"East of Eden" Book Club Ideas

Book Review for "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" {by Susan Cain}

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

AUTHOR: Susan Cain

PUBLISHER: Crown Publishing Group 

NUMBER OF PAGES: 370

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2012

READING LEVEL: Grade 5 and up 

GENRE: Nonfiction 

SUMMARY:

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Our Star Rating:

"Echo" Book Club Ideas

“Music does not have a race or a disposition! Every instrument has a voice that contributes. Music is a universal language. A universal religion of sorts. Certainly it's my religion. Music surpasses all distinctions between people." – Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Echo tells 3 main stories: Friedrich, Mike and Ivy. All are children of preteen age, they all live in different times, places and circumstances. We get to read each one of their stories separately, and the power of music is what connects their stories in ways you wouldn't have guessed. Each character has a discrete story that could stand on its own, but all of them are linked through time and distance by a harmonica. I know, but don’t question it—just go with it! That’s the beauty of middle grade literature; you can start with a humble harmonica and end up with a symphony that stays with you long after the last note/page.

Book Review for "Echo" {by Pam Muñoz Ryan}

TITLE OF THE BOOK: Echo
AUTHOR: Pam Muñoz Ryan
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press
NUMBER OF PAGES: 600ish pages (sorry I did audio!)
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2015
READING LEVEL: Upper Middle grade
GENRE: Young adult fiction

BOOK SUMMARY: This novel combines four separate stories and weaves the tale of the harmonica that binds them together. Each story is focused on a child and how they find strength in this harmonica – even in some of the darkest of times. Though these stories are all different, the threads the characters share are beautiful and touching.

Our Star Rating...