Ravenmaster's Secret by Elvira Woodruff

Article posted October 22, 2007 at 09:00 PM GMT0 • Reads 67

Overview:

They were eleven years old. The year was 1735. She was the enemy, a young Scottish prisoner. He was her jailer, the Ravenmaster's son. Escape was all but impossible. Or was it?

Come see for yourself as you cross the drawbridge of time into England's most fortified castle: the Tower of London. A place were terror, not comfort, ruled the day. And a place where friendship could cost children their lives.

Discussion starters:

Forrest's problems with the bullies seemed big to him. But soon he had bigger problems. When he must help Maddie escape to save her life, suddenly the bullies seemed very small. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever had a big problem that suddenly looked small in comparison to something else?

Discuss the scene where Maddy tells Forrest about her father. "T'isn't killing that makes him brave…He loves as fierce as some would hate. T'is love that gives you courage not hate."

Discuss the scene where Forrest asks his father how Henry, the smaller raven, can act so brave with some of the bigger birds. What makes a hero? How was Maddy a hero? How was Ned a Hero? What made Forrest a hero?

Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret

Article posted October 22, 2007 at 09:03 PM GMT0 • Reads 32

Overview:

Kyle thought spending a vacation on the Oregon coast with his family would be great. But one evening while babysitting his younger sister, BeeBee, the worst scenario happens- an earthquake hits. This sets off a chain of reactions that forces Kyle to be braver than he ever imagined! A fire starts in their hotel and the earthquake triggers a tsunami. The giant wave charges straight up the hillside through the woods where the kids are running for their lives.

Discussion starters:

What was the most interesting thing you learned while reading this novel? Do you think novels can sometimes be more valuable for teaching facts than a straight non-fiction narrative? Why?

Even after Kyle saves Daren it does not change his behavior toward him. What gives Kyle the courage to stand up to Daren? What realization does he make about himself? What information does Kyle threaten Daren with for next year at school?

How do you think BeeBee will be changed by the events in the story? Predict what she’ll be doing in five years.

How did your understanding of tsunamis change? What images will stick with you after closing the last page of this novel? Why do some books stay with you while others are forgotten? What will you remember most about this book?

Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen

Article posted October 22, 2007 at 09:03 PM GMT0 • Reads 32

Overview:

Alvin Bixby: Hulking, knuckles of steel, hideous breath, foul temper. Kids call him: Bubba.



Nolan Byrd: Puny, power walker, math genius, can’t keep shoes tied. Kids call him: Nerd.



Bubba has been the bane of Nolan’s existence for five long years. So when Mr. Green asks the class to become reporters, Nolan decides he’ll write an exposé—on Bubba. He doesn’t want to sign his name to it (that’d be suicidal), so Nolan creates a secret identity for himself—on the Internet. He launches Shredderman.com as a place where truth and justice prevail—and bullies get what’s coming to them.

Discussion starters:

Did you ever feel bad for Bubb? Why do you think Bubba is mean? Is anyone born bad?



Why didn’t Nolan ever fight back earlier? Why didn’t the other kids fight back?



Was it easier for Nolan to stand up to Bubba when he was a secret identity/anonymous/Shredderman? Why was it easier?

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Article posted October 22, 2007 at 09:05 PM GMT0 • Reads 32

Overview:

Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. They’ve always done projects together, and they work well as a team. This time, though, they’re having trouble coming up with just the right plan. Then Julia’s mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea. Patrick thinks it’s a great idea. Of course there are obstacles - for example, where will they get mulberry leaves, the only thing silkworms eat?—but nothing they can’t handle.

Julia isn’t so sure. The club where kids do their projects is all about traditional American stuff, and raising silkworms just doesn’t fit in. Moreover, the author, Ms. Park, seems determined to make Julia’s life as complicated as possible, no matter how hard Julia tries to talk her out of it.



Discussion starters:

When you first meet Julia and Kenny, how would you describe their relationship? How did their behavior change over the course of the story? How does Patrick’s presence influence them? How would you describe your relationship with your siblings?



In what ways does Julia’s Korean heritage affect her? How does it affect her friendship with Patrick?

How did Mrs. Song’s behavior toward Mr. Dixon make you feel?



How did the dialogue between Ms. Park and Julia affect the story? Did you enjoy the writer’s style?

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Article posted October 22, 2007 at 09:06 PM GMT0 • Reads 32

Overview:

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. Percy's mom decides it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.



Discussion starters:



Percy says, "Mr. Brunner expected me to be as good as everybody else, despite the fact I had dyslexia and I had never made above a C- in my life. No - he didn't expect me to be as good. He expected me to be better." What do you think of Mr. Brunner as a teacher?



After Percy learns he is a half-blood, he wonders who his own father is. He also learns that some half-bloods never find out. How would you feel if you were in Percy's place? Would it be easier to believe your father was dead, or to know that he was alive but not communicating with you?