Discussion Topics - The Parker Inheritance

• where would you hide a treasure?
• was James Parker right to go back to being Reggie?
• what would you miss most about your home, school, town?
• favorite character? why?
• who would you recommend this book to?

Review - The Parker Inheritance

The Parker Inheritance is a suspenseful book with great characters. If you like word puzzles/riddles, then this is the book for you.

Twelve-year-old Candice finds a letter that her grandmother left in the attic of her old house where Candice is living for the summer. Candice is sure that she was meant to find it. But she's not sure who she can trust with its contents. She soon enlists the help of Brandon , the 11-year-old boy across the street.

Against a backdrop of the history of racism in the south, the two children struggle to find answers to the puzzle in the letter and puzzles in their lives. But not all puzzles get solved and not all endings are happy. It's a fascinating ride to see if these two kids can solve the grandmother's puzzle.

Meeting Schedule - Howl's Moving Castle

Try this book group meeting for Howl's Moving Castle. It will be a lot of fun.
• Review
• Discussion Topics
• "Cookie" Recipe - Tunnel of Fudge Cake
• Craft Project

Project - Howl's Moving Castle

We didn't do a project for Howl's Moving Castle. But here are some ideas for your book group project.
Make a wizard hat - http://familycrafts.about.com/od/costumeacces/a/wizardhat.htm
Make a magic wand - http://www.pacon.com/projects/MagicWandCraftProject.htm

Conjure up your own spell. Make a list of interesting items that would go into a spell and then try to make it rhyme. For example:
      What a wonderful spell this would be
      If I mixed sugar and a bit of tea
      Add some water and lemon drops too
      And let's find something that will make it blue

You get the idea...

Review - Howl's Moving Castle

Wow! What a ride. From the start, Howl's Moving Castlegrabs you and takes you on a wild ride of magic, adventure, mystery and love.

At the beginning of the story, we meet Sophie, a plain young hat-maker. For some reason, the Witch of the Waste casts a spell on her and Sophie is instantaneously an old woman. She can't tell anyone about the spell and ironically sees the spell as an opportunity to set out on her own.

Tired and weary from a day of walking, Sophie must seek refuge in Howl's moving castle. Inside, she finds an unholy mess. She then meets the fire demon Calcifer, Howl's apprentice Michael, and eventually Howl.

Despite his reputation for evil-doing, Howl is not one to turn out someone in need. When Sophie tells him that she is the new cleaning lady, he allows her to be that and she sets to the task (barring a few limits which Howl has placed upon her cleaning.) The ragtag team of people in this 'household' become close.

Sophie learns about the ties that bind Howl and Calcifer. She learns much of the magic of the house and even comes to find out she has some magic herself. To no avail, she tries to help Howl elude the responsibility of finding the Prince and the Wizard of Suliman. She roots for Howl in his fight with the Witch of the Waste but she is still concerned over his womanizing and the inevitable heartbreak which will befall her sister Lettie.

So much happens in so many interesting places, I would do a disservice to say that this is a summary of the book. Suffice it to say, that I recommend that you read this book. Howl's Moving Castleis a fun-filled adventure that will leave you breathless.

Please note that the movie and the book are very different from each other. While we love Miyazaki movies, we thought the story in the book was better than the one told in the movie.


This book receives four cookies from us!

Discussion Topics - Howl's Moving Castle

Why did Sophie think that Howl ate girls' hearts?
Was Howl good or bad?
Have you ever thought someone was bad and then when you learned more about them found that you were wrong?
What 3 other places would you want your door to open to?
What did you think of Sophie's response to being old? How would you have responded?
What did you think of Michael?
Why was Sophie afraid of Howl? Of the scarecrow? Of the dog?
When did you realize what Calcifer really was?
Why was Sophie nervous about breaking the contract?
Throughout the book, did Sophie like Howl? Did Howl like Sophie?
Why didn't Howl tell Sophie what he knew about her spell? About Miss Algorian?
What would your wizard name be?
For further discussion, you can find an interview with the author, Diana Wynne Jones, at the back of the book. Get Howl's Moving Castlefrom Amazon.com

"Cookie" Recipe - Tunnel of Fudge Cake

OK, it's not a cookie but this cake is so chocolate-y and thick and substantial that it could be.

We chose Tunnel of Fudge Cake as our treat for Howl's Moving Castlebecause like Howl and his castle, it's dark and mysterious on the outside but sweet on the inside. We also skipped the glaze but you don't have to.

From Cook's Country: Tunnel of Fudge Cake (episode: Super Fudgy Cake) - Serves 12 to 14.

Don't use a cake tester or toothpick because it'll seem wet due to the fudgy center. Just take the cake from the oven when the sides begin to pull away from the pan and the surface of the cake springs back when pressed gently with your finger.

