Cover to Cover!

A Book Club for Grades 2-3

Calling all readers in Grades 2-3: Join Cover to Cover this month as we discuss Mary Pope Osborne's "Dinosaurs Before Dark," the 1st book in the Magic Tree House series, in 2 different formats!

Have you ever been in the Magic Tree House??? Come join Cover to Cover!, a book club for students in Grades 2-3 (or reading at the equivalent level), and meet brother and sister, Jack and Annie, in their first adventure as they go waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy back in time after they discover the Magic Tree House. We'll read, compare, and talk about "Dinosaurs Before Dark" by Mary Pope Osborne in two different formats: the original chapter book (first published in 1992) and a more recent graphic novel version. You can borrow copies of the books from the Connie Morella Library; just ask at either the Circulation Desk or Information Desk for the two books for the September 15 meeting of Cover to Cover, which will come with a reading guide put together by the staff especially for this club. You can also access the books through the library's subscription to the Libby app or mcplmd.overdrive.com: the chapter book either as a stand-alone ebook; an ebook bundled with the accompanying Fact Tracker; a stand-alone e-audiobook; an e-audiobook bundled with the other first 8 Magic Tree House series titles; or a special "read-and-listen" edition; and/or the graphic novel as an ebook. The accompanying "Fact Tracker: Dinosaurs" (also known as "The Magic Tree House Research Guide #1") is a nonfiction supplementary reference book with information about dinosaurs and fossils and can be accessed as an ebook, or placed on hold for pickup at any Montgomery County Public Library as a book or graphic novel.

Cover to Cover is a monthly reading, discussion, and activity group, starting its second school year, created for students in 2nd and 3rd grade (or students reading at the equivalent level). 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

To request an accommodation, contact the library branch where you want the accommodation. If they are unable to help, or if you need an accommodation for an online resource or event, complete our Accommodation Request Form online or call Library Administration at 240-777-0002.

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