Kidz Corner

Double Digits - FEB - The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan

2011-02-04T13:37:00.001-05:00

Join us for a discussion on Thursday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m.!

The publisher created a fantastic discussion guide.

Told in graphic novel format through stark illustrations and selective wording, Jack Clark shares a short period of his life when he is considered too young to know anything, but old enough to know better. This quick and powerful read is recommended to those of all ages, especially young boys who are struggling to find the power to stand up for themselves, as well as those interested in history. This story shows a fascinating glimmer of life during the Dust Bowl in 1937.

Double Digits - JAN - The Potato Chip Puzzles by Eric Berlin

2011-02-04T13:32:00.000-05:00

When puzzle addict Winston Breen and his best friends head to an all-day puzzle hunt with a $50,000 grand prize, they’re pumped. But the day is not all fun and games: not only do they have a highstrung and highly competitive teacher along for the ride, but the puzzles are hard even for Winston, the other schools’ teams are no joke, and someone in the contest is playing dirty in order to win.

Discover some awesome games, puzzles, and more here: http://www.winstonbreen.com/about_the_book.html!

Double Digits - DEC - Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

2010-12-29T17:22:00.001-05:00

Book Discussion on Thursday, December 30 at 4:00 p.m.!

Thanks again to the librarians at Multnomah County Library for their wonderful discussion guides!

Do you know anyone like Joey? Is there something wrong with him? Is he a bad kid? And is there any hope for him -- in school or at home?

Feel free to leave comments on this post!

food: veggies!
activity: who can sit still the longest?! (just kidding!)

Double Digits - NOV - Calamity Jack by Shannon & Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

2010-11-02T10:46:00.000-04:00

Jack is a self-proclaimed thief and a schemer. Underneath, he truly has a good heart, wanting to undercut the bad guys in order to help make a better life for his mother, but bad luck is always chasing him and his plans never seem to turn out quite as ... well, planned. When he purchases some magic growing beans on the street, plants a giant beanstalk, steals the giant's -- his latest, richest, and most powerful mark yet -- magic goose, he also manages to destroy the tenement where he lives, including his home and his mother's bakery. So as not to wreak any more havoc or cause his mother any more pain, he leaves town ... to the Wild West, where he meets Rapunzel.

Jack has always known that he can't rest until he knows that his mother is taken care of, and he wants to make her proud while also impressing his dear Punzie. But when they return to the city of his birth, he finds that the giants have destroyed everything he's known and loved. With the help of Rapunzel and a couple of other unlikely heroes, Jack seeks to take down the giant ... and win Rapunzel's heart.

To guide this discussion, Shannon Hale's website provides a Teaching Guide with discussion starters and activities.

Double Digits - OCT - Savvy by Ingrid Law

2010-10-27T14:05:00.003-04:00

Book Discussion on Thursday, October 28, 4:00 p.m.!

Mibs can't wait to turn thirteen, the age when all Beaumonts discover their supernatural power -- their savvy. Great discussion questions for this super fun novel can be found through the Penguin Young Readers Group!

Double Digits - JUL - Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

2010-07-01T13:10:00.004-04:00

Book and movie discussion on Thursday, July 29.

The Tale of Despereaux is the 2010 Middle Grade Selection for One Book New Jersey, a fun and exciting program sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association. These discussion questions from Multnomah County Library and more can be found on the OBNJ website!

Describe Despereaux and Roscuro. What is special about their names? What about them is different to other mice or rats, respectively? How is the "normal" mouse or rat supposed to behave?
What happens at the party in the castle and what are the consequences?
What significance does soup have in this book?
The characters in the book all have special dreams that get them into trouble. What are their dreams?
Who was your favorite character and why?
Is there a central thread in the story? Did you like how the four story lines are weaved together?
Is this story a fairy tale? Is there a "Happily ever after" at the end? If so, how does it look like for the different characters?
Miggery Sow and the princess have entirely different lives. How do they differ? What connects them nevertheless?
"Love is powerful, wonderful and ridiculous." Do you agree? How does it affect Despereaux's life?
Discuss the behavior of Despereaux's family throughout the book.
Despereaux decides to go back into the dungeon he had just escaped. Why? What gives him the strength to do so? What helps him find his way?
"Stories are light." Gregory the jailer tells Despereaux. What does this mean to you? Did you find some light in this story?