Ingredients

Cake
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder , plus extra for dusting pan
1/2 cup boiling water
2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups pecans or walnuts, chopped fine
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs , room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter , softened

Chocolate Glaze
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup light corn syrup
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
1. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12-cup Bundt pan and dust with cocoa powder. Pour boiling water over chocolate in medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Whisk cocoa, flour, nuts, confectioners' sugar, and salt in large bowl. Beat eggs and vanilla in large measuring cup.

2. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, add egg mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Add chocolate mixture and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Beat in flour mixture until just combined, about 30 seconds.

3. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth batter, and bake until edges are beginning to pull away from pan, about 45 minutes. Cool upright in pan on wire rack for 1 1/2 hours, then invert onto serving plate and cool completely, at least 2 hours.

4. For the glaze: Cook cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Stir in vanilla and set aside until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Drizzle glaze over cake and let set for at least 10 minutes. Serve. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.)

Discussion Topics - Mother Daughter Book Club: Pies and Prejudice

Was it 'fair to use audio books? Compare and contrast audio books with traditional books.
What did you learn about a woman's life situation in the late 1700s?
Which character are you most like? Why?
Is there another character you'd prefer to be like? Why?
The characters have so many interests. Name some of them.
Did this story inspire you to read Jane Austen? Why or why not?
Mrs. Hawthorne said Rupert Loomis "hadn't grown into himself yet." What did she mean?
You can find 'Queen Bees' or bullies like Annabelle Fairfax in real life. How should they be handled
Jane Austen was Mrs. Hawthorne's favorite author. Who is yours?

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You can find more discussion topics at the back of the book. You can get the book Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com.

Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Cream Pie Cookie Bars

It's the best of both worlds - cookies and pie!!
Chocolate Cream Pie Cookie Bars



Ingredients
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

5.9 oz package instant chocolate pudding
cold milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a medium bowl, blend together softened the first three ingredients (butter, sugar, flour) until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 8 inch square pan.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. Let crust cool.

Prepare the chocolate pudding according to package directions. Pour over crust. Put plastic wrap on top and put in refrigerator to chill for several hours. When pudding is set, cut into bars and serve with whipped cream on top.

Yields 9 square bars (or more if you cut into small rectangles.)

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Even better when served with a good book - Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com

Review: The Mother Daughter Book Club - Pies and Prejudice

Because it’s the fourth in a series, I was worried that this book might be a disappointment. I need not have worried. MDBC:Pies and Prejudice was just as delightful, if not more, than the 3 stories that preceded it. The girls are growing up and it’s still fun to be a part of their diverging lives and then watch them come together for book club.

In this volume, Emma and the rest of the Hawthorne family move to England for a year for the father’s work. Emma is nervous, but excited that she and her mother will be able to visit all places Jane Austen. Her brother Darcy is not so keen on the idea but warms up to it eventually. The concern soon becomes what will happen to the Mother Daughter Book Club when they’re gone?

No need to worry. In this technological age, Emma and her Mom video chat into the meetings which are held at the Wongs (for technological purposes.) It doesn’t hurt that now everyone else can offer to bring food and Mrs. Wong won’t have to make any of her all-natural, tofu based ‘snacks’.

Outside of the book club goings-on, Megan is still into fashion and even starts a blog. Cassidy is playing great hockey and coaching a youth league. Emma has always known that she wanted to be a writer. In addition to missing Emma, seeing her friends with direction leave Jess worried because she hasn’t chosen a career path yet. Volunteer work with a wildlife rehab gives her renewed hope.

After Emma has a nasty encounter with a world-class queen bee, the MDBC ‘cooks up’ a way to brighten up Emma’s spring break by bringing her home. And a few months after Emma’s return to England, the group has the chance to come visit the Hawthornes there. These events tighten the bonds of friendship that have been built over the last three volumes. Sprinkled with some misunderstandings, a bit of romantic adventure and Emma’s publishing debut, this is a great read and a perfectly brilliant tie-in with Jane Austen and her writing. Loved it!


This book receives four cookies and a glass of milk.

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Learn more about Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com

Review - The Mother Daughter Book Club: Dear Pen Pal

This is another enjoyable book in a series of books that I have enjoyed so much. The girls in the book club are growing up and learning more about themselves and the world around them. This time they are reading books by Jean Webster. I haven’t (yet) read the Webster books but my interest is now piqued.


Jess is given a scholarship to the local private school where her greatest challenge is not the academics but a roommate that makes Becca Chadwick look like Miss Congeniality. Emma’s relationship with Stewart grows and she finds a new friend in an unexpected place. Megan explores her relationship with her mother through a visit from her grandmother. Cassidy learns about life as the Sloane-Kincaid family grows and changes.

