The Wise Owl Tween Book Club meets every month to discuss a book! The first 10 readers who register will receive a copy of the book to keep, limited to one copy per household. To make the most out of our book club, please finish reading the book by the time of our discussion.

We will be meeting in person in the Balboa Room at Central Library, with an option to Zoom in from home.

Our book this month is to be announced!

The book is available to check out from the library here.

Newbery Honor Book

New York Times Bestseller

Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner

This impassioned, uplifting, and virtuosic tour de force from a treasured storyteller follows three children, in three different times and places, whose lives mysteriously intersect.

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.

Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.

Richly imagined and masterfully crafted, Echo pushes the boundaries of genre, form, and storytelling innovation to create a wholly original novel that will resound in your heart long after the last note has been struck.

Thank you so much to the Friends of the Children's Library for sponsoring events like these to help us bring more fun programs to our readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still sign up even though all the copies of the books have been given out?

Yes! Our budget allows us to provide copies of the book to the first 10 registrants, but anyone is welcome to read the book and join us for the discussion in person or on Zoom. You should still register (on the waitlist) so you can receive the Zoom link, reminders, or updates in case changes occur, and to be notified about the next books.

The book is also available to check out from the library here. 

What does it mean to be waitlisted?

That just means you weren't one of the first 15 registrants eligible to receive a free copy of the book, but you are still welcome to join the discussion in person or online! You should still register to receive the meeting link and updates!

When and where are books handed out?

Books are handed out the previous month so readers have plenty of time to read the book in time for the author visit! Registration opens up a few days before the month begins so we can have an idea of interest and demand. Then the books for the next month are usually handed out during the current month's book discussion.

If you are not able to make it to the discussion and need to pick up next month's book, they will be available at the Children's Research and Information Desk at Central Library. Please try to pick up books early enough to give readers enough time to finish reading by our meeting!