There's no charge to participate in the club. Simply stop by the Montrose Library and sign up with the names of the adult and child who will be reading, and you'll be able to check out a copy of the book with an extended due date of November 15th. For this first meeting, the cut-off will be 15 parent/child pairs (which will allow each family to borrow one copy of the book). Both child and parent should read "Bud, Not Buddy" by the meeting date. Each can read on their own, or read to each other--whatever works! "This is a great book that people of all ages can enjoy," says Systems Librarian Hilary Caws-Elwitt, "but we're figuring our primary age group is probably around 8-12."

The first meeting will be held in the Children's Room of the Montrose Library (7pm, Nov. 15th) and will be an enjoyable exploration of the book, its characters, and what it's "really about," following a technique developed by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone in their book "Deconstructing Penguins." Parent/child book clubs have become popular recently because they are a fun way to connect more deeply with reading and with each other. Children and adults share their thoughts and opinions and learn from each other--everyone's opinion is valued.