September Grades 5-6 Book Club: Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

For September's Book Club, we read Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. Andrew, Courtney, Elizabeth, Kelsey, and Rileigh were present.

Gregor’s life isn’t as easy or as happy as it used to be since his father disappeared. How has his life changed? Do you think these challenges in any way prepared him for his quest in the Underland?

-He didn't have his dad to teach him saxophone.
-Losing his father helped prepare him for harder times. When one of the Underlanders gives Gregor his dad's keychain, he was afraid to hope that his dad was still alive.He doesn't want to be let down again.
-I think he never thought realistically.
-Gregor wants to see his father again so much that that helped keep him going during the quest. Once he knew that his dad was alive, he wasn't going to let anything stop him.
-Knowing that his father was still alive gave him hope for the first time.

In the beginning of the story, Gregor believes his father will be back, but he has created a rule for himself that prohibits him from thinking about a future that includes his father. Why? How might this aid him in his quest? Does Gregor ever break his own rule?

-Breaking his own rule is arguable. You could say that he did or didn't break it. 
-He already believed that his father would be back; the Underlanders just helped him build on this belief.
-I think he doesn't want to grieve about his father having disappeared. He didn't want to have to think if what would happen if they found his dad dead.
-Getting into the Underland and finding out about his dad allowed to break his own rule. 
-I think the reason that Gregor made the rule so that he wouldn't have to think of all of the things that he could have been doing with his dad when he was gone. Disappointment could be inevitable.

What are some of the descriptions in the book that show how the Underlanders have adapted to their new environment? How do the adaptations help them survive? What might happen to them if they came back to the Overland?

-They to the rats by always washing themselves so the rats couldn't smell them. 
-You can see every vein in their bodies and they are so pale because there is no light in the Underland. 
-They made the city of Regalia out of things that were found in the Underland. Baths and toilets are made from the water that flows away from the city. 

The Underlanders see Gregor as the great warrior told of in the Prophecy of Gray, and because of that he is to lead the quest to prevent their annihilation. But Gregor sees himself differently—he says to Vikus, “You’ve got the wrong guy. Really, I promise you, I’m not the warrior.” Explain his feelings. Why is Vikus so convinced that Gregor is the right one?

-The prophecy is full of wordplay that can be taken for different meanings. The son of the sun is a big thing to them but no one knows for sure.
-Gregor sees himself as just another kid who has lost a family member. He lives with his mom, sisters and delusional grandma. 

How is Gregor like many soldiers who go off to war? Gregor has many qualities that we associate with the typical American hero. What are they? How are these traits different from those of Luxa and Henry?

-Because Gregor doesn't really believe in himself. He's not accustomed to his surroundings. Everyone else has made peace with who they are. Gregor is slightly insecure.
-Luxe and Henry are sure of themselves, they know who they are. They think very highly of themselves.
-He will do whatever it takes to find his dad and complete his mission. He will do his duty but he's not going to act like a servant to Luxe and Henry.

One of the most interesting characters in the novel is not human, but a rat that Vikus has enlisted to be the guide for the questers. Discuss Ripred’s traits that set him apart from the others, both rats and humans.

-He is sarcastic.
-He is lethal.
-He thinks ahead.
-He knows his facts about the other species who live Underland.

At one point, Ripred says, “Mutual need is a strong bond. Stronger than friendship, stronger than love.” What does he mean by this? In what ways do the various groups have mutual bonds that outweigh friendship and love? Do you think Ripred is wrong?

-Aries broke the bond to save Gregor. He risked being banished in order to be with someone who was good.
-Aries didn't save Henry who turned out to be evil.
-Luxe needs Vikus because she doesn't know how to run a kingdom.

Authors sometimes plant clues in a story to foreshadow future events. Often these clues can be very subtle and hard to pick up on. Look back in the story, and find things that Henry said and did that point to his treachery.

-He tried to kill Ripred even though Vikus trusted him with their lives. 
-If Gregor hadn't woken open, Ripred might be dead.
-The Prophecy of Bane is foretold by Luxe at the end of the book.

At the end of the story, Gregor does not accept Bartholomew of Sandwich’s sword, a gift from Vikus. Why? Even after the quest is over and Gregor has helped the Underlanders avoid annihilation, do you think Gregor thinks of himself as a warrior?

-No, Gregor just helps the Underlanders. He doesn't see himself as a warrior.
-His mom wont' let him have a pocketknife.
-He didn't think about the Prophecy of the Gray. He didn't think that he was responsible for it. He just did what he had to.

Rate this book between 1 and 5 with 5 being the best.

-5.5555
-5.9999
-5
-4
-5
-4 1/2
 
In October, we will be reading by Nightbird by Alice Hoffman . We will be meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at 4:00 p.m. Copies of the book will be available behind the Circulation Desk. Please register for Book Club so that Miss Lisa knows how many snacks to buy!
 
"Twig lives in Sidwell, where people whisper that fairy tales are real. After all, her town is rumored to hide a monster. And two hundred years ago, a witch placed a curse on Twig's family that was meant to last forever. But this summer, everything will change when the red moon rises. It's time to break the spell. What Other Authors Are Saying "I loved Nightbird. Such a clever mix of fantasy and reality; the fantasy is so persuasively meshed with the story that the reader accepts everything. Alice Hoffman enters brilliantly into the twelve-year-old mind and winds her account of a disordered family into the twists and turns of an elegantly crafted narrative in which past and present unite to solve a magically intriguing problem of witches, feathers and owls." -summary
 

October Grades 5-6 Book Club Suggestions

The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein

What if your favorite characters came to life? Billy’s spending the summer in a lakeside cabin that belongs to the mysterious Dr. Libris. But something strange is going on. Besides the security cameras everywhere, there’s Dr. Libris’s private bookcase. Whenever Billy opens the books inside, he can hear sounds coming from the island in the middle of the lake. The clash of swords. The twang of arrows. Sometimes he can even feel the ground shaking. It’s almost as if the stories he’s reading are coming to life! But that’s impossible . . . isn’t it? 

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Twig, aged twelve, is practically ignored by classmates and other residents of Sidwell, Massachusetts, but gets along fine with just her mother and brother, whose presence must be kept secret, until descendants of the witch who cursed her family move in next door and want to be her friends.

Kate Walden Directs: Night of the Zombie Chickens by Julie Mata

Kate Walden wants to be a famous film director. However, she has to deal with her mother's job of raising back yard chickens as well as a best friend who has recently been hanging with the popular girls in school. Without her main actress, and crazy chickens in the way, can she accomplish her movie making dreams?

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!