done with other kids,” Trish Fisher said.

“This is just another option to nurturing the relationship at home.”

The book club started six years ago and meets in a cozy room in

the children’s section. It is open to girls in the fifth through

seventh grades. The selection of books spans genres such as mystery,

historical fiction and horror.

Host Bonnie McLaren facilitates the discussions by hitting the

group with questions about characters, plot development, setting and

other storytelling techniques.

“Bonnie shows some good insight in asking questions so it helps

[Katie] make some inferences,” Trish Fisher said.

On Thursday, the group discussed the book “Stolen Words” by Amy

Koss. The book is about an 11-year-old girl dealing with the death of

her aunt, the affect of the loss on her mother and her stolen diary.

McLaren said she makes an effort to elicit reaction from all

members of the club.

“When I was growing up, I needed someone to draw me out, so I make

sure everyone gets a chance to talk,” McLaren said.

Ten-year old Agathe Farrage, the youngest club member, appreciates

the intimate setting.

“I feel more comfortable because there are not as many people here

as in class [at school],” Agathe said.

And Agathe’s mom, Elisabeth, said she enjoys the camaraderie that

has formed between club members.

“You get to know people. People are opening up about their own

life,” she said.