Snacks: Of course, soup! (i.e. soup with chicken, watercress and garlic). Or try celery (with dips), the threadmaster's favorite food.

Call number: J DICAMILLO (Children's Room)

Double Digits - JUN - Holes by Louis Sachar

2010-07-01T13:05:00.006-04:00

Book and movie discussion was on Thursday, June 24.
From the wonderfully thorough Multnomah County Library:

Why is the book called Holes?
Besides the boys, who else dug holes at Green Lake?
How does digging holes help Zero and Stanley survive?
Was there a hole in Stanley's life when he went to Camp Green Lake? Was it still there when he left? Why or why not?
What "holes" are there in the story for the reader? How are they "filled in"?
Besides the title, the characters' names are also symbolic. Discuss the importance of names in the book. What is the significance of Stanley's name being a palindrome? Talk about the the names in the book, particularly the nicknames given to the boys at Camp Green Lake.
There are many parallels between the different stories told in Holes. Explain the importance of these recurring themes: peaches, onions, lizards, Mary Lou.
Compare the song that appears throughout the book with the version that ends the book. How does the tone and meaning change? How does that reflect the changes that occurred in the book?
Find examples of irony and dark humor in the book.
At the heart of this story is a fable. Discuss the moral of this fable.
Who are the important characters? What does each character represent?

Snacks: Onions? Peaches.

Call number: J SACHAR (Children's Room); YA SACHAR (Teen Room)

Double Digits - MAY - The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

2010-05-26T15:19:00.004-04:00

Book Discussion on May 27, 2010.

Davy tells Zack, "I don't rightly care what people say you. What they say can't make you who you are—'less, of course, your let 'em." (p. 185) Do you agree with Davy's advice? Have you found this advice to be true in your own life?
Davy tells Judy that people shouldn't be "dwellin' on the sad parts of life when you ought to be livin' each day and bein' happy." (p. 202) Do you agree with this advice? Why or why not?
Have you ever been at a crossroads in your life? What choice did you have to make? What was the result?
What characters are at a crossroads in their lives? Explain.
How does Zack change throughout the novel? What inspires him to change?
Contrast Zack's mom with his stepmom.
If you were the Jennings, would you have let Gerda Spratling put a memorial on your property? Why or why not?
Should Sherriff James Jennings have published his report? Why or why not?
Is Davy whom he seems to be? Support your opinion.
Do you feel sorry for Miss Spratling? Why or why not?

Snack ideas: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches; toast

Double Digits 04/29/10

2010-04-29T14:04:00.004-04:00

Discussing Rules by Cynthia Lord on April 29, 2010.

Frustrated at life wtih an autistic brother, 12-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existance, but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic.

What expectations did you have from the book cover?
How does David stand in the way of what Catherine wants for herself? What has she done to try to resolve that?
What are Catherine's strengths and weaknesses and how to those traits help her or hinder her?
If Catherine were to write a rule at the very end of the book, what do you think it would be?
How does art figure into the story? What are some ways that wishing and magic come into play in the story?

Find these are more discussion questions and reading resources at Cynthia Lord's website!

Leave your thoughts and/or questions as a comment on this post!

Double Digits 04/01/10

2010-03-29T13:44:00.004-04:00

Crazy Lady by Janet Leslie Conly.

Discussion on Thursday, April 1, 2010, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (postponed from our regular last-Thursday-of-the-month discussions).

Great summary and discussion questions here: http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0064405710.pdf.
Let the group know what you think by leaving a comment!

