Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This is a very cute book about a man who lives a somewhat boring life in Stillwater, USA. He is obsessed with Antarctica, and specifically penguins. One day he gets a special gift from a famous explorer, and it starts an incredible adventure. A Newberry Honorary Award winner, Mr. Popper's Penguins is a classic from my childhood. Megan says, "Read this book."

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Youth historical fiction - 5 stars
This is a beautifully drawn and written work of historical fiction for children. Deemed an instant classic, it is good for all ages, but especially the 8-12 set. Selznick writes about Hugo, who lives in a train station in Paris, and he eventually meets Papa Georges, a character based on the real-life Georges Melies, an inventor and silent film maker from the 1930s. At our book club meeting, Susan was kind enough to bring a projector and show some clips of this era. Megan's favorite was George Melies' A Trip to the Moon, thought to be the first science fiction film in history. We highly recommend this book.