June 14: Third Grade Book Club Discusses “The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp”

The Library’s new Third Grade Book Club will discuss The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt at its June meeting, which will be held on Thursday, the 14th from 4 – 5 p.m. Parents of interested third graders can register their children by calling the Library at (914) 738-1234. Copies of each month’s book club selection will be available at the circulation desk for those eager to join.

Leading the club is long-time Pelham resident Margo Hastings, who recently retired from her job as school librarian at The Mandell School on the Upper West Side, following similar roles over the years at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich and at F.E. Bellows Elementary School in Rye Neck.

In this new role, Hastings is drawing on her experience facilitating other children’s book clubs and also helping manage an intramural Battle of the Books competition. Hastings said the book club is “meant to be kind of a casual thing and the kids always drive the conversation,” Hastings is particularly excited about the prospect of finding books that will get everyone reading – including reluctant readers.

June’s novel features two raccoons who live in an abandoned DeSoto automobile and solve a local town mystery. It also includes humans, wild hogs, and the Sugar Man, a Big Foot-type character who has just awakened from a 60-year sleep. According to a review in The New York Times:  “Librarians often say that every book is not for every child, but The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp is.”

If you’re a third grader – or the parent of one – make sure to sign up for this casual, fun library program. It’s a chance to read and talk about some great books and meet some new friends in the process.