MCPS Book of the Month Club
Dear Families,
We are excited to announce our Book of the Month Club, a school-wide reading initiative for ALL grade levels. Here’s how you and your child can get involved:
How It Works
Monthly Books: Each month, we will highlight a new children’s book. Your child can read it on their own, with friends, or together with you.
Reading Options: You can check out a limited number of copies from the school library or access the book in various ways:
Visit the public library
Purchase a copy from Amazon or a local bookstore
Download an electronic copy to a table or a device
Download an audio version to listen to
Brag Tags
Participation: Students can read all 7 books (November-May) or just the ones that interest them. Books will span different genres and formats, including fiction, nonfiction, shorter chapter books, picture books, and graphic novels.
Earn Rewards: For each book read (November through May), students will earn a special commemorative brag tag.
Monthly Gatherings
Events: Each month, we will host a special gathering for students who have read the book. The event will include activities, discussions, a treat, and the distribution of brag tags.
Reading Required: By signing up, you are committing to completely read the book by the meeting date. If your child has not read the book by the meeting date, they should not attend the meeting. Email amanda.mccall@carteretk12.org if your child will no longer attend due to incompletion of required reading.
RSVP:
RSVP: To attend the meeting, parents or guardians must complete the Google Form. Scan the QR code to the right to access the form. Students not listed on the form will not be allowed to attend.
Sincerely,
Amanda McCall, School Librarian
Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo
Publication Information:
Author/Illustrator: Kate Dicamillo/Carmen Mok
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: April 30, 2024
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2279-1
Suggested Reading Age:
Ages: 5-9 years (early chapter book)
Grade Level: K-3rd
Journal Reviews and Praise:
Kirkus Reviews: “A simple tale about looking beneath surfaces that’s as sweet as butterscotch candy.”
School Library Journal: “Rat Orris lives alone in his barn; then Timble the owl gets stuck in a trap, and a new friendship is born from Orris’s reluctant decision to free him. This lushly illustrated story tenderly depicts the warmth of connection and doing the right thing even when it’s scary”
Publishers Weekly: “DiCamillo expertly wraps humor, kindness, the courage that purpose ignites, and a love of story into a concise, welcoming package.”
Awards and Accolades:
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award: Nominated
Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award: Honor Book
Bank Street College of Education: Best Children's Books of the Year 2025
OTTER Award: Nominated for 2026
Book Synopsis:
The spirits of Frog and Toad are alive and well in this moving and funny first volume in an early reader trilogy by DiCamillo (Ferris), which chronicles the unlikely blossoming friendship between a cynical rat and a curious, naive owl. Orris the rat is perfectly content living safe and alone in his cozy barn nest where a treasured sardine can advertises, “Make the good and noble choice!!” But Orris’s peace is shattered when a fluffy white owl with shiny yellow eyes gets caught in a barn-floor mousetrap and screeches for help. Conflicted about aiding his natural predator, Orris grudgingly (“For the love of Pete”) heeds the sardine can’s motto and embarks on a heart-pounding quest to free the ensnared owl, Timble. Orris is not only a doer of good deeds, he’s a gifted storyteller to boot, and both protagonists learn to trust in the easy rhythm and happy feelings brought about by sharing tales with a friend.