Cover2Cover...Meeting Recap

Ever dream of winning a fantasy cruise on The Love Boat by making it all the way to the top of the $20,000 Pyramid, then being so excited you put on your Walkman and break into a disco dance?  Think some day you will be playing Quidditch while a hologram version of your favorite singer serenades you from the sidelines?  

Hmmm....Things that are round?

Ok, maybe you haven’t dreamt or thought these things, but if you had attended this month’s book club you could have!  The feature book this month was When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and the book club members were shown fashion, music, entertainment and news highlights from the late 70’s; played a version of the $20,000 Pyramid; predicted what things will be like in the future; ate lots of Oreos; and even had great discussion about the book.  Fun times for all!

What should we ask Donna Gephart?
I wonder if she knows how to get Oreos crumbs out of your teeth?

Don’t miss out on our next book club meeting on March 7^th when we will be joined by a real live author to celebrate World Read Aloud Day!  Donna Gephardt, who wrote last month’s book club book How to Survive Middle School, will be joining us via Skype to talk about her books, read from her soon-to-be-published book, and maybe even answer a question or two.  See Mrs. Barbarino for a permission slip.  You don’t want to miss this one!!!!!!!  

Mrs. B is reading…When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

As the story begins, Miranda’s mother is preparing to be a contestant on the game show, $20,000 Pyramid. As they practice for the speed round and the Winner’s Circle, they add items to the wish list that hangs on their fridge. While they try not to get their hopes up, it’s too late for that. This is just a part of the story though…

Miranda and Sal have been best friends for years, but everything changes the day Sal gets punched by Marcus. Sal begins to shut Miranda out, and she finds herself spending time with Annemarie & Colin. Then things turn strange. Various items start to disappear, like a key, a shoe and a bank.  Not only do things go missing, but anonymous notes start to appear:

“I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I ask two favors. First you must write me a letter…
The trip is a difficult one. I will not be myself when I reach you.”


What does this mean? The notes keep appearing and Miranda soon realizes that whomever is writing them knows things that no one could know. How could the note-writer possibly know what happens in the future?

Not only is this story a mystery, but it is also a story about relationships and friendships. Take time to read this one. You won’t regret it!

When You Reach Me is the next book we are reading for Cover2Cover.  Our meeting will be on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 3:00-4:15 in the Canonsburg Middle School Library Media Center.  See Mrs. Barbarino for a copy of the book and a permission slip if you would like to attend.  Please come and join us!