Four years ago, a group of girls started a Mother-Daughter book club. As they conclude their fourth year, they look back on many fun sessions getting together to discuss all kinds of books.
"We have read 36 books by 36 different authors," said Joan Naidorf, mother of one of the girls. "We have ventured to distant lands, traveled through time, crossed the Sea of Knowledge, and traveled the prairies of America and the rough waters of the Atlantic. We have discussed bullying, racism, the immigrant experience, sibling rivalry and personal discovery. We have eaten a lot of brownies. We have become friends. I think it's been a good thing and we should keep it going."
Each month, a different person hosts the book club; that person also develops the discussion questions. Members of the club include: Daniella Miller, Leah Naidorf, Sarah Slichter, Isabel Hardee, Laura Reynolds, Suzie Kirby and Kaitlynn Kincannon and their mothers: Juana Miller, Joan Naidorf, Pam Russell, Stefanie Hardee, Christian Reynolds, Dixie Kirby and Judy Borsher.
The Naidorfs hosted the final book club of the school year this past month; the book being discussed was "Fair Weather" by Richard Peck.
Leah Naidorf asked the group what their favorite picture was, and girls and mothers offered up their ideas. Mothers read the books along with their daughters, and Pam Russell said, "I like reading the books we missed [as children]."
"It's an excuse for our moms to read children"s books. We all like to read," Daniella Miller said.
"It's with all our friends, the library has a book club, but I don't know anybody there," said Isabel Hardee, whose favorite book was "Walk Two Moons."
BOTH THE GIRLS and their mothers agree that they have learned a lot during the four years and have become better at their discussions.
"They've become more articulate and put much more into it," Stefanie Hardee said.
Leah Naidorf, whose favorite book was "The Phantom Tollbooth," said, "You get better and think a lot about the book. Most books I read are fiction. Iíve seen a lot of different things, Wright Brothers, non-fiction, some interesting subjects."
"Half the books I wouldn't have read if it wasn't for this [group]," Sarah Slichter said.