August Grades 5-6 Book Club: Greenglass House by Kate Milford

For August's Book Club, we read Greenglass House by Kate Milford. Those attending were Courtney, Elizabeth, Kelsey and Rileigh.  Here are our thoughts...

If I could be a character from this book it would be:

-I would like to be Addie because she's a ghost. I want to be able to walk through walls.
-I want to be Clem because I love her hair and I want to be a cat burglar.
- Milo beause he is a foundling who knows nothing about himself and is trying to find out everything.
-I would like to be the ghost.
-I want to be a ghost but she has such a sad past.

Talk a little bit about family in this story. Could you relate to Milo at all?:

-I can relate to Owen because he didn't know that he had a family related to the house he went to. Once I met a cousin at a party that I didn't even know I was related to.
-Except for Mr. Vinge, it seemed like all the guests and people living at the inn are one big family. They are one big dysfunctional family.

Do you think that this story happens in our world or another one, one in which smugglers are commonplace?: 


-This probably took place in the 1900's.
-There was no TV or modern electronics.



What did you think of the guests? Were they interesting?:

-Two girls who came to the same place to compete for the same man. A couple of smuggler's from an underground train. A lady who went there for a magic item. 2 men who went for the same treasure. Yes, they are pretty interesting.

What do you think about the ending of the book? Was it a good conclusion to all of the adventures?:

-It was awesome.
-I was surprised that Meddy was a ghost. 
-It was a good conclusion.
-I liked how they outsmarted Mr. Vinge and his cronies. 
-I liked how they gave back Doc Holystone's final cargo.


Do you think that Meddy will visit other places when she's not at Greenglass House or does she just disappear?:

-She'll visit other places and help other kids. 

-I think that Meddy can't really leave the area around Greenglass House because that's where she died and that's where she's buried. She may be trapped there by rules of ghosts.

If you were Milo, would you tell your friends at school about Meddy?:

-No.
-I would wait and see if Meddy came back and showed herself to them. Then he could tell them that she was a ghost and her friend.
-It would be hard to keep the secret but if the subject never came up, I wouldn't say anything.
-I would be scared of being sent to a mental asylum.
 

Did you like the author's style? Did you like the bits of humor? How about the threat of violence at the end?:

-I liked the humor of the ghost face.
-I thought it might be boring. But it ended up being an interesting and captivating book. I liked the author's writing style.

 
What's Milo's/Negret's next adventure going to be?:

-Finding the mystery of the stolen underpants.
-Finding more treasure in the attic. There's a lot of cool stuff there.
-His next campaign mission should be exploring the house and finding out more (not dangerous) secrets about it.
-He should explore the dumbwaiter.


Please rate this book from 1-5, with 5 being the best:

-pi
-4.99999999939999995
-5
-5

The book for the next Book Club meeting is Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. We will be meeting on Wednesday, September 9th at 4:00 p.m. Copies of this book will be available behind the Circulation Desk within the next few days. Please come with recommendations for October's Book Club selection. Thanks!

September Grades 5-6 Book Club Suggestions

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.



The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech

In the little town of Blackbird Tree live two orphan girls: one Naomi Deane, brimming with curiosity, and her best friend, Lizzie Scatterding, who could talk the ears off a cornfield. Naomi has a knack for being around when trouble happens. For she knows all the peculiar people in town--like Crazy Cora and Witch Wiggins and Mr. Farley. But then, one day, a boy drops out of a tree. The strangely charming Finn boy. Then the Dingle Dangle man appears, asking all kinds of questions. Curious surprises are revealed--three locked trunks, a pair of rooks, a crooked bridge, and that boy. Soon Naomi and Lizzie find themselves zooming toward a future neither could ever have imagined. Meanwhile, on a grand estate across the ocean, an old lady whose heart has been deceived concocts a plan. . . .


11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda and Leo, having fallen out on their tenth and not speaking to each other for the last year, prepare to celebrate their eleventh birthday separately but peculiar things begin to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again.

July Grades 5-6 Book Club: The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

 

For July's Book Club, we read The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. Cecilia, Courtney, Kelsey and Rileigh were present. This is what we discussed.


1. Why is Holling convinced Mrs. Baker hates him?

-Because he gets glares like (facial example)
-Instead of making him learn, she makes him clean chalkboard erasers and other tasks like that
-He thinks she is trying to bore him to death


2. Mrs. Baker says that Shakespeare "is never boring to the true soul." What does she mean by that remark...what is a "true soul"?

-A "true soul" is someone who does not have hatred but passion
-I have no idea
-There were a lot of people who were not true souls like Mickey Mantle and Holling's father


3. What is it about Shakespeare that Holling comes to appreciate?

-Throughout the book, he was able to relate to Shakespeare and the characters. The cross-country tryouts were similar to things in Shakespeare
-I think that he was able to appreciate the Shakespearean curses
-As he continues to read, he grows to appreciate more than the curses.He appreciates the stories in the plays.


