THE VOTE IS IN: A GREAT BOOK

Last Tuesday night, Snacktime Readers met to talk about this month's book, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit. There's lots to talk and think about in this book long after you are finished reading it.

What if you could live forever? Would you want to? Keep in mind if everyone did how would our planet support them? Also consider how it would be to stay the same even though your friends were getting older and older and really old. That's the dilemma that the author presents the reader and to a ten-year-old girl named Winnie. What did she choose to do, drink from the spring with the special water or grow up in the usual manner? What would you do?

Readers in the group really liked this one and as is our tradition gave it a rating (10 is the highest) and made a comment:
Eusenia - 10.5 - Great!
Celina - 9 - Reading good even though it felt old and I like more modern stories.
Allisyn - 9 - It's a classic and wonderfully written but just when I was really getting into it ended.

Join the group next month, May 26, 7:00 p.m. , Glendale Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. For grades 4-8 and their parents. For additional information please call, (818) 548-2035. We are reading Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy.

ANOTHER CINDERELLA

Snacktime Readers met last night to talk about this month's book Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. This is the true story of one very young Chinese girl who overcomes great odds to ultimately have a very successful life. Treated badly by her family because they considered her to be at fault for the death of her mother who died giving birth to her, she endures not only that loss, but also the loss of every other family member who was important to her. The story takes place in mainland China in the period right before WWII and gives the reader a glimpse of what life in China was like during that period.

While the group was small this month the discussion was lively. Here's how they rated Chinese Cinderella:

Brittany - 10 I loved this book. The fact that it was a true story was amazing. Even though it was very sad, it kept my interest and I could not put it down.

Jaime - 5 It was an interesting book but sometimes it was just too sad to keep reading.

SNACKTIME READERS FOR AUGUST

The group met last night to talk about Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth. This was probably the most highly rated of title of any in the group's history. Here's what they thought:

Tamar 10+++ Whenever I just read a chapter, I just read more and more.

Crystal 9 I highly recommend this. I found it wonderfully imaginative.

Michael 300 Million This is a real good book. It is good for your brain.

Celena 10 I thought that it was funny. It is something I am going to make my sister read.

Allisyn 10 It is my all-time favorite book. The story goes beyond all expectations.

Jamie 10 It is a page turner. I could read it a hundred times and not get tired of it.

Brittany 9.8 I really love that it got my imagination going even though it was slow at first.

Shannon 9 It took my imagination to another level and me look at things differently.

Josie 10

Snacktime Readers will meet on September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Children's Room at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205. We will be reading the Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. For additional information please call (818) 548-2035. See you there!

For grades 4-8.

FROM THE READERS

Snacktime Readers met last night and this is what they thought about The Secret Garden (10 being the highest possible rating):

Tamar - 9.5

Michael - 9 It is really important to read so that you can exercise your mind.

Crystal - 10 A pleasure to read.

Allisyn - 8 I loved the descriptions and that the author portrayed the characters so well that you could picture them in your mind.

Garo - 9

We'd love to hear what you think about The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, our book for next month.

WE MISSED YOU...

The readers of the Snacktime reading group met last night to talk about Freak the Mighty and this is what they thought:

Crystal - 3 - The Characters were interesting. I did not think that it was a positive or inspirational story.

Allisyn - 8 - I loved the building of the friendship between the two characters. It was an original story and a good tale of a different friendship.

Brittany - 8.5 - I loved how the friendship grew and developed even though it was a sad ending. I really liked how it played out. It was realistic.

Khristie - 7 - I liked how the book was detailed.

Tamar - 7.5

(The numbers are the rating the reader gave the book. Ten is the highest rating and one the lowest.)

Come and join us next month on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205 and voice your opinion on The Secret Garden by Frances Hogson Burnett.

SNACKTIME READERS - JUNE

Join the Snacktime Readers on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Children's Room of the Central Library to talk about this month's book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. This is the story of two boys who become unlikely friends. Their disabilities, Max's learning and Kevin's physical problems, cause both of them to be harassed by their classmates but when they become friends and form a partnership they become a force to be reckoned with. Kevin opens new worlds of imagination and confidence for Max who in turn carries Kevin, aka "Freak," into the real world.

For grades 4 and older.

AND JUST HOW WAS THE BOOK....

The Snacktime Readers group met last night at the Central Library to talk about this month's book, Rules by Cynthia Lord. Here's what some of the participants thought ( we always rate a book 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest):

Crystal: It was a wonderful book. I loved it. (Rating: 10)

Celina: I thought it was funny. (Rating: 10)

Allisyn: I really liked this book. It gives you a different perspective on how hard it can be for people with disabilities and for their family members. (Rating: 10)

Join the group next month on Wednesday, May 27. We will be reading The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin. Copies of this are available in the Children's Room at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91204. For more information, please call (818) 548-2035. See you there!

MARCH SNACKTIME READERS

Like a good mystery story? Room One by Andrew Clements fits the bill and is this month's selection for Snacktime Readers. Join us for snacks and discussion at the Central Library, Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. It's always a good time.

For grades 4 and older.

SNACKTIME READERS

Like reading, eating and are in grades 4-8? Come and join the Snacktime Readers at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale CA 91205 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 25th.

This month's book AGNES PARKER.. Girl in Progress by Kathleen O'Dell is about being in Agnes' sixth grade year where having friends, trying to keep up with school working and dealing with all the issues that come her way, including a bully, keep her more than busy.

Check this group out. We talk about the book we have read in a friendly and fun way. Though since this is not school, you don't have to talk if you are not in the mood. Come enjoy the popcorn and listen to what other kids are saying.

SNACKTIME READERS BOOK FOR AUGUST

Like a good mystery? Join seventh grader Minerva Clark as she tries to help the popular and rich Chelsea de Guzman find her missing diamond ring. With nothing else to do for the summer Minerva takes on the case and even with her recently gained brave new attitude she finds that it may be more than she can handle. She finds herself in the middle of the usual thirteen year old stuff such as peer pressure, trendy clothes, a pet ferret that is a kleptomaniac with the addition of a mysterious death, identity theft and a money scam. Get a copy of Minerva Clark Gets A Clue by Karen Karbo to see how it all turns out.

This is the August book for Snacktime Readers. The group will meet to talk about the book and to share some tasty snacks at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205 on Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. It's not too late to check out a copy and join us. For grades four and older.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Three very bright, very spoiled sisters have their father wrapped around their little fingers so tightly that he lets them get and do whatever they wish. Sounds ideal, doesn't it? Like most things that are too good to be true this situation makes a change for the worse when their aunt arrives to take charge of everything. Thrilled? No, not these girls who do all they can to make their aunt's life as unpleasant as possible and when that doesn't work they try to marry her off. Fortunately all is resolved in Narinder Dhami's BINDI BABES. If you like this one then you won't want to miss the rest of the series.

Best for grades 5-8, this title was the July selection for the Snacktime Reader's book discussion group at the Central Library. This is a group for students in grade four and older and their parents. If you love reading and tasty snacks then this is the group for you. It meets the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Children's Room of the Central Library 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205 at 7 p.m. For more information, please call (818)548-2035.

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Any alumnus of STR out there? If so please send Theresa an email (trobinett @ci.glendale.ca.us) to get the details about the celebration and to receive your invitation to a night of books--an author! and food, of course. Hope to hear from you.