FARMINGTON – Award-winning and internationally-known author Cynthia Lord joined Mt. Blue Middle School’s Teen Voices Book Club recently for their monthly dinner and book discussion.
The book club, a mentoring partnership between the middle school and the University of Maine at Farmington, had read Lord’s first novel, Rules, and was eager to hear about Lord’s experience as an author. Lord gave writing tips to the 19 middle school girls and their college mentors and fielded questions for over half an hour.
“I’m impressed that there are so many girls here who want to be writers,” Lord said.
Other guests at the meeting included RSU 9 teacher Andrea Kierstead and Judy Upham, a member of the Tyngtown Club of Wilton, one of the many service organizations that generously donates money to Teen
Voices.
The book club started at the middle school four years ago. The seventh- and eighth-grade girls are matched with UMF student mentors. Students are given novels, often with strong female protagonists, and gather once a month at UMF’s North Dining Hall for dinner, games, activities and book discussion.
“I look forward to Teen Voices every month,” said one eager eighth grader. “I love eating in the college cafeteria and all
of the games and activities are so much fun!”
Throughout the year the club also participates in a community service project, attends a cultural event, and has a fundraiser to pay for their meals. Money for novels comes from grants and donations.
The Teen Voices advisory board members include Pam Bean, Kim Fast, Danielle Geurrette, Barbara Leopold, Pauline Rodrigue and Kirsten Swan.
Teen Voices was a great Idea, I enjoyed it so much last year and the year before….