For the February meeting of Book Club, we read Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Cecilia, Isabella and Julia were present for the discussion.
Why has Jess gotten up early every morning during the summer?
-To practice his running so that he can be the fastest boy in 5th grade.
-When Leslie comes to school, Leslie becomes the fastest person in school.
-He also has to milk the cow Bessie and do chores.
-His sisters don't have to do any chores.
-To practice his running so that he can be the fastest boy in 5th grade.
-When Leslie comes to school, Leslie becomes the fastest person in school.
-He also has to milk the cow Bessie and do chores.
-His sisters don't have to do any chores.
What is Jess's favorite teacher Miss Edmunds like? How is she different from the other teachers at Lark Creek Elementary?
-She's a music teacher. She's a hippie.
-Jess has a secret kind of crush on her.
-She compliments everything you do even if you mess up, unlike the other teachers.
-Miss Edmunds doesn't make the students do anything. She wants them to participate and be who they are.
Why does Jess keep his drawing supplies hidden under his mattress? And why doesn't he dare show his drawings to his father?
-So that no one will take them.
-So that his sisters won't tease him.
-May Belle might take them.
-Because the last time he showed him his artwork, his father told him to be a man.
-So that his sisters won't tease him.
-May Belle might take them.
-Because the last time he showed him his artwork, his father told him to be a man.
In the beginning of the story, why doesn't Jess have any friends? Why does he try to avoid Leslie when she first tries to be friendly with him?
-Because he is mad at her for beating him in the race.
-Because he slipped on a banana peel.
-Because he is mad at her for beating him in the race.
-Because he slipped on a banana peel.
During the first week of school, Jess begins to change his mind about getting to know Leslie. Why do you think he changes his mind?
-Because she's nice and he realized she would be a good friend.
-Because she's nice and he realized she would be a good friend.
A couple of months later, Jess comes to feel that "Leslie was more than his friend. She was his other, more exciting self-his way to Terabithia and all the worlds beyond" (p. 46). In your own words, what does this mean?
-It means that she is a really good friend.
-It means that they are closer than even siblings. They are the best of friends.
-It means that it's a special place for them to play and use their imagination.
-It's a place for them to get away from everything. It's a place for them to rule and be the boss and not have their parents boss them around.
-It means that she is a really good friend.
-It means that they are closer than even siblings. They are the best of friends.
-It means that it's a special place for them to play and use their imagination.
-It's a place for them to get away from everything. It's a place for them to rule and be the boss and not have their parents boss them around.
Why do you think kids often make fun of others who are different? Do the students at your school have the same tendency as the students in Jess and Leslie's school?
-Because they are jealous of their personality.
-Kids who bully are often the ones who are unhappy.
-Some kids at our school can be a little bit mean to kids who are different.
Leslie says to Jess, "We need a place. . .just for us. . . It might be a whole secret country, and you and I would be the leaders of it" (p. 39). In your own words, what does Terabithia represent to Jess and Leslie? Why is it so important to them?
-It's their make-believe world of fun and make believe.
At the end of the story, Jess uses wood planks to build a solid bridge to Terabithia. Why do you think he does this? Why does he decide to share Terabithia with May Belle? What does this show us about how he is changing?
-He built the bridge so that new visitors won't fall in. He brought May Belle because he loves his sister.
-He built the bridge to be safe. He built it to allow others to share it.
-He built the bridge so that new visitors won't fall in. He brought May Belle because he loves his sister.
-He built the bridge to be safe. He built it to allow others to share it.
When Jess is overwhelmed with his feelings after Leslie's death, who helps him cope with his loss? How do each of these characters try to help him? Do you think any of them do help Jess cope with Leslie's death?
-At first, Jess was mad at the music teacher because she took Jess away from Leslie on the day of her death. His dad helped him cope. May Belle helped too.
-His dad was really helpful because he knew how much Jess liked to play with Leslie.
-Leslie's mom and dad also helped Jess.
In the past, some people have suggested that this book is inappropriate for children because it describes death, a topic that some children might not be able to handle. In your opinion, is Bridge to Terabithia an appropriate book for kids your age? How might reading about Jess's loss help students who have to face their own losses someday?
-It is an appropriate book. Leslie died in a kid-appropriate way (not a bloody, painful death).
-This book might be the first introduction to death for some people.
-I'm afraid of death so that it scared me at first when I knew that Leslie was going to die. I think it's appropriate for ages 10 and up. It might help kids through their losses but it depends on who they are. Sometimes kids can't understand death. The way they die might also be an
influence as well.
-It is an appropriate book. Leslie died in a kid-appropriate way (not a bloody, painful death).
-This book might be the first introduction to death for some people.
-I'm afraid of death so that it scared me at first when I knew that Leslie was going to die. I think it's appropriate for ages 10 and up. It might help kids through their losses but it depends on who they are. Sometimes kids can't understand death. The way they die might also be an
influence as well.
A suggestion for April: Warriors: Into the Wild
Wednesdays in the Tower (Tuesdays in the Castle is the first)
Wonderstruck
After Happily Ever After
Owl
For the March meeting of Book Club, we will be reading Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. In 1793 Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic. Book Club will be held on March 11 at 3:00 p.m. and, as always, snacks will be served.
