Maybe you can be a famous author or illustrator too

Linda Sue Park's "Project Mulberry" is a book-within-a-book. The main story follows Julia and her friend Patrick in their efforts to complete a winning project for the county fair. Julia's mother, who raised silkworms as a child in Korea, suggests that they raise worms for silk thread that Julia can use for needlework. The friends agree, but obstacles develop when they must find mulberry leaves, the only food silkworms eat. Then Julia and Patrick must decide what to do when they realize that their worms must be destroyed before the silk can be harvested.

Between chapters, Julia complains to the author that events in the book are not to her liking. She has definite ideas about what should happen to her, but the author does not always agree. Young writers will find it exciting to see how the author's and Julia's conflicting feelings pull the story in unexpected directions.

Other great books for budding authors include "Poetry From A to Z: A Guide for Young Writers" by Paul B. Janeczeko; "What Do Authors Do?" by Eileen Christelow; and "Writing Magic" by Gail Carson Levine.

Book club ideas

Turn your book club into a writers' workshop. Publish and illustrate your stories and poems in your own handmade books.

Visit USC's Doheny Memorial Library's "100 Artists' Books" exhibit through May 15 at 3550 Trousdale Parkway, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, (213) 740-2924.

See books artists have created at the Getty website, http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/artist_book.

Meet authors and enjoy special kids' events at the Los Angeles Times' Festival of Books, April 28 and 29 on the UCLA campus. For information go to http://latimes.com/festivalofbooks.

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This is one in a series of stories on book clubs for kids. Look for more ideas every Sunday in Kids' Reading Room. Send your book club ideas to Jo Perry at BookClubFun@aol.com.