My good friend Alda Dobbs has written a wonderful book based on stories her grandmother told her mother, who then told them to Alda. Her grandmother, renamed Petra Luna in this fine historical novel, lived through The Mexican Revolution of 1910, and that event is what brought Alda’s grandmother and her family to the U.S. The stories are told through the eyes of an 11 year old girl.

I chose this book for the first selection for my 5th and 6th Grade Girls’ Book Club which meets at Rae’s Reads, my bookstore in Alvin, Texas. Only two girls came for the “organizational meeting” this past Wednesday, and both were brought by their grandmothers, who stayed in the conversation area of the bookstore and became friends. Both Evey and Ellie said they had a girlfriend who they’d bring this coming Wednesday, and one more grandmother volunteered her granddaughter via Facebook; so, I am expecting five girls this coming week. Evey’s grandmother has volunteered to bring refreshments. I have bought copies for the girls, and I am so hoping they like the book as much as I did. (See a review of the book written some time ago by going to the search box and typing in “The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna.” )

I am also going to recommend that they read Dobbs’ sequel to Petra , The Other Side of the River,

which chronicles her life and adventures once she reaches the U.S.

I’m hoping the girls will want to discuss what they read last week and will spend some time lounging in the bookstore’s children’s room, continuing to read and enjoy refreshments and each other.

Here’s to book clubs, whether you’re a fifth or sixth grader or a seventy-eight year old!