Teen book club visits ‘graveyard’
A teen book club used a take-off from a 1980s pop song for their group name.
(Photo contributed)
The “Too Sexy for our Covers” teen book group will meet Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. at Madison Public Library. “We’re discussing Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Graveyard Book,'” youth services librarian Mandy Pinyan said.
In recent months, the teen group has read and reviewed “Wither” by Lauren DeStefano, “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Into the Woods” by Lyn Gardner and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
“Too Sexy for our Covers” organized one night when Pinyan was helping a teenager find a book and several other teenagers were in the Teen Room. “A few teens chipped in their recommendations, and, before we knew it, it was a gathering. We decided we needed a book club,” Pinyan said.
Then, the new group needed a name. “Someone piped up and said, ‘It’ll need to be a good one, ’cause we’re all too sexy for our covers.’ It was history after that,” she said.
“The Graveyard Book” is Neil Gaiman’s first full-length novel for middle-grade readers since the internationally best selling and universally acclaimed “Coraline.”
The central character, Bod, is the only living resident of a graveyard. “Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians’ time and timely ghostly teachings,” Pinyan said.
The book questions if a boy raised by ghosts can face the wonders and terrors of both the living and dead worlds. Also, he must deal with entities, like ghouls, that aren’t entirely in either world.
Pinyan believes “The Graveyard Book” will enchant and surprise younger readers as “Coraline” did. “Neil Gaiman’s legion of adult fans also will enjoy it.” (neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Graveyard+Book)
Too Sexy for our Covers is accepting new members. To decide the next month’s title, the teenagers put their suggestions ‘in the pot.’ “Everyone has a chance to pick a book they really want to read and discuss,” Pinyan said. She usually serves coffee and snacks at meetings.
For more information, call 256-461-0046 or visit Facebook/MPLYouthServices.
