My good friend Alda Dobbs has written a wonderful book based on stories her grandmother told her mother, who then told them to Alda. Her grandmother, renamed Petra Luna in this fine historical novel, lived through The Mexican Revolution of 1910, and that event is what brought Alda’s grandmother and her family to the U.S. The stories are told through the eyes of an 11 year old girl.
I chose this book for the first selection for my 5th and 6th Grade Girls’ Book Club which meets at Rae’s Reads, my bookstore in Alvin, Texas. Only two girls came for the “organizational meeting” this past Wednesday, and both were brought by their grandmothers, who stayed in the conversation area of the bookstore and became friends. Both Evey and Ellie said they had a girlfriend who they’d bring this coming Wednesday, and one more grandmother volunteered her granddaughter via Facebook; so, I am expecting five girls this coming week. Evey’s grandmother has volunteered to bring refreshments. I have bought copies for the girls, and I am so hoping they like the book as much as I did. (See a review of the book written some time ago by going to the search box and typing in “The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna.” )
I am also going to recommend that they read Dobbs’ sequel to Petra , The Other Side of the River,
which chronicles her life and adventures once she reaches the U.S.
I’m hoping the girls will want to discuss what they read last week and will spend some time lounging in the bookstore’s children’s room, continuing to read and enjoy refreshments and each other.
Here’s to book clubs, whether you’re a fifth or sixth grader or a seventy-eight year old!
Three cheers for grandmothers! (And do you really have your very own bookstore? Wow! Living the dream…)
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I opened officially in January. I bought a nice little brick house and literally filled it with books. Most were donated, but I am only selling them for $1 for hardbacks/50 cents for paperbacks. I hope to have a non-profit/not-for-profit designation soon. It is a Book Hub “where people who love books can gather to participate in bookish activities.” Since January we have had four author events, a pot luck supper for 12 people, a class for writing a personal essay (The students needed one for their college applications.), and a mini-craft sale in Rae’s Reads. It has been such a blessing and is currently blessing my home town. My friends love to hang out there. It is a tiny spot of culture in our little town. We have not had a bookstore of any kind here for the past nine years. PTL!
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You already know this, but you are amazing! I wish I could fly down with some of my books and donate them haha. I hope you have many more fun events.
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That is truly impressive.
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Thanks for the kind words!
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I second your toast to book clubs!
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