DOUBLE DIGITS 02/25/10

2010-02-24T15:38:00.007-05:00

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Book discussion on Thursday, February 25, 2010

Summary from the publisher: As the Revolutionary War begins, 13-year-old Isabel wages her own fight... for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

1 -- What was New York City like in 1776?
2 -- What did you know about slavery during the time of the Revolutionary War? What did you learn from this story?
3 -- How does the title Chains connect to this book? Can you think of any alternative titles that could have been used?
4 -- Have you ever dealt with an older sibling leaving for college or moving out of the house? How do you think this compares to how Ruth and Isabel felt when they were separated?
5 -- Many children have chores to do around the house, but could you imagine doing the things Isabel did!What are your responsibilities around the house? Are they close to the same things Isabel was forced to do?
6 -- What do you think the adults did all day in 1776? Did they work, fight or sit around the house? Is this what your parents do?
7 -- It can be hard to watch your younger (or older!) siblings have it easier than you. What does this feel like to you, and to Isabel?
8 -- Do you think it is fair to ask a twelve-year-old to work as hard as Isabel?
9 -- Living in New York City right at the birth of our country must have been wonderful! How do you think other children reacted when they heard news of the Declaration of Independence? Were they happy to be free, nervous for their family to have to fight or something else? How do you think the slaves felt hearing this news?
10 -- Mattie, from Fever 1793, felt many of the same things as Isabel but almost 20 years later. How do you think these girls were similar? Could they have been friends?
11 -- Did you know that the northern states had slaves? What did it feel like to learn that Isabel was a slave from Rhode Island?
12 -- How did it feel to hear the Locktons lie and pretend to be a Patriots so that they could get past the docks?
13 -- What would you have done when you learned that Elihu Lockton was working for the Loyalists? Do you think Isabel did the right thing?
14 -- Isabel frequently goes to the water pump to get water for cooking and bathing. On one trip, a group of enslaved African Americans are discussing their options for freedom (page 161). Which option would you have taken?
15 -- What did the Grandfather mean at the water pump when he told Isabel to find her River Jordan? Have you heard that phrase anywhere else before?

These questions and further thoughts for discussion are available from the author's website as well as http://www.adlit.org/.

DOUBLE DIGITS 01/28/2010

2010-01-25T16:08:00.000-05:00

Everything for a Dog by Ann M. Martin

Book Discussion on January 28, 2010.

Bone and his sister, Squirrel, are stray dogs born in a shed. Left motherless as puppies, the two dogs survive together for a while, but are soon wrenched apart. Bone doesn’t know if his sister is still alive, and must now go on, alone. Charlie is a boy who has suffered a terrible loss. And, as he’s healing with the help of his dog, another tragedy occurs. Henry’s best friend has moved away. All Henry has wanted is a dog of his own. But his parents won’t let him. Bone, Charlie, and Henry live very different lives, but they are fated to intersect in surprising ways. (From MacMillan Publishers: http://us.macmillan.com/everythingforadog)

Also check out Ann Martin’s A Dog’s Life for Squirrel’s story!

YouTube interview with Ann M. Martin.

Discussion Guide can be found from www.feiwelandfriends.com:

Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

Henry, Bone, and Charlie have different stories, but they also share something in common. How are they similar when it comes to their dreams and hopes? How are they different?

Bone experiences lots of different communities and landscapes; do you think he prefers small towns or the woods? Why?

How does Charlie respond to RJ’s death? What helps him? How does it feel to Charlie to be asked to replace his brother at certain times in the book?

If you were in Charlie’s place, would you want to get another dog after Sunny’s accident? Why or why not?

Henry tries to prove that he is ready to own a dog, but feels his plan is a failure. Do you agree with him?

What does Bone learn about human beings during his adventures?

What did you think about hearing the story from three different points of view? How did it make the story more or less meaningful? Did you anticipate how the stories were connected before you got to the end of the book?

Snack ideas: cookies; dogs love peanutbutter!

Activity ideas: Madlibs; maze or word search (using dog terms)

Junior Book Buddies for 1/7/10

2010-01-07T15:13:00.001-05:00

Junior Book Discussion 1/7/10
“How to Eat Fried Worms” by Thomas Rockwell
Billy, a boy makes a bet, and proves worms can be tasty.

What was the bet?
What kind of worms did Billy agree to eat?
Who were Alan, Joe and Tom?
Ho did Billy prepare for the first worm?
What was the story that Joe told Billy when he was to eat the fourth worm?
What happened when Tom tried to eat a worm?
What did Billy tell his parents at 3:15 a.m. when he woke up in pain?
Are eating worms harmful?
Who is Emily?
What plan does Alan have if he looses the bet?

