June Grades 5-6 Book Club: The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson

In June, we discussed The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson. Cecilia (and Cameron), Courtney, Kelsey, and Rileigh were present. Please find some of the comments about the book below. 

1. Discuss the character traits that allow Finn to assume the role as leader of the DHI (Disney Host Interactive) teen group. During their first meeting, Wayne recognizes Finn’s potential for leadership and shares this with him. In your opinion, what is his motivation in doing so? Do you think Finn is the leader Wayne predicts he will be? Use specific evidence from the story to support your opinion.

-He definitely is the leader. 
-He takes charge.
-He's always suspicious.
-He wants to impress others (he doesn't like to let down his mother).

2. Describe Wayne. Is he an important character? Explain your position. Predict what role he will ultimately have in assisting the DHIs as they fight to defeat the Overtakers.

-He's mysterious and important. He is a very big help to the kids.
-He's a person that works at Disney World. He was a friend of Walt Disney.
-He gives the teens information but doesn't give the whole story. He makes them work for their success.

3. Consider the story’s setting. Does the Disney World location seem fitting? Would the story work as well if the setting were changed? Offer an alternate setting and make a case for why that location would be appropriate for the story.

-The story would not work as well if it weren't in Disney World. 
-Disney Land because it is extremely similar to Disney World.
-No where else would be as fitting because there would be different villains and the story would be completely different.
-They could go to Universal and get chased by Voldemort in the Harry Potter experience. 
-You need someplace that has villains.
-A zoo in which all of the animals turn evil.

4. In your opinion, are there any benefits to becoming a DHI? If so, what might those be? Would you be interested in a similar opportunity? Why or why not?

 -You can walk through walls and I would take the opportunity to become one.
-I would like to walk through walls and scare people out of their pants.
-I would love to have a Fast Pass and all of that behind the scenes access
-I would like to be a DHI because you could scare people and also it would be cool to walk through people and cut the line.
-You can get into animal pens and pet the tigers and other animals. They cannot attack you because you're a hologram.
 
5. The Kingdom Keepers contains a number of characters who exhibit a variety of strengths or skills. In what ways do their personalities complement Finn’s and make the DHI group complete? Who most impresses you with their strength or skill? Explain your choice.

 -Finn rescues people from Space Mountain. It's dark there. And he rescued Maybeck.
-The whole group works together really well.

6. Consider the Overtakers. Why are they so dangerous? How do they use technology against the DHIs? In what ways is this effective? In your opinion, what is their ultimate goal?

-They have an evil witch.
-They use technology to trick the DHIs. 
-The Overtakers want to take over Disney World. That is their goal.
-The Overtakers will overtake. Their name says it all.

7. Disney stories and films are ripe with evil villains. Consider Maleficent. What makes her the ideal villain? Though the novel doesn’t specifically address other villainous characters working in collaboration with her, who else do you predict will be discovered as an Overtaker? In your opinion, what are some reasons the author chose to include these characters?

-She is a horrible witch.
-She's a Disney dementor or Voldemort.
-Cruella de Ville
-Ursulla

8. Using the phrase, “This is a story about . . . ” supply five words to describe The Kingdom Keepers. Explain your choices. 

-Adventurous, magical, powerful, funny, old
-Adventurous, weird, geeky, useful, secretive
-Awesome, crazy, amazing, suspenseful, out of this world
-Awesome, futuristic, super-awesome, weird, adventurous 

On a scale of 1-10, what would you rank this book?

10
9.99523
10
9.999999999999 

In July, we will be reading The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. We will be meeting on July 8th at 3:00 p.m.

"During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker's classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns much of value about the world he lives in."

Please be sure to sign up for Book Club so that Miss Lisa can buy enough snacks!