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Love reading? You’re in the right place!

Want to discover a great new read and talk about it with other kids? Join us! The kids’ book club is all about enjoying a good book together and getting inspired to read...for fun!  For English speakers/readers, we will be reading One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. 

For French speakers/readers, we will be reading Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. 

Join whichever group interests you more, read the assigned chapters, keep a reading journal, and we’ll meet up virtually every other week for a live, 45-minute discussion. 

All books are readily available at local libraries, bookstores and online as paper, digital and audiobooks...enjoy reading in whatever format you like. Every two weeks over the eight-week session, we will post the chapters you should read for our next meeting – along with a reading guide with questions to think about as you read.

     


Book Club schedule

Participants are encouraged to order a printed or digital version of the book they choose and plan to begin on/around January 14th. Audible versions are also available for the chosen books for children who prefer to listen or have learning differences. These books have been chosen because they’re fun, interesting and age-appropriate. We hope kids will enjoy reading these books – and not see it as a chore or “homework.”

The group will be assigned a number of chapters for every two-week period, as well as an activity that can be done during the “off-week.” Each member is encouraged to keep a Reading Journal (paper or digital) to write down observations or questions as they read and note page and chapter to help them during discussions.  
 
We will meet every two weeks to discuss the books, what has happened in the assigned chapters and share Reading Journal notes.

Bi-weekly discussions are only available to children of John Hancock and Manulife employees. Links to the “off-week” activity and bi-weekly discussions will be included in your weekly email. 

        

     


Choose a book option

   


Choose a book option

What you'll need

  • The book (print, digital or audio – both books are available on Audible for members who prefer to listen or have learning differences.)
  • A Reading Journal (it can be a physical notebook or a digital document). 

    




This book is at least 216 pages, written for ages 8 -12, with 33 chapters (depending on what format you choose). The reading pace will be about 4 chapters a week (depending on what format you choose).

 

Book Description

In One Crazy Summer, eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. She's had to be, ever since their mother, Cecile, left them seven years ago for a radical new life in California. But when the sisters arrive from Brooklyn to spend the summer with their mother, Cecile is nothing like they imagined.

While the girls hope to go to Disneyland and meet Tinker Bell, their mother sends them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. Unexpectedly, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern learn much about their family, their country, and themselves during one truly crazy summer.

This novel was the first featured title for Marley D’s Reading Party, launched after the success of #1000BlackGirlBooks. Maria Russo, in a New York Times list of "great kids' books with diverse characters," called it "witty and original."

This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia Published January 26th 2010 by Quill Tree Books

       

One Crazy Summer: Reading and Discussion Schedule

Chapters:

Cassius Clay Clouds

Golden Gate Bridge

Secret Agent Mother

Green Stucco House
 

Meeting #1 on January 21st: 3:15PM-4:00PM

Check your weekly email for this week’s Zoom login information and don’t forget to bring your Reading Journal!

Here are your discussions questions to prep for our meeting [PDF]

Chapters:

Mean Lady Ming

Collect Call

For The People

Glass of Water

Inseparable

 

Week Two Activity

Download this fun activity to support your reading this week [PDF]

Chapters: 

Breakfast Program 

Even the Earth Is a Revolutionary 

Crazy Mother Mountain 

Everyone Knows The King of The Sea 

Coloring and La-La 
 

Meeting #2 on February 4th: 3:15PM-4:00PM 

Here are your discussions questions to prep for our meeting [PDF]

Check your weekly email for this week’s Zoom login information and don’t forget to bring your Reading Journal! 

Chapters: 

Counting and Skimming 

Big Red S 

China Who 

Expert Colored Counting 

Civic Pride 
 

Week Four Activity

Download this fun activity to support your reading this week

Chapters: 

Rally for Bobby 

Eating Crow  

Itsy Bitsy Spider 

Movable Type 

San Fransisco Treat 

 

Meeting #3 on February 18th: 3:15PM-4:00PM 

Here are your discussions questions to prep for our meeting 

Check your weekly email for this week’s Zoom login information and don’t forget to bring your Reading Journal! 

 

Chapters: 

Wish We Had A Camera 

The Clark Sisters 

I Birthed A Nation 

Stories of the No Sayers 

Glorious Hill 

 

Week Six Activity

Download this fun activity to support your reading this week

Chapters: 

The Third Thing 

So

Be Eleven 

Afua 

Meeting#4 on March 4th: 3:15PM-4:00PM

Here are your discussion questions to prep for our meeting

Check your weekly email for this week’s Zoom login information and don’t forget to bring your Reading Journal!

Week Eight: Meeting #4 on March 4th: 3:15PM-4:00PM

Here are your discussions questions to prep for our meeting 

Questions?

Download our FAQs to find out more

Questions?