The Wise Owl Tween Book Club meets every month to discuss a book and meet the author! The first 15 readers who register will receive a copy of the book to keep, limited to one copy per household. To make the most out of the author visit, 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 AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE

Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family’s Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY School Library Journal • Booklist • The Horn Book • New York Public Library

Welcome to the Golden Palace!

Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries.For instance:
 

• You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food.
• People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways.
• And the Golden Palace has secrets...

But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers.

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 15 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!