Something about the Author:

Thomas Rockwell, son of the artist, Norman Rockwell, was born March 13, 1933 in New Rochelle, New York. He attended Princeton University for a short while, then graduated from Bard’s College in 1956.

The book, “How To Eat Fried Worms,” was first published in 1973. It was made into a TV movie in 1985, and then filmed as a theatrical release in 2006. The sequel to this book, is “How to Fight a Girl.” Mr. Rockwell was won many awards for his writings, including the Sequoyah Award for the book, “How To Eat Fried Worms.”

Double Digits Book Discussion 12-17-09 for "Tuck EverLasting" by Natalie Babbitt

2009-12-17T14:56:00.000-05:00

Questions for “Tuck Everlasting,” by Natalie Babbitt

The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing any older

1) Who are the Tucks?

2) Why would Jesse not let Winnie drink from the spring that morning?

3) Why did they bring her back to their homestead?

4) What did Pa Tuck mean when he said the pond’s got answers?

5) Who was the man in the yellow suit and what significance did he play in the story?

6) Why did the man in the yellow suit want Mr. Foster to get the constable?

7) Why didn’t Miles have his family drink from the spring?

8) Why did Winnie want Miles to put the fish back?

9) Why did the Treegap Constable take Mae and Winnie?

10) What was it like for Winnie when she was reunited with her family?

11) Were kidnapping charges made? Why or why not?

12) What was the plan for getting Mae out of jail?

13) Did Winnie ever drink the sping water? Why or why not?

14) What happened in Treegap after the tucks returned?

15) If you had an opportunity like Winnie, would you drink the spring water? Why or why not?

Thursday, December 3, Junior Book Buddies

2009-12-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Junior Book Buddies December 3, 2009
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson
1) Who are the Heardman’s?
2) What is a town bully?
3) What is the "Christmas Story" play?
4) What acting parts are available in the play? Who gets them?
5) Who is the narrator of the story?
6) How do the other children react to the Heardman’s in the play?
7) What kind of gifts did the children bring in the play?
8) Can you come up with a question? If so writeit in the blog!

Something about the author:
Barbara Robinson grew up in a small river town in southern Ohio, called Portsmouth. Her mother, a school teacher for forty nine years in the same town, introduced Barbara to books, which is her great love. Barbara began to write at an early age too. She wrote
poems, plays and stories. She has written many short stories for several magazines, but her favorite writing is writing children’s books, as children are the best audience! She now lives and writes in a suburb of Philadelphia. Check out Barbara Robinson’s webpage at http://usawrites4kids.drury.edu/authors/robinson/

Double Digits, November 19, 2009 The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

2009-11-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods

1) What is a Half Blood??

2) How did Percy Jackson Vaporize his pre Algebra teacher? Why?

3) Do you know someone like the character Nancy Bobofit? What was she like?

4) Who was Mr. Brunner? Before he had known who Mr. Brunner really was, Percy thought Mr. Brunner had radar ears. Why?

5) Why had Percy attended six schools in six years?

6) Who was Grover?

7) What was Percy’s stepfather like? Why did his mother marry him?

8) What is the significance of blue food?

9) What was the “summer camp?”

10) Describe what Capture the Flag is?

11) Who was Luke?

12) Who is Annabeth?

13) What is a Hellhound?

11) How did Zeus’s Lightening bolt get stolen?

12) What was the quest that Percy, Annabeth and Grover were on?

13) What happened in the Underworld?

14) What was Percy’s trip to Mount Olympus like? Why did he go there?

15) The Gods can’t die, can Titans? What happened to Kronos?

16) What was the important choice that Poseidon told Percy he would have to make?

Something about the author:

Rich Riordan was born in San Antonio Texas, on June 5, 1964. He double majored in College, in both History and English from the University of Texas in Austin Texas. He worked as a private and public school teacher for 15 years before he became a writer. Check out his website at: www.rickriordan.com

Double Digits 10/29/09 Book Discussion Questions for "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

2009-10-21T22:17:00.001-04:00

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Harper Collins, 2008.
A toddler, pulling himself out of the crib and into the night, is raised by the ghosts of the cemetery, after the death of his parents.

