“Books are like puzzles,” write Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. “The author’s ideas are hidden, and it is up to all of us to figure them out.” In this indispensable reading companion, the Goldstones–noted parent-child book club experts–encourage grownups and young readers alike to adopt an approach that will unlock the magic and power of reading. With the Goldstones help, parents can inspire kids’ lifelong love of reading by teaching them how to unlock a book’s hidden meaning. Featuring fun and incisive discussions of numerous children’s classics, this dynamic guide highlights key elements–theme, setting, character, point of view, climax, and conflict–and paves the way for meaningful conversations between parents and children. “Best of all,” the Goldstones note, “you don’t need an advanced degree in English literature or forty hours a week of free time to effectively discuss a book with your child. This isn’t Crime and Punishment, it’s Charlotte’s Web.” Even though many librarians around the country are already running successful book-discussion groups, the Goldstones have mapped out an approach that merits librarians' and teachers' valuable reading time by translating sophisticated concepts into accessible ideas and user-friendly strategies. By turning books into puzzles and suggesting that "the author's ideas are hidden," children are guided to go beneath superficial readings and initial responses to more in-depth discussion. Youngsters are encouraged to express their opinions with a single caveat–"interpretation must be consistent with the facts." The authors recycle traditional literary questions and tools with incredible clarity as they help kids address questions of who the protagonist/antagonist is until, ultimately, they discover what the book is really about. It is a thrilling journey. This wise, insightful book empowers readers, young and old, to engage more deeply with literature and shows with clarity the rewards for doing so. It is also a pleasure to read. –Judith Rovenger, Westchester Library System, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This account of a husband-wife team's experience leading a parent-child book group is not so much a how-to guide as a general description of one approach to multigenerational book discussion. The Goldstones, who are parents themselves, formulated an overarching method for every title that centered on a discussion of the identities of the protagonist and antagonist (which wasn't always as obvious as it seemed), leading members to the book's deeper meanings. Given the dearth of titles on book groups for adults and children, this book covers important ground, even though at times the Goldstones' efforts to lead participants to a predetermined conclusion appear to stymie true give-and-take discussion. Also, while classics certainly deserve a place in a parent-child book group, the emphasis on so many here--including Animal Farm, Charlotte's Web, Call of the Wild , and even Lost Horizon --leaves one wondering why more of the many outstanding examples of recent children's literature weren't represented. Despite these quibbles, anyone organizing an elementary-level parent-child book group will find this volume both useful and inspiring. Laura Tillotson Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved “This insightful book can be immensely helpful as we strive to resurrect literacy among children. With Deconstructing Penguins, kids and their parents can share in the enlightened adventure of active interpretation during reading. As a result, they will become more avid and able interpreters of their own life experiences.” –Mel Levine, M. D., author of A Mind at a Time “Not just the single best book on leading a book discussion group, Deconstructing Penguins is also about how to dig a tunnel into the heart of a book. In my ideal world, every reading teacher would trash that boring classroom text and adopt this book as a curriculum bible.” –Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook “This wonderful, easy-to-read guide will be a tremendous resource for librarians, teachers, and parents who want to help kids experience the joys of children’s literature.” –Sally G. Reed, executive director, Friends of Libraries U.S.A. "Books are like puzzles," write Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. "The author's ideas are hidden, and it is up to all of us to figure them out." In this indispensable reading companion, the Goldstones-noted parent-child book club experts-encourage grownups and young readers alike to adopt an approach that will unlock the magic and power of reading. With the Goldstones help, parents can inspire kids' lifelong love of reading by teaching them how to unlock a book's hidden meaning. Featuring fun and incisive discussions of numerous children's classics, this dynamic guide highlights key elements-theme, setting, character, point of view, climax, and conflict-and paves the way fo