Jan 8, 2004

Inspired by Oprah, Los Alamitos launches a book club of their own

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Dr. G’s Book Club is officially underway. Inspired in part by Oprah’s successful book club, Los Alamitos’ Principal Dr. Lisa Gonzales decided to start her own book club in an effort to encourage students to read over extended school breaks.

“I wanted to do the book club because it always seemed like Oprah Winfrey has so much fun with hers,” says Gonzales. “I also want kids to know that I’m just as excited about reading as they are. I love having a really good book and probably read 3,000 pages over the holidays.”

Although roughly 400 children signed up to participate in the club, an average of 12 names for each of the three groups were drawn at random and announced prior to the Christmas break. Thanks to the PTA’s support of the new program, the children will all be allowed to keep their books as reward for reading during the holidays.

The featured title for the first grade session, “Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon” tells the tale of Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge, who are best friends. The fourth in the Henry and Mudge series, “Under the Yellow Moon” details their adventures as they play in the autumn leaves, share jack-o'-lanterns, tell spooky ghost stories, and endure a Thanksgiving visit from “obnoxious” Aunt Sally.

The reasons for participating in the book club were as unique as the kids, ranging from Katelyn Kaya’s, “Because it’s with the principal,” to Cynthia Pu’s more profound, “I really wanted to learn new words that I don’t know.”

“I never heard of this one, so I signed up,” admits Gabriel Gonzales. Joshua Viray on the other hand has read several “Henry and Mudge” books and couldn’t wait to read another. Matthew Basanty simply wanted to read a book he hadn’t read before. Regardless of their intentions, all nine members admit to having thoroughly enjoyed the book and shared their favorite parts in a group discussion with Gonzales on Tuesday.

They were also eager to suggest future book club selections including “Frog and Toad,” as well as titles from “The Bailey School Kids” and “The Magic Treehouse” series.

Gonzales will hold two more book club sessions for second and third graders as well as fourth and fifth graders in the coming weeks, featuring titles from the Junie B. Jones and Charlie Bone series. If successful, she plans to continue the club, with the new titles and different students following extended vacations in February and April.

“I was really excited and happy I joined,” admits Ruchi Patel. “I really love books.”