Wednesday, December 10, 2014

December Grades 5-6 Book Club: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

For the December Grades 5-6 Book Club, we read the book The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Courtney, Izzie, Izzie, Rileigh, Kelsey, Laurel, Harry, Cecilia, Olivia, and Evan were present. Here's a little of what we discussed.


Melvin teaches Ellie about the possible. What things would you want to make possible? 
 -I want to save polar bears from melting. I don't want them to drown.
-China closes its factories since there is so much pollution. Really bad air pollution. If you blow your nose after working in a factory, the Kleenex will be covered in black.
-I would make a cure for cancer.
-I would save the world. 
-I want to end world hunger.
-I would save the trees for the oxygen. By saving the trees, you would also save people from world hunger because food grows on trees. You wouldn't have fruit that grows on trees.
-I want extinct animals to come back. 
-I would want to solve a problem for digital books. There would be a special tablet that you would get, read and then reach your hand into the tablet and then pull the thing out. It could be anything.
-Find aliens.
-Faster than light travel. Explore space. Find aliens that have been hiding for years.
-A cure for sick animals so that cats, dogs and fish can tell you what is wrong with them.
-A cure for Ebola.
-Stop homework. Save the kids.
-If you have a pet, it would never die.
-Time travel.
-Save the endangered animals.
-Stop water pollution.
-Find something that you can spray on your socks and make them not stinky.
 

Would you want to stay young forever? Would you want to stay one age forever? Why or why not?

-I would not want to stay one age forever or stay young forever. There is no point in that. Everyone has to die. It is defying the circle of life.
-Reincarnation would not happen.
-I wouldn't because it would be endless and you might get bored of it.
-I would not want to have eternal youth because you would never grow up and get to boss your kids around.
-I would and would not want to stay young forever. I would be 10 years old for 3 human years and then I'd age.
-I would get older, then younger, then older.
-I wouldn't want to do that because I would live my life over and over again so it would be really confusing. 
-I wouldn't want to be young forever. Then I would never have a family and boss people around.
-I would not like to live forever.
-I would want to age but not die. I want to get older and older but never die. I want the knowledge of age and then go back to 10 years old and then repeat.
-I would like to be able to die at some point if I got really bored with my life. I want to be able to change my physical appearance and age as long as I've already reached that age and appearance.


Melvin is passionate about science, Ellie’s parents about drama, and Brianna about volleyball. Have you found your passion? How do you learn more about it? 

-My passion is books.
-Lacrosse, gymnastics and reading.
-Hugs.
-Art.
-Tennis.
-Working with animals. 
-Baseball.
-Books and being with my friends.
-Reading, writing, drawing and video games.
-My passion is being in the world of fiction in my brain.
-Physical education.
-My passion is hugs and being awesome. And being a fashion designer.
-Taking over the universe with my thumb.
-Skiing in Colorado.


Ellie learns that not all scientific discoveries are ultimately good, and that Jonas Salk said “Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.”  How can we make sure we are good ancestors?

-You would be a good ancestor by having a good influence on people. By not being a crazy bad person.
-Being weird and being funny.
-Being good to the environment. 
-I would not be a good ancestor because I would take over the world.
-Being good in school, donating things, not being selfish. And being the world's best jug player.
-Have a good reputation.
-To be kind, respectful and awesome to the environment.
-Being an electronic pencil.


For Book Club in January, we will be reading El Deafo by Cece Bell


"Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become "El Deafo, Listener for All." And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she's longed for.

Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, January 14. Books will be available behind the Circulation Desk within the next few days. As always, snacks and good conversation will be provided at Book Club!

January 2015 Recommendations for Grades 5-6 Book Club

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become "El Deafo, Listener for All." And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she's longed for.

Subjects: Graphic Novels; Deaf children; Friendship; School


The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.The girl doesn't remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she's from the Dragonfly Territories and that she's protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home. The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect--everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible. Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.

Subjects: Imaginary places; Adventure


Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner

Goldie, an impulsive and bold twelve-year-old, escapes the oppressive city of Jewel, where children are required to wear guardchains for their protection, and finds refuge in the extraordinary Museum of Dunt, an ever-shifting world where she discovers a useful talent for thievery and mysterious secrets that threaten her city and everyone she loves.


Subjects: Adventure stories; Brigands and robbers; Secrecy; Robbers and outlaws; Fantasy

June Grades 5 & 6 Book Club: Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor

  For June's Book Club, we read the book  Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor   by Ally Carter.  Nicole, Natalie, and Julianna were...