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YOUTH BOOK CLUBS

Check out our do-it-at-home book clubs for all ages. All we ask is that you read the book: do as much or as little of the rest of it as you want. No matter how much you do, the book is yours!

There are four age categories: grades K-3, grades 3-5, grades 5-8, and grades 9-12. Every book comes with links to explore, a review form, a few questions, and some activities that tie into the book. We will have posts on www.splyouth.org for anyone who wants to discuss the books or comment on the questions or activities. Supplies are limited, so grab yours today!

Grades K-3: Mrs. Dole Is Out of Control! by Dan Gutman

“A.J. and the gang are graduating! But Mrs. Dole, the out-of-control PTA president, is turning the whole thing into a huge ceremony complete with fireworks, a petting zoo, and a flyover by the Blue Angels! Why is moving up to the third grade such a big deal? And what could possibly go wrong?” (MDIOoC!, 2008). 

Grades 3-5: Crossing Bok Chitto by Tim Tingle

“Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl, knows better than to cross Bok Chitto, but one day – in search of blackberries – she disobeys her mother and finds herself on the other side. A tall slave discovers Martha Tom. A friendship begins between Martha Tom and the slave’s family, most particularly his young son, Little Mo. Soon afterwards, Little Mo’s mother finds out that she is going to be sold. The situation seems hopeless, except that Martha Tom teaches Little Mo’s family how to walk on water to their freedom...” (CBC, 2006). 

Grades 5-8: Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith

“It’s been six months since her best friend died, and up until now Rain has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around her aunt Georgia’s Indian Camp in their mostly white midwestern community, Rain decides to face the outside world again. ... Hired by her town newspaper to photograph the campers, Rain soon finds that she has to decide how involved she wants to become. Does she want to keep a professional distance from the intertribal community she belongs to? And just how willing is she to connect with the campers after her great loss?” (RINMIN, 2001). 

Grades 9-12: Night Witches by Kathryn Lasky

“Sixteen-year-old Valya knows what it feels like to fly. She’s a pilot who’s always felt more at home soaring through the sky... But since the Germans surrounded Stalingrad, Valya’s been forced to stay on the ground and watch her city crumble. When her mother is killed during the siege, Valya is left with one burning to desire: to join up with her older sister, a member of the famous Night Witches – a regiment of female pilots who fly light planes through curtains of fire to bomb crucial targets. Using all her wits, Valya manages to get past the German blockade and find the Night Witches’ hidden base... and that’s when the REAL danger starts. The pilots have been assigned a critical mission, one with the power to inflict serious damage on the Nazis. Valya will give anything to fight for her country, but when the person she loves most goes missing, she must make a choice...” (NW, 2017). 

STORYTIME KITS

Grab one of our do-it-at-home storytime kits! Shapes, magnets, rhymes, weblinks, an instrument, stickers, activity pages, a craft, and a free copy of the book are included. Supplies are limited, so grab yours ASAP!

I Promise by LeBron James

An inspiring picture book that reminds us that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today. 

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1BwbF4eNvs to watch the story read by illustrator Nina Mata for #BNStorytime, Barnes & Noble’s virtual storytime channel. Then, enjoy the activities! Everything is yours to keep!