For February's Book Club, we read Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Anthony, JT, Madison, Maida, and Reagan were present. This is some of what we talked about, based on questions from Scholastic.com.
1. How would the story have been different if Nic had given the bulla to Radulf? Do you think Radulf would have kept his promise to bring Nic with him to Rome?
-No
-He brought Livia to Rome so maybe he would have Nic
-Nic wouldn't have any troubles
-It would be a less interesting story
2. After Nic escapes Caesar’s cave, he has the chance to run away, but he doesn’t. Why not? Considering everything that happens to him once he’s recaptured, did he make the right decision?
-He wanted to go back so that he wouldn't leave his sister behind
-He really wanted to eat strawberries
-I guess so because he cares about Livia
3. The power structure in Rome plays an important part in the story. Consider how much power the Senators and General Radulf have when compared to Aurelia and Nic. Even Crispus, as the son of a Senator, can do things Nic and Aurelia would never dare do. Do we have similar power structures in our world today – are there some people with more privileges than others?
-The dictator of North Korea has ultimate power
-The slaves have a lot less freedoms than the Romans
4. When Felix ties Nic to the horse then sends him into the arena, he says he is only following orders from the emperor. Is it okay to disobey if someone in authority tells you to do something you know is wrong? Or should we always obey?
-It depends on what the consequences are. It depends on the circumstances. If Felix had disobeyed the emperor, he would have been killed. So it would have been bad for him.
-If you know something is wrong, you should disobey and rebel
5. Why does Aurelia want to bring Nic to Senator Horatio? Should she have told Nic the truth, even if it meant she wouldn’t get her father back?
-She didn't get her father back anyway
-She was wrong for not telling Nic. She was pretty much bringing Nic to his death without him knowing her ulterior motive.
-I feel like the story would have gone differently if Radulf teamed up with Nic to help take over the empire.
6. Why does the emperor believe Nic is a threat to him?
-Because Nic has magic. The emperor does not. Nic's power is a threat.
-Nic's power is destructive. He almost knocked down the ampitheater.
7. A lot of characters are either good people who make some bad choices, or bad characters who make some good choices. Can you give any examples of this?
-Aurelia is a good character who made some bad choices. In the sewers, she tried to kill Nic but other times she made good choices
-Sal was a bad character who made some good choices. He let Nic live even when he was so much trouble in the mines.
-Radulf made some bad choices trying to take down the Empire in vengeance but really he's just sad
8. Nic is really excited to get his first pair of sandals. Why do you think this matters so much to him?
-Because he was a slave and never got the chance to own shoes before
-Clothing can signify who you are in the world
9. Which character do you consider the “worst” villain — Radulf, Horatio, Valerius, or Sal (or someone else)? Why?
-Radulf because he is trying to destroy Rome and he's against the Empire
-The crowd in the ampitheater because they are supporting the people being killed
-Nero
-Radulf because Horatio is close to joining him but he dies
-Nic is his own worst enemy. If he hadn't run away, nothing would have happened.
10. At the end of the book, Nic no longer has the bulla, and is trapped at General Radulf’s home. What do you think he’ll do next?
-He's going to burn down the house.
-He's going to try to escape.
Rate this book from 1-5
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For March's Book Club, we will be reading Grenade by Alan Gratz.
On April 1, 1945 with the battle of Okinawa beginning, fourteen-year-old native Okinawan Hideki, drafted into the Blood and Iron Student Corps, is handed two grenades and told to go kill American soldiers; small for his age Hideki does not really want to kill anyone, he just wants to find his family, and his struggle across the island will finally bring him face-to-face with Ray, a marine in his very first battle--and the choice he makes then will change his life forever.
We will be meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Please be sure to pick up a copy of the book and to register for Book Club at the Circulation Desk.
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