4. How do the Shakespearean plays Holling reads reflect the events in his life?

-In Hamlet, the Danish prince was trying to find himself. Holling's sister intended to go to California to find herself but only made it to Minneapolis.


Side Notes

-It's funny when Mrs. Baker can't find the word for "buttocks".
-The rats


5. What do you think about Holling's parents? What kind of parents are they? What is uppermost in Mr. Hoodhood's life?

-The dad is hard and the mom is comforting.
-The most important thing in Holling's dad's life is his business
-The dad didn't even really care about Holling being hit by the bus


6. Does the author do a good job of describing the problems faced by seventh graders—friendship, bullying, parents, siblings, teacher expectations?

-Yes because Holling is being bullied by older kids and that's something that happens all the time in real life
-Friendships: I had a friend in kindergarten and now we don't hang out. People change.
-Some people think that one group is more popular than another
-Bullying becomes a real issue, especially in middle school


7. What episodes did you find especially funny? The rats episode, the yellow tights, the cream puffs?

-The yellow tights. 
-The rats meeting their end with the newly elected principal


8. Talk about the line, "when the gods die, they die hard." What symbolic "gods" die for Holling?

-Mickey Mantle
-His dad
-Holling's dad didn't really care that his son was unhappy


9. In what way does Holling grow by the end of the book? What does he learn...how does he change?

-He grows to like Shakespeare
-He thinks that Mrs. Baker only hates his guts sometimes
-He hates his sister at the beginning but then they were friendly at the end


10. Mrs. Baker advises Holling to "Learn everything you can—everything. And then use all that you have learned to be a wise and good man." Does, or will, Holling live up to that advice?

-Yes, because of life
-Yes because of all that he has learned from the book.

For August's Book Club, we will be reading The Greenglass House by Kate Milford. We will be meeting on Wednesday, August 5th at 4:00 p.m.

It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves.

Please be sure to pick up your copy of the book at the Circulation Desk and sign up for the Book Club so that Miss Lisa knows how many snacks to buy!


 

August Grades 5-6 Book Club Suggestions

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Lyson

The Boy on the Wooden Box, is the moving account of a happy childhood shattered by the Holocaust. Leyson was fortunate enough to survive, thanks largely to Oskar Schindler. As the youngest member of Schindler’s list, Leyson offers a unique perspective on the man who became his lifelong hero and his first-hand account of day-to-day existence in the factory--which did not alleviate the fear or deprivation--and his personal interaction with Schindler is powerful and special. The Boy on the Wooden Box is an important work, helping mature young readers understand the Holocaust through the life of a young person who lived it.

The Greenglass House by Kate Milford

It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves.

 

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!

June Grades 5-6 Book Club Suggestions

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.

Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

 

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. One of the local teens - just a couple of years older than Rose and Windy - is caught up in something bad... Something life threatening. It's a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.

 

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.

 

 

May Grades 5-6 Book Club: Honey by Sarah Weeks

For May's Book Club, we read Honey by Sarah Weeks. Cece, Courtney, Kelsey and Rileigh were present. This is some of what we discussed.

My favorite character was:

-Melody because she wouldn't stop trying to figure out who Honey was.
-I didn't read the whole book but I liked Bee Bee, because she made her own nail polish.
-I also liked Mo because he's cute.
-My favorite character was Miss McKenna because she's very caring. She was concerned about Melody.

If I could be a character from this book it would be:

-I would be Bee Bee, because she makes her own nail polish.

-I would be Mo because he's a dog and I like dogs.

-I like the name Mo. It sounds funny.

-I would be Mo or Melody.

If I could change one scene in the book, it would be:

-I would change where Melody says to her new teacher that she knew her secret (because she doesn't really know her secret).
-When her dad tells Melody that his girlfriend is Miss McKenna, it would be funny if he said that it was Miss Hogan.
-When her grandfather is smoking in the garage and says he's looking for the hammer.
-I would change when her grandfather made the tuna noodle casserole that made everyone who ate a lot of it sick.

The character I wouldn’t want to mix nail polishes with (I don't really like):

-Miss Hogan. (Melody's mean teacher).

-I wouldn't want to mix nail polishes with Mo because he'd make a mess.

The one character I would want to be happy forever is:

-Mo, because he's a dog and deserves happiness.
-Melody, because her mother died when she was young and the whole book, she thought her dad liked a truly awful person.
-Teeny Nelson because she's an annoying little girl who deserves happiness.
-Melody's mom should be forever happy in Heaven.

Please rate this book from 1-5, with 5 being the best:

-5
-5 billion
-pi x 10
-1

For June's Book Club, we will be reading The Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson.

Thirteen-year-old Finn Whitman and four other young teens have been transformed into holograms to be guides for visitors to Disney World. When Finn is unexpectedly transported to the Magic Kingdom in his hologram form, Wayne, an Imagineer, tells him that he and the other guides must save the park from the scheming witch Maleficent and the Overtakers.

We will be meeting on Wednesday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. Please note that this is the third week of the month. Copies of the book will be available behind the Circulation Desk.