Wednesday, March 9, 2016

March Grades 5-6 Book Club: Magisterium: The Iron Trial

In March, the Grades 5-6 Book Club read Magisterium: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. Andrew, Courtney, Jared, Kelsey, Owen, Rileigh and Zoe were present. This is what we discussed, based on questions from a Scholastic study guide. 


All his life, Callum has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst — and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. 

1. How is Call’s life at the Magisterium different from his life at home? 

-At home, he is forbidden to use magic but at the Magisterium, he uses magic all the time
-At the Magisterium, Call has friends. At home, he is constantly being made fun of because of his leg.
-At his new school, he is accepted. At his old school, he was the odd man out.
-Where he grew up, no one else did magic.
-He has a life now.


2. How does Call’s relationship with Tamara and Aaron change over time? 

-It changes because at first, Aaron is really nice to Call but he doesn't know why. Tamara is kind of weird to him; she didn't even talk to him. But they eventually start working together.
-At first, Call was suspicious when Aaron was nice to him. Then Aaron was designated the Makkar and Call became his counterweight so their relationship changed.


3. Why does Call take part in the log exercise, despite Master Milagros’ warnings that it is too physically demanding? Have you ever insisted on doing something even though you knew it might not be a good idea? Explain. 

-Call was tired of people telling him that he couldn't do things because of his leg. 
-Call takes part in the exercise because Master Milagros seemed to be feeling sorry for him.
-I agree with everyone about the log exercise.  


4. How is Tamara’s family different from Aaron’s and Call’s families? How does she feel about her family? 

-Tamara's family is different from Aaron and Call's families because her sisters were in the Magisterium.-Tamara's family is different because Call's dad is a weirdo and Aaron doesn't have a family. Tamara lives in a big house because her family is rich.


5. How do you think Call’s friends and Master Rufus would react if they knew Call’s secret?

-Call's friends will wonder why he didn't tell them because they are good friends.
-They will reject him for a little bit but then they will accept him.
-Call's friends would be scared and weird around him because he's the Enemy of Death. 
 

6. How might things have been different if Call had not intercepted the letter and bracelet from Alastair Hunt? 

-I think it would change because Call and Tamara wouldn't know that Alastair and Master Rufus had ties to Constantine Madden.


7. Do Call’s feelings toward the Magisterium change over time or stay the same? Explain. 

-I think that they changed over time because at first he was nervous about the things that his dad had said about magic and the Magisterium. Later, once he had friends and learned some magic, he started to like the Magisterium more.


8. Call wants to tell Master Rufus his secret, but when he tries, the words don’t come out. Have you ever had a hard time telling the truth about something? Can you relate to the way Call felt? 

-I think that Call couldn't say what he wanted to say because they would bind his magic.
-I think that Call had a hard time because he thought that they would get mad at him. He doesn't want to go back home where everything is unmagical. He doesn't want things to go back to the way they were.
-I can relate because sometimes when I do something wrong, I don't want to own up to it. 
 

9. Do you think Call’s fate is predetermined or can he change it? Do you think fate plays a part in your own life? 

-No, you can change your fate. You can work really hard to do something. Fate doesn't change while you change.
-Never tempt the fates while you are being chased by something.
-Fate cannot change.






10. How is this book similar to and different from other fantasy books you have read?

-I think it's like Harry Potter because it has a lot to do with souls and fate. It has a lot to do with The Prophecy. And the horcruxes. Which kind of relates to him being Constantine.
-I think that it's a little bit like Wings of Fire because there is a war of sorts going on.
-I think that it's like the second Percy Jackson series. With amnesia. And prophecies.  


For April's Grades 5-6 Book Club, we will be reading The Dragonet Prophecy: Wings of Fire by Tui Sutherland. 

"Clay has lived his whole life under the mountain. The MudWing dragonet knows war is raging between the dragon tribes in the world outside - a war that he and four other dragonets are destined to end, according to the mysterious prophecy they have been taught. The five "chosen" dragonets were stolen from their homes while they were still in their eggs - and hidden away for years - all to fulfill the prophecy. But not every dragonet wants a destiny. And when danger threatens one of their own, Clay and his friends may choose freedom over fate ... leave the mountain ... and set the dragon world on a course that no one could have predicted." -- Jacket.
We will meet on Wednesday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. Please be sure to register in advance!

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