Peter and the Starcatchers

For the month of March we read Peter and the Starcatchers.  I don't know how you ladies do it, but you always end up assigning books that I fall in love with.

This book had adventure, magic, and mystery.  It was fun trying to figure out how it all connected to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.

As I walked into Laura's house she had Disney's Peter Pan playing.  (She's obviously a girl after my own heart when it comes to anything Disney.)

Things we talked about:

We discussed the characters.  I especially liked when Laura asked which villain we'd rather work for.  Personally, I'd choose Slank over Stache any day.  Stache just sounded all-around gross.  Your thoughts?

We talked about how everything connected to Peter Pan.  While some guessed Mr. Grin was in the "cage" others were completely surprised.  Is starstuff pixie dust?  Does pixie dust really require happy thoughts?  Did you like how intelligent the Indian Chief (his name escapes me at the moment) was?

I got a chuckle out of Shirley's revulsion to the ship conditions.  Anyone else?

Is anyone else going to read all of the books?  They are already on my to-read list.

Thanks Laura for a wonderful book, lively discussion, and delicious treats.  (You must share the recipe for those melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies!)  

Leave your comments about the book or the discussion.  I know I'm missing tons of other things we talked about.

Next month's book is Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody @ Sarah Tadje's house.  Don't miss it!

Charlotte's Rose

Last month's book, Charlotte's Rose, was SOOOO good!  Words cannot express how sad I was to miss the discussion.  This book made me cry.  Anyone else?

Shirley sent a bunch of questions for us to ponder while we read the book.

1) What was your favorite part of Charlotte's journey?
2) Which character in the story did you relate to the most?  Why?  Was there a character that reminded you of someone that you know?
3) Did you learn anything new about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) from this book?
4) Was there a part of the story that made you feel especially emotional?
5) How would it be not to be able to read or write but to have so much to want to remember and learn about?
6) How important is the setting to the story?  Is A.E. Cannon's description of the landscape/community a good one?  Did the setting of the novel detract or add to your enjoyment of the story?
7) What do you think were some of the common themes of the story?
8) Were there any passages or descriptions that you thought were especially well written, unique or thought provoking?
9) How important was religious faith to this story?

I will just briefly tell you what I thought in response to question #4.  The part of the book that made me most emotional is when Rose's dad came for her and Charlotte gave her up.  I did NOT want her to give him the baby!  After raising my own kids I knew how Charlotte must have been feeling.  I cried and cried--like a baby.  I understand that Rose wasn't her baby, but it made me so sad to think that Charlotte would probably never see Rose again.

Thank you Shirley for a truly enjoyable read.  I couldn't put it down!  I read it in one sitting.

Since I wasn't there to be a part of the discussion, I hope you book clubbers will tell me all about it in the comments.

Look forward to next month's book, (only 2 weeks away folks), Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson at Laura Johnson's house.