Mondays with the LUNCH BUNCH

This summer, 2010, The Lunch Bunch is meeting on Mondays at Berwyn Public Library. The kids bring their lunches while I read a wonderfully exciting book called Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson. For those of you who cannot join us, here is a brief blurb about the book:

Tom Hammond, 11, and his mother, Elizabeth live near Leepike Ridge, a steep mountainous area surrounded by water where a supposed treasure is buried somewhere underneath. This buried treasure is a tale of lore and mystery. Tom and his mom are on their own, since Tom's dad died in a tragic accident. One night, when Tom can't sleep, he drifts off on a Styrofoam packing material and is dragged underneath this mysterious mountain. What he finds there surprises and scares him. A weak, scrawny man named Reg is living in these caves underneath the ridge. He tells Tom his story of desperately trying to find this treasure and being stuck there for three years. Little do Tom and Reg realize at first that both of their stories are intertwined. Eventually, they draw strength from one another and try to claw their way out of this maze of caves.

An adventure story which will leave readers on the edge of their seats. As Tom and Reg are desperate to find the way out, they do indeed find a treasure, but not at all what they expected it to be. And, in the meantime a band of murderous thugs are threatening Elizabeth Hammond and her curmudgeonly, old neighbor, Nestor. They are sniffing around trying to get at the treasure that they feel certain is underneath the ridge. The ending will shock and delight you.

I am both proud and pleased of my group of Lunch Bunch participants. They are listening, synthesizing, and forming predictions with each session. What a great group of kids! With every start of the session, we all recap what has happened previously in the story...and then we move onto the next installment which I read aloud while they enjoy their lunch. Not only are they hearing a terrific story, but they are sharpening their listening skills each week. I can't think of a more satisfying way to spend my lunch time at the library!