Starting in January, six St. Louis County Library branches and the American Girl store in Chesterfield Mall will host a monthly book group featuring American Girl books. Each month, we will read a book about one girl, get together to talk about it, and have an activity. Featured girls might be historical or present day. Participants will get a special voucher for the American Girl store and receive a punch card to keep track of their meetings. Attend book discussions at any library branch or the American Girl store and be invited to exclusive Book Club events!
Find the schedule of meetings at www.slcl.org/events.
The store has generously donated new books to be made into book discussion kits available for check out by staff and the public. Each kit contains 20 copies of each book with ideas for discussion activities.
--Angie RH, Headquarters
Tragic news in the world of childrens books Friday with the passing of Barbara Park, author of the beloved Junie B. Jones series. Ms. Park was 66 years old and died after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was a long-time resident of Scottsdale Arizona.
The author was always known for her witty personality. As a child, she was a good student, but a little too chatty. She was a troublemaker and spent plenty of time visiting with her elementary school principal. She loved reading and making people laugh. Junie B. was based on herself as a young girl. Since 1992, she wrote more than 30 books in the series. When asked about the success of the books, she told Publishers Weekly, “For 20 years I’ve gotten to laugh my way through my work,” she says. “For me, that’s a dream job.”
As a thank you, laugh your way though one of her books. In addition to Junie B., she has picture books and middle grade novels.
--Angie RH, HQ
"The Pirate Girl's Treasure: an Origami Adventure" by Peyton Leung
"Pirate Girl" by Cornelia Funke
"Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the Revolution" by Bonnie Pryor