Conversations Presents 20 Must-Read Books For Young Readers

by Cyrus Webb (appears in the May/June Issue of Conversations Magazine)

When it comes to books for children and young readers, Conversations and company Shadow Play Entertainment are committed to celebrate titles that both entertain as well as inform. As summer approaches, this issue seemed as good of a time as any to recognize some of the books we have enjoyed and recommend as well as the authors and publishers that made them possible.

These are what we consider must-reads, and it is our hope that you will give them some consideration as you make plans for this summer's "To Do" list (Listed in no particular order):

* "Let's Get Ready For First Grade!" by Stacey Kannenberg (Cedar Valley Publishing)
* "Ella B. Jenkins Meets President Barack Obama" by Eve Lynne and Desiree Thomas Gordy (Robijo Publishing)
* "Too Tall Alice" by Barbara Worton (Great Little Books, LLC)
* "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters" by Barack Obama (Alfred A. Knopf)
* "Mr. Browne and the Rose Show" by M. Beatryce Shaw (Schooner Publications)
* "The Chip: A 21st Century Superhero" by George Jack (Langdon Street Press)
* "Rico The Seagull, Making The Best Out Of A Mess" by April Mahoney (A Good Person Publishing)
* "Color Struck" by Pamela & Joel Tuck (Joechel Books)
* "The Rivalry" by John Feinstein (Alfred A. Knopf)
* "Louisa" by Richard Emmel (Parson Place Press)
* "Be Real And Great Now" by Zenaida Roy-Almario (BRAGN)
* "Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox" by Tim Ostermeyer (Synergy Books)
* "The Sons Of Liberty" by Alexander Lagos and Joseph Lagos (Random House)
* "Hairy Harry" by Debra Christenson (Publish America)
* "The Skinny On Bullying" by Mike Cassidy (Rand Media Co.)
* "Before There Was Mozart" by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome (Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House)
* "The Fenway Foul-Up" by David A. Kelly (Stepping Stones Books/Random House)
* "Trouble In Troublesome Creek" by Nancy Kelly Allen (Red Rock Press)
* "The Young Professionals" by Models For Success (Rathsi Publishing)
* "Miracle In Sumatra: The Story Of Gutsy Gus" by Jeanne McNaney (Ovation Books)-

Already enjoyed some of the titles we have listed? Share your thoughts on www.conversationsmag.com and www.amazon.com. Know of some great books that didn't make our list? Let us know of those as well! You can also contact me directly at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Looking for some great adult books to add to your collection? You can find selections by visiting www.thebestbookclub.info. CONVERSATIONS: Feeding Your Love Of Life.
Get your May/June issue of Conversations Magazine by clicking here!

Conversations and Author Jerome Cooper: Mission Accomplished!

Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club would like to thank everyone who made the first booksigning for Mississippi author Jerome Cooper a success.

Hosted by Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb, the event took place on Thurs. April 28, 2011 at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS), and Cooper got the opportunity to share the premise of his book as well as interact with patrons.




Find out more information about the author and the book, visit http://tinyurl.com/adualblessing. To see what is next for Conversations Book Club, visit www.thebestbookclub.info or contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

CONVERSATIONS: Feeding your love of life!

(Thurs. April 28th) Conversations Hosts Author Jerome Cooper

Conversations Book Club is pleased to invite you to an event taking place in Pearl, MS on Thurs. April 28, 2011 geared towards promoting reading and supporting Mississippi authors. It will take place at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) from 4-5:30p.m. featuring Jerome Cooper, author of the book A DUAL BLESSING.

This event is free and open to the public, however, the author will have their book available for purchasing. For more information on this event, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

Author M. Beatryce Shaw's Visit To Mississippi: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

On Friday, March 25, 2011 children's book author M. Beatryce Shaw made her first trip to Mississippi from South Carolina to share the message of acceptance that is contained in the first two books of her Mr. Browne series. The result? Residents of the Magnolia State in Jackson, Pearl and Brandon were given the opportunity to meet the author, hear the story behind the books and share in the success of her visit.



The day began at Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS where Shaw, accompanied by Conversations Book Club President Cyrus Webb of Mississippi and Harold Utley of South Carolina, was able to meet with patrons and discuss her books with them. The staff, led by Mara Villa, graciously welcomed the author and made her feel at home in her first stop in the Magnolia State.


From there it was on to G. N. Smith Elementary School in Jackson, MS where Principal Mathis Sheriff invited the author to share with the 4th grade students about what led her to writing and what encouragement she had for them in their own lives.


After a quick break, Shaw was on to Brandon, MS where she was welcomed at Visions Daycare by Ms. Bobbie Courtney. There the author once again shared the message of her books and Webb read her first book Mr. Browne's Roses to the kids.


The final stop of the day was at Appetizers Restaurant, a regular meeting place for Conversations Book Club. There members of the book club and patrons were able to meet the author and discuss what was next for her.

To find out more information about author M. Beatryce Shaw and her books, visit www.schoonerpublications.com. To keep in touch with Conversations Book Club, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

(March 25-26, 2011) Mississippi Welcomes Author M. Beatryce Shaw

(March 25-26, 2011) Conversations Book Club and its partners welcome children's book author M. Beatryce Shaw to Mississippi. She will be signing her books MR. BROWNE'S ROSES and MR. BROWNE AND THE ROSE SHOW which deal with early childhood color awareness and dealing with individuals with disabilities.

"We are excited about Beatryce being with us," says Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Book Club. "Her books give our children and us adults messages that we have to deal with on a daily basis."

Below is her public schedule:

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011
* 1-3p.m., Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS)
* 4-6p.m., Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E * Pearl, MS)

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011
* 9:30-11a.m., Breakfast with Books (Subway Restaurant * 112 Service Drive * Brandon, MS)
* 1-3p.m., Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS)
* 6-7:30p.m., Appetizers Restaurant (3000 Hwy 80 E * Pearl, MS)

For more information about Shaw and her books, visit www.schoonerpublications.com. To find out more information about the schedule and Conversations Book Club, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

EXCLUSIVE: Our interview with Reiko Brown, author of Product of My Environment

(Sat. March 12th) Conversations Book Club Welcomes Author Jennifer Luc kett

Join Jennifer Luckett, author of Caught in the Middle*, as she visits Pearl, MS with Conversations Book Club on Saturday, March 12th.

The first will be at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, MS) from 1p.m.-3p.m. in the lobby. Then at 6p.m., Appetizers Restaurant (3000 HWY 80E, Pearl, MS) for a book discussion with book club members and others.

Books will be available for purchasing, however, admission is free. For more information, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

*     Luckett's book CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE has been selected as one of the selections for the Best of Mississippi Book Club as well. For details visit http://www.best-of-ms.com.