Questions for the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

1) Who was Bod and what was his real name? How did he get into the graveyard?
2) How did Bod first meet Scarlet? What appended to their relationship?
3) As part of Bod’s instruction, he had to learn the different kinds of people. What are they?
4) What role did Silas have in Bod’s life?
5) Where were Bod’s parents?
6) Who was Miss Lupeseu and what was the relationship between her and Bod?
7) Who were Bod’s teachers and what did they teach?
8) Describe the character Elizabeth Haitch, or better know as Liza.
9) What is the Macabey and why was everyone so secretive about it?
10)What were the jacks of all trades?
11) Why did Bod finally leave the graveyard for good? What happened months prior to that event?

Something about the author:Neil Gaiman was born forty-eight years ago and raised in England. He has been writing books for all ages, and is a renown author of science fiction and fantasy, and comics. He won the Newberry Medal Award for the The Graveyard Book in January 2009, for an outstanding contribution to children’s literature. Neil now resides in Minnesota. To learn more about the author and his writings, please check out his official website at: http://www.neilgaiman.com/

Junior Book Buddies - October 1, 2009

2009-10-01T15:44:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies 10/1/09

I AMBER BROWN by Paula Danziger
Because her divorced parents share joint custody of her, nine-year-old Amber suffers from lack of self-esteem and feels that she is a piece of jointly-owned property.

1) Why was Amber celebrating Hanukah and how did she feel about it?

2) Who was the Brenda the Ambersitter?

3) How did the fact that her mother was so mean to her father affect Amber? Did their relationship change? How?

4) How would you have handled the ear piercing episode? How did Amber handle it before and after her ears were pierced?

5) Why was Amber crying when her Dad showed her his new place?

6) How did Amber become more involved in her Dad’s new home?

7) Why did Amber Brown refer to herself as I Amber Brown?

8) How did Amber handle having two separate families to share her time with?

9) Why did Amber’s dad move to Paris? Why did he move back to New Jersey?

10) Who was Amber’s friend Justin? Who were her new friends?

Something about the author.
Paula Danzinger was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Virginia and New Jersey. She always had an interest in books and writing. She earned a Bachelor‘s degree in English and became an English teacher in a middle school then a guidance counselor for Junior & Senior High as well as College. She had two automobile accidents that prevented her from working. She pursued a Master’s degree in writing and became an author. During her lifetime she wrote over 25 books, and traveled to more than 15 countries, and gave many author talks and visits. She was like the colorful characters in her stories and was admired by all. She died July 8, 2004.

Find out more information about his author at: http://www.scholastic.com/titles/paula/

Junior Book Buddies 9/23/09 "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Clearly

2009-09-24T11:40:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies 9/34/09

Dear Mr. Hensahw by Beverly Cleary.
In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world.

1) Who was Mr. Henshaw?

2) How did Leigh change as he began writing Mr. Henshaw letters?

3)How did Leigh feel about grown-ups? Did he have any friends?

4) If you had to ask an author a question, like Leigh, what would it be?

5) Why did Leigh’s parents divorce? Did they get back together?

6) What was the ping-pinging noise?

7) How does Leigh feel about school? About writing?

8) What tips did the author give Leigh about writing?

9) What are some of Leigh’s wishes? If you could have any wish come true, what would it be?

10) Why and who was stealing food from Leigh’s lunchbox? What did he do about it?

11) What was Leigh’s relationship like with his father?

12) What is a trucker’s life like?

13) How did Leigh and his mother calm themselves down?

14) Why did Leigh have lunch with Angela Badger?

15) Who was Bandit? Did he come back?

16) How can Leigh feel sad and a whole lot better at the same time?

Something about the author:
Born Beverly Bunn in McMinnville, Oregon in 1916, she lived on a farm in Yamhill until she turned six. Her mother acted as the librarian in the small town, having books sent from the State Library. Beverly moved to Portland and attended schools in Oregon and later went to a junior college and then Berkley in California. She continued her education to study librarianship at the University of Washington. She married Clarence Cleary in 1940, and they are parents of grown twin children. Clearly has won awards for many of her books for children. Check out the awards on Beverly Cleary’s website at: http://www.beverlycleary.com

Junior Book Buddies - Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