Summer Reading for 5th Graders and Up

I'm half way through the GIRL WHO COULD FLY by victoria forester, and I think I'll be recommending this book when I get to the end.  Here's what Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga author) wrote as a review:
"It's the oddest/sweetest mix of Little House on the Prairie and X-Men.  I was smiling the whole time (except for the part where I cried).  Prepare to have your heart warmed."  How can you resist reading it.  I'll let you know if you should in a couple weeks.

The Wilder Life

Here's a book that I'm interested in reading.
The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, nonfiction

Like many women, McClure grew up loving the Little House on the Prairie books.  In adulthood, her adoration blossomed into all-out obsession.  This book details her often comical quest to connect with the spirit of Laura Ingalls Wilder as she travels to the author's homesteads and tackles pioneer tasks like churning butter.  By journey's end, she's discovered the authentic beauty in Wilder's far-from-storybook real life.

Wouldn't it be fun to go on a book club field trip to the author's homesteads.  I think there's a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum somewhere close to the banks of Plum Creek in Minnesota.  We could stop and pick up LuRene.  Our trip might be comical too, but with all the pioneer stock in our book club, we wouldn't find churning butter all that hard.

Three Cups of Tea Update

Some of you probably read the article in the Statesman on Saturday, May 7th.  I found it irritating.  Here it is in part:

Two Montana legislators sue Three Cups of Tea author.  They claim they were duped into buying the best-selling book and donating to his charity based on lies.  The complaint, which tells only one side of a legal argument, alleges Mortenson and CAI (Central Asia Institute) induced state Rep. Michele Reinhart of Missoula to buy the book and Rep. Jean Price of Great Falls to donate to the charity.  Reinhart and Price claim Mortenson and the charity engaged in fraud, deceit, breach of contract and recketeering under a statute normally used for prosecuting mobsters.

The Democratic legislators are seeking class-action status, saying the lawsuit potentially could be joined by millions of people who bought Mortenson's books, heard his speeches or donated to his charity.

Reinhart heard Mortenson speak at the University of Montana in 2007 and bought Three Cups of Tea in 2009.  Price heard a presentation by Mortenson or CAI in Great Falls in 2009 and made a donation "relying on the truthfulness of his statements," according to the complaint.

Not only am I irritated, but I think Montana may have legislators that are even lamer than some of ours.  I'm just saying.