May selections for Children's Reading Club: 'The Peanut-Free Cafe' and 'Strider'

One of first lady's selections promotes awareness about the potential seriousness of food allergies         

[May 09, 2007]  CHICAGO -- First lady Patricia Blagojevich has announced the May selections for her Children's Reading Club -- "The Peanut-Free Cafe," by Gloria Koster, and Beverly Cleary's "Strider." Koster's book promotes awareness of the potential seriousness of food allergies. In anticipation of Food Allergy Awareness Week, celebrated nationwide May 13-19, the first lady encouraged parents and children to become better educated on the potentially threatening effects of food allergies.

"Reading is a powerful tool, because it helps broaden people's perspectives on serious problems like food allergies," the first lady said. "'The Peanut-Free Cafe' will teach children who don't have food allergies about ways they can help those who do. Food allergies can cause serious or even deadly reactions in children, and this book provides helpful information for those unfamiliar with the condition."

"The Peanut-Free Cafe" is the Children's Reading Club selection for preschoolers. It is a book about peanut allergies, told from a perspective of a child without allergies. Simon is an elementary school student who loves peanut butter. But then new student Grant comes to school. Grant is allergic to peanut butter and can't even sit near anyone eating it. Simon comes up with a clever idea. The school can have a peanut-free cafe! It will be a fun place to eat and watch movies, where the only admission is a peanut-free lunch. Simon gives up his favorite peanut butter in order to partake in a special lunch routine with his peanut-allergic friend. (Book review previously posted in Lincoln Daily News)

"Strider," a Beverly Cleary book for children at a middle-school reading level, tells a story about an abandoned dog that changes the life of a teenage boy. Strider is a dog that loves to run, and because of Strider, Leigh Botts finds himself running -- well enough to join the school track team. Strider changes Leigh on the inside, too, as he finally begins to accept his parents' divorce and gets to know a redheaded girl he's been admiring. With Strider's help, Leigh finds that the future he once hated to be asked about now holds something he never expected: hope.

Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the 2003 National Medal of Art from the National Endowment of the Arts and the 1984 John Newbery Medal for "Dear Mr. Henshaw." Her "Ramona and Her Father" and "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" were named 1978 and 1982 Newbery Honor Books, respectively.

Mrs. Blagojevich began the Children's Reading Club to encourage parents to read with their children. It is a recommended reading list made up of books the first lady and her daughters enjoy at home. The Children's Reading Club applies to all children but specifically targets children between the ages of 7 and 12.

The first lady launched the Children's Reading Club literacy initiative in March of 2005 and has selected books such as "Charlotte's Web," "Harriet the Spy," "The Growing-Up Feet," "Henry Huggins" and "Number the Stars" for the recommended list. Each month's book selection is featured at www.illinois.gov/firstlady. The first lady hopes the recommended list will enable parents to find books the whole family can enjoy.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]