March Grades 5-6 Book Club: Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

For the March Book Club, we read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Cecilia, Courtney, Isabella, Julia, Kelsey, and Rileigh were present. We used the recommended questions in the back of the book to lead our discussion: 

Much of the first part of the story takes place in the Cook Coffeehouse. Describe the activities that go on there before, during, and after the guests arrive.

-Coffee making
-Sleeping
-Cleaning
-Eat
-Serve food
-Take orders
-Talk
-Tell stories

At the time, no one really knew the true cause of the yellow fever epidemic. What are some of the possible causes suggested by various townspeople and doctors?

-One, the trash pile giving off toxic smells. Two, I thought that the yellow fever transferred from an animal to the humans
-From the heat
-Refugees

Toward the beginning of the story, Matilda wants to go to the market place in town. Why does she want to go there?

-To bump into Nathaniel Benson

Why does Mrs. Cook want Matilda to join her for tea at the Ogilvies'? Why does Matilda agree to join her that afternoon?

-To be nice
-To discuss something important
-Mrs. Cook wants Matilda to marry Collette's brother.
-She agreed to go to get out of her chores.

Throughout the book, Matilda and her mother never say they love each other, yet we know they do. What evidence is there in the story that the two feel deeply for each other?

-Matilda's mother wants her to do well in life
-Mrs. Cook has had a tough life.
-When Mrs. Cook gets sick, Matilda takes care of her and doesn't want to leave her. But her mother forces her to go.

In good times, how are the farmers outside the city dependent on the city dwellers of Philadelphia? How are the city-dwellers dependent on the farmers?

-The farmers are dependent on the city dwellers to buy their food and the city dwellers on dependent on the farmer for bringing them food.

Authors sometimes subject their characters to difficult tasks. What are two tasks Matilda accomplishes?

-She gets over the fever
-She gets over losing her grandfather
-She makes sure that her grandfather's body is taken care of respectfully
-She decides to open the coffeehouse with Eliza

What evidence is there in the story that grandfather enjoyed his earlier years as a soldier?

-He keeps talking about his soldier days
-He dresses like a soldier when he and Mattie leave for the farm

Matilda changes a great deal from the beginning of the novel to the end. Give three specific examples of those changes.

-She's working
-She acts like a big sister to Nell
-She has a thin layer of wanting to do things

During the story, the people of Philadelphia face many dangers, including the risks of disease, starvation, robbery, and assault. Describe a dramatic incident in which Matilda faces one of these dangers and point out the personal qualities that help her survive.

-When they were robbed, she got her grandfather's sword to cut the robber and try to protect her grandfather
-She got the yellow fever but her perserverence helps get her over it. She's stubborn

Based on what you know about Matilda's character and experiences throughout the story, what, to Matilda, would make a perfect day?

-Sleeping in, meeting Nathaniel, not doing chores, eat sweets and visit the waterfront. She would gossip with Eliza.

How would Matilda's life have changed if Mrs. Cook had stayed healthy and remained with her daughter at all times during her story?

-She wouldn't become brave
-She wouldn't have met Nell
-Her mother would have continued to shelter her

Do you think it is fair of the town council of Pembroke to prevent fever victims from escaping the city of Philadelphia and entering their town?

-They should have helped the citizens of Philadelphia
-They could just have the citizens of Pembroke stay inside if they were afraid
-Would Jamestown residents want to risk their lives if they could just close the bridges if there were a similar situation?
-Philadelphia was a major city in which people would be unable to segregate themselves. Jamestown is different.

We will meet on April 8th to discuss The Witch's Boy by Kelly Regan Barnhill.

When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it’s Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.

Meanwhile, across the enchanted forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King, who is haunted by her mother’s last wordsto her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” When Áine’s and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to stop the war that’s about to boil over between their two kingdoms?

As always, snacks will be served. It is expected that kids finish the book before arriving.

April Recommendations for Grades 5-6 Book Club

Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai

A California girl born and raised, Mai can't wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, though, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. Mai's parents think this trip will be a great opportunity for their out-of-touch daughter to learn more about her culture. But to Mai, those are their roots, not her own. Vietnam is hot, smelly, and the last place she wants to be. Besides barely speaking the language, she doesn't know the geography, the local customs, or even her distant relatives. To survive her trip, Mai must find a balance between her two completely different worlds.


Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

When Jack Baker’s father sends him from his home in Kansas to attend a boys’ boarding school in Maine, Jack doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not Early Auden, the strangest of boys. Early keeps to himself, reads the number pi as a story, and refuses to accept truths others take for granted. Jack, feeling lonely and out of place, connects with Early, and the two become friends.

During a break from school, the boys set out for the Appalachian Trail on a quest for a great black bear. As Jack and Early travel deeper into the mountains, they meet peculiar and dangerous characters, and they make some shocking discoveries. But their adventure is only just beginning. Will Jack’s and Early’s friendship last the journey? Can the boys make it home alive?

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.

But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck's about to change. A "word collector," Felicity sees words everywhere---shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog's floppy ears---but Midnight Gulch is the first place she's ever seen the word "home." And then there's Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity's never seen before, words that make Felicity's heart beat a little faster.

Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that's been cast over the town . . . and her mother's broken heart.