Readergirlz: June 2009
Become one of the readergirlz
Joining readergirlz is simple, really. All you need to have is the love of reading - and the book of the month, of course! Get the book from your local library or bookstore. Then, as you read it, discuss it with other readers at the readergirlz blog.
Simply put, readergirlz is an interactive book group, open to all ages (and both genders - we do have readerguys!) But it's so much more than that. Reading a book isn't the same thing as experiencing a book. We want you to read, reflect, and reach out. That's why, every month, we pick a book which features strong, gutsy girls, then go beyond that. We recommend additional titles (see below for our postergirlz picks) and inform you of outreach programs that tie-in to the book we're discussing. Every issue also has an exclusive interview with the author of that month's book as well as a playlist created by the author, discussion questions, and tips on hosting your own book group.
Want to see what books we've spotlighted and discussed before? Browse through our archived issues.
This Month
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr is our June selection for readergirlz.
When Jennifer was in elementary school, she had only one friend. His name was Cameron, and he meant the world to her. When they were together, the taunts of their classmates didn't matter . . . as much. Jennifer always felt safe with Cameron - until something horrible happened to them in fifth grade. Shortly thereafter, he stopped coming to class, and then he was just gone with no explanation, no good-bye.
Now it's eight years later, and Jennifer has changed in more ways than one: she's lost weight, gained confidence and friends, and now calls herself Jenna. Then Cameron returns, and Jenna remembers who she used to be - and what took place when they were kids.
Find out more about the book by reading the June issue of readergirlz and our roundtable book discussion.
Mark Your Calendars (and Your Books!)
Join us at the readergirlz blog on Tuesday, June 9th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST for a special chat with readergirlz diva Melissa Walker. We'll be celebrating the release of her newest book, Lovestruck Summer.
Chat live with Sara Zarr at the readergirlz blog on Wednesday, June 17th. The chat will begin at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST and last for about an hour.
Download this month's bookmark - PDF or JPG - made by Holly Cupala.
readergirlz on the web
Bookmark our main stomping grounds:
http://readergirlz.blogspot.com
http://www.readergirlz.com
Where else can you find readergirlz?
* MySpace
postergirlz picks
Check out this month's recommended reads, selected by the postergirlz, the teen lit advisory council for readergirlz.
Fiction
The Alison Rules by Catherine Clark
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Purge by Sarah Darer Littman
Hold Me Tight by Lorie Ann Grover
Peeled by Joan Bauer
Non-Fiction
The Year We Disappeared by John and Cylin Busby
Read, Reflect, Reach Out
Bully Bust 2009, a "community-led concerted effort to reduce bullying in schools," encourages people of all ages to speak up when they see bullying happening in their schools, in their neighborhoods, or online. Take the STAND UP pledge at the website! See my post about BullyBust.
Recent readergirlz Reads
Last month's featured book: Red Glass by Laura Resau
Next month's featured book: The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
August's featured book: Kendra by Coe Booth
Visit the readergirlz archive.
Related Posts
Meet the readergirlz divas and the postergirlz advisory council
Read the original readergirlz press release
View all of the readergirlz-tagged posts at Bildungsroman