In addition to everything that’s happening in Concord, the girls are reading Daddy-Long-Legs which is told through a series of letters. To broaden the experience for the book club girls, Mrs. Hawthorne sets up a pen pal for each girl. Their pen pals are from Gopher Hole, Wyoming and each has uncanny similarities to the girls in Concord. I would have liked to have focused a bit more on the pen pal idea. I've been thinking a lot lately about letter writing and how important it is.

Anyway, I try (but never succeed) to read these Mother-Daughter Book Club stories slowly so that I can ‘hang out’ with the group for just a little longer. I think that girls (and their mothers) reading these books can find a bit of themselves in each character. I look forward to the next in the series.



This book receives four cookies and a glass of milk.

Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Thumbprints

Wallace Wallace was under a lot of pressure but he remained true. These traits made us think of chocolate thumbprints which are really good but have to withstand a little bit of pressure.

Chocolate Thumbprints

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
•  Pinch of salt
• 2 cups flour

• 3/4 cup of Chocolate Ganache(recipe follows)

In small bowl, mix flour and salt. In mixer, cream  butter and sugar on for about 5 minutes. Separate eggs then add yolks and vanilla to the butter mixture. Add flour and mix until just combined. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes then preheat oven to 350F.

Take the dough out of the refrigrator and roll into approx 1 inch balls. Hold in the palm of one hand, then make a thumbprint in the middle of cookie (but don't press too hard!)  Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment.

Bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes. Check that cookies are a bit firm before removing from oven.Transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely (if thumbprints are gone, make them again noew while cookies are warm).

While cookies cool, make ganache.

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Chocolate Ganache
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chocolate chips

Stir cream and chocolate chips in double boiler on low heat until warm. If you don't have a double boiler, you can microwave for 30 seconds. If the chocolate doesn't melt, then try 30 seconds more.

When cookies are cool, spoon 1/2 tsp chocolate ganache (or more) into thumbprints

Project - Mother Daughter Book Club: Dear Pen Pal (Thanksgiving Place Cards)

This project wasn't linked to any book but after reading the 3rd book in the Mother Daughter Book Club series, this seemed to fit.

We also wanted to let our readers know how thankful we are for them. We are also thankful for our books and for our blog. So this project seemed perfect for that reason and for this season. (If you think of a good Thanksgiving themed book to do a schedule for, please let us know.)

Supplies:

• Scissors
• Kraft brown cardstock
• Green cardstock
• Yellow cardstock
• Grey cardstock
• Orange/rust cardstock
• Brown cardstock
• Cream cardstock
• Thin black marker
• Ink
• Cosmetic sponge
• Glue stick

Note: we found a pack of autumn colored cardstock at the local Michaels which was perfect for this project

1. Download and print this template . Then cut the pieces for your place card. When you finish cutting, your pieces should look something like this:

2. Cut a piece 8.5"x11" kraft brown cardstock into quarters (each piece 4.25"x5.5"). Fold the cardstock in half, crease and open.

3. Use cosmetic sponge and ink to shade the edges of each piece.

4. Attach first green hill to the cardstock.

5. Attach second green hill to the cardstock

6.Attach pieces in the following order:

• yellow legs
• brown back wings
• orange/rust wings
• left green wing
• grey turkey body
• right green wing
• cream head
• yellow bill

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7. Using a thin black marker, make the dots for the eyes and write in the name.

8. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Projects - How to Make a Paper Football (No More Dead Dogs)

A good way to while away the time on a rainy day is making and playing with this paper football. You can decorate them anyway you want, too.

Supplies Needed:

- Piece of Paper
- Scissors (optional)

1. Fold a piece of paper in half vertically (long way). Tear or cut the paper along the fold.



2. Fold the remaining half in half again. Crease the fold well with the scissors or your finger nail.



3. Hold the paper vertically and fold the top corner down to meet the opposite edge of the paper, forming a triangle.



4. Fold the triangle over again and again until there is no paper left to fold.















5. Make a tab with the remaining paper and tuck it into the pocket of the paper.



6. Color or decorate.

Discussion Topics - No More Dead Dogs

Why do you think the author gave the character the name Wallace Wallace?

Was Wallace a football hero? Was he a regular hero?

Why did Wallace never lie? Would you rather be in detention for having told the truth or out of detention with a lie?

How could you tell that Wallace liked Rachel? What did he like about her?

Name some of the ways Wallace improved the play. Would a teacher really let him do this? Should they?

Review - No More Dead Dogs

This is a book about a boy, dogs, football and detention - not exactly my usual read. But I have to say I enjoyed it.

Wallace Wallace’s father never told the truth. So Wallace Wallace was driven to always tell the truth - even if it got him in trouble. And when he reviewed, Old Shep, My Pal for English class, that’s exactly what the truth did. OS,MP was a life-long favorite of Mr. Fogelman, the English teacher. Wallace Wallace panned it as “the most boring book I’ve read in my entire life.” So it’s off to detention with Wallace.

Unfortunately, the English teacher’s version of detention is drama club practice. So not only is Wallace serving detention, he is serving it in the gym where the drama club is preparing their production of Old Shep, My Pal. It couldn’t get any worse – or could it? Wallace refuses to re-write his review AND starts critiquing the play. When Mr. Fogelman asks Wallace how he would treat this classic differently, Wallace does what he always does. He gives his honest answer. And that’s when the trouble really begins.

Wallace can’t get out of detention, can’t return to football practice and his whole life changes. But is it really a bad thing? Wallace’s basic reputation was based on a lie and it bothered him to no end. In the end, he found his truth.

This is an enjoyable read and fun characters. It's light, yet interesting subject matter make it a good summer reading book. I highly recommend it for boys in the middle school grades – even reluctant readers will enjoy it. The text is not too advanced and the pace is good. I also recommend this for girls who don’t mind a little football thrown in the mix.

This book receives four cookies - woof!

Wendy Mass!!! Woohoo!

We sent Wendy Mass an email to let her know how much we liked Every Soul a Star. And, today... we heard back from her! Totally exciting!!

Not only was she super-nice, she also gave us permission to link to her blog - see our Author Links list on the left. Like chocolate, a link is always better when it's doubled so here's another link - check out her blog, it's a lot of fun!

Want more Wendy Mass goodness? Keep checking back here because we'll be doing CookieBooky meeting ideas for other books by her including Eleven Birthdays and Jeremy Fink.

Projects - Make a Vision Book / Board (Every Soul a Star)

Bree’s “Book” was very similar to what we think of as a “Vision Book” which is another form of a “Vision Board”. In this busy world of radio, TV, iPods, cell phones, Internet, it is easy to get distracted from one’s goals. A vision book, or board, is a tool that people use to keep their dreams, desires and goals in the forefront of their thoughts.

It’s really a simple but effective tool. Several years ago, I made a vision board. My theme was fitness. I posted it right next to my desk. It reminded me to get in a little bit of exercise every day. Since that board, I’ve dropped 10 of those extra 15 pounds AND I’ve made exercise a more regular habit.

Vision books/boards should be a guide not the rule. Be flexible with your ideas. Remember in Every Soul a Star, Bree used her book to keep her ‘eyes on the prize’ as far as modeling went. Life threw her a bit of a curve ball in the form of going to Moon Shadow Campground. Do you think that her book would be as important once she’d been at Moon Shadow for a while? Maybe it won't be but we hope that it would. The book was a great example of her persistence towards achieving a goal. If her goals change, perhaps her book could ‘morph’ into something else too. Her persistence was an excellent quality and we wouldn't want it to change.

Do you have a goal or goals that you’d like to pay more attention to? Here is a way to make your very own vision book or board:

To make your vision book, you’ll need:
Notebook (use poster board or foam core for a vision board)
Magazines
Newspapers
Scissors
Glue or double-stick tape
Pens, pencils, crayons

1. Pick a theme – ours was cooking but yours could be anything. (Note: A theme is just a suggestion. This is your book, it can be just a general gathering of hopes or desires.)
2. Choose a notebook - maybe one that has a nice design on the cover or one that has special meaning to you.

3. Go through magazines, newspapers, and cut out pictures, titles, words etc. that are pertinent to your theme. You can also print photos and titles from the Internet.

4. Make a collage by placing these pictures on pages in your book (or on your poster board). You can also write notes or affirmations in and around these pictures.

5. Keep your book with you - you never know when inspiration will strike. Keep adding pictures, quotes and handwritten messages. Before you know it, your book will be full of inspiration. And if life throws you a curve ball, remember goals can evolve just as people evolve. Let your “Book” grow with you. (If you’re using a vision board, these same thoughts apply. Keep your board in view and try to look at it at least once every day. Update it as your goals and dreams come true.)

Cookie Recipes - Nutty Crescents

These were the first cookies we thought of when we started planning a CookieBooky meeting for Every Soul A Star. First we thought of the moon shape of these crescent cookies. Also Nutty Crescents are very much like some of the characters in the book - they are enjoyably nutty but sweet and wonderful, as well.

Nutty Crescents are easy to make:

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c. butter (salted)
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1/2 c. pecans (chopped fine)
powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Image 1 Image 2

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment (if you smear a bit of butter on the pan it will hold the parchment better.) In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar. Mix until fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Slowly add flour, mixing until a dough forms (see Image 1). Add pecans and mix until they are thoroughly combined. Scoop dough in heaping teaspoons (see Image 2). Form into log, then turn edges down in crescent shape. Place cookies on parchment-prepared pan. Bake at 325 for 20 - 25 minutes. When the cookies are light brown on bottom and look 'set', they are done. Let cool on cooling rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Makes 18 cookies.