Originally published Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Boys-only book club takes a novel approach to finding adventures
Boys find adventure when they take over the book club that their moms started to encourage them to read and stay connected through the summer.
The Washington Post
The boys' book list
IN ADDITION to books mentioned in the story, the boys-book-club members recommend:• "The Report Card," by Andrew Clements
• "Half Magic" and "Knight's Castle," by Edward Eager
• The Spiderwick Chronicles series by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
• "Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid," by Megan McDonald
• "Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World," by Mildred Pitts Walter
The Washington Post
Yes, it was their moms' idea. But make no mistake, this is a BOYS book club. The six members — who just finished fourth grade — want to bury their noses in books and then talk about them, all right, but they want to do it while learning to sword-fight.
The suburban Maryland club began two years ago as a way to stay in contact over the summer. (We told you it was a mom thing.) But the guys are running the show now.
Sure, they might read something suggested by their moms — "Charlotte's Web" and "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," to name two — but their clear favorites are books about boys, especially boys who draw cartoons, play video games and joke about bodily odors.
The club meets once a month, depending on everyone's schedule, at a member's home. The only females allowed to attend are their moms, of course. They supply snacks and make sure things don't get too rowdy.
"The thing I like about book club is ... you get to see the books in another way," said Ethan Lott.
Not every selection is a comic or action adventure. Recently the boys read "Bridge to Terabithia," which was inspired by the friendship between author Katherine Paterson's son and a classmate in Takoma Park, Md., in the 1970s.
Maybe it was the connection to their own neighborhood and kids their own age that made "Terabithia" Ethan's new favorite book. He admits to crying — just a little — at the sad ending.
Often the boys plan activities related to what they're reading or other literature. They went to a Shakespeare festival (where they learned sword-fighting) and saw "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" at a local theater.
At each meeting the boys vote on what to read next. Their most recent selection, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," by Jeff Kinney, got V.J. Whitehurst's vote because "I don't like really long books, and I like books that are funny."
The book also was a hit with the rest of the group. Carter Tipton said it was the best book he has read as a club member.
When they get together, the boys talk about their favorite parts of the books they have chosen. At their October meeting, a moldy piece of cheese in "Wimpy Kid" reminded Max Burke of a game at school called Chills. Soon the entire group was playing.
Zack Wathen said the best part of book club is that "you get to know other people's thoughts." Occasionally, the talk does turn serious. At this meeting, the boys explored why Greg, the main character in Kinney's book, goes to such lengths to be liked.
"Why does he want so badly to be popular?" Arjun Blum asked the group. Being popular is fun, they agree, but it only matters if you are popular with people worth being popular with.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Local books: Illustrated Goethe, the Battle of Seattle and Wheedle on the Needle
Lit Life: Author Timothy Egan shares a bit of NW history with the world in 'The Big Burn'
50 years: Kan. town grieves 'In Cold Blood' deaths
Author Ken Auletta, 'Googled: The End of the World as We Know It,' at the Seattle Public Library
Book Review: Story of WWII told through 3 generals

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
263 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
262 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
204 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
183 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
167 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
128 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
95 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
87 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
84 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
71
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'








