Cover to Cover! A Book Club for Grades 2-3

"Odder" by Katherine Applegate

Experience the world from the perspective of a most unusual otter, known to her friends as “the queen of play.” Tonight, we'll discuss Katherine Applegate's award-winning novel-in-verse, "Odder."

"Her mother called her 'Odder' from the moment she was born. Something about the way the little pup never settled, something about the way her eyes were always full of questions."

Join us on April 21 to discuss "Odder" by Katherine Applegate, the Black-Eyed Susan Award winner from 2024-2025 for Best Novel for Grades 3-5. "Odder" is a delightful novel-in-verse told from several perspectives (Odder herself, her mother, her friends, the people who care for her) during three different stages of her life. The book is full of fun, family, a little fear, and a world of wonder with one little sea otter at the center.

You can borrow a copy of "Odder" by Katherine Applegate from the Circulation or Information desks at the Connie Morella Library, along with the specially prepared reading guide. Just ask for the April book for "Cover to Cover!" You can also borrow electronic versions of the novel through the library's free app Libby (or online at mcplmd.overdrive.com) as an e-book or e-audiobook (it is not currently available on Hoopla). If you use an electronic version, please contact librarian Jeff Coster (jeffrey.coster@montgomerycountymd.gov) for a copy of the reading guide prepared specially for our group.

Cover to Cover is a new monthly reading, discussion, and activity group created just for students in 2nd and 3rd grade. Each month, we will read a different chapter book that you can check out ahead of time from the Connie Morella Library (or read or listen to on one of our free e-book apps, if available), along with a specially prepared reading guide to help you get ready for the group's next meeting. At each session, we'll have an icebreaker activity and discuss the plot, characters, topics, settings, and themes of the book in a variety of different ways, from traditional question-and-answer discussion to role plays, think-pair-share, fishbowl, and more to encourage fun interaction among the participants. Then we'll finish with an activity related to the book--for example, a small art or craft project or interactive game--to reinforce the main themes or topics. Books will be chosen from among a variety of genres--adventure, humor, realistic fiction, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery--with a range of diverse characters in a variety of different cultural backgrounds and life circumstances. Many of the books used will be from lists of nominees at the appropriate age-level for honors such as the Maryland Association of School Libraries’ Black-Eyed Susan Award and the Maryland Library Association’s Youth Services Division’s Blue Crab Young Reader Award.

We'll use a range of formats, from a traditional book club, possibly with a shared read-aloud component. Volunteers can practice reading out loud to their peers the first chapter of the next month's book, or perhaps a short story or poems chosen for their suitability. This program is designed to support students transitioning from beginning readers and simple chapter books into the next challenge of longer chapter books with more complex vocabulary, different writing styles, and fewer pictures, but all materials chosen for use will be in the general on-level range for ages 7 to 9. 

Library Program Attendance (both virtual and in the branch) is limited to participants within the suggested age range of the program. Children attending an MCPL program under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults attending a program intended for children must have an accompanying child.

Questions about this program? Contact the Connie Morella Library at 240-777-0970 or librarian Jeff Coster at jeffrey.coster@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

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