"East of Eden" Book Club Ideas

"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.

"Hunted" Book Club Ideas

We decided to read this book because it was coming out around the same time as the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast and this book is a retelling of that same fairytale. We liked that it was a little different than the original and had it's own way to tell a story and Beauty is a skillful tracker and hunter in this story. You will have to read it to find out more.

“To the girl
who reads by flashlight
who sees dragons in the clouds
who feels most alive in worlds that never were
who knows magic is real
who dreams
This is for you”
― Meagan Spooner, Hunted

"Kids of Appetite" Book Club Ideas

"We are all part of the same story, each of us different chapters. We may not have the power to choose setting or plot, but we choose what kind of character we want to be."
- David Arnold, Kids of Appetite

- Example of the Invitation to Book Club - 

Hello fellow chapters! You are invited to an evening full of Heartfeelers and Super Racehorses (no sideways hugs permitted).

I'm not sure about you, but Kids of Appetite contained some of my favorite one-liners of all time. I laughed out loud and I cried out loud, all before page 50. I'm so excited to chat with you all about the memorable characters and feelings. So many feelings! I genuinely can't wait to share Vic and Mad with you all!

xo Alix

If you haven't read this book then you must put it on your "To Read" List ASAP. David Arnold is a literary genius and amazingly this is only his second book. He is also the author of Mosquitoland which was widely praised. 

I know I know you might be saying that Contemporary Novels aren't your thing but trust us you won't be mad you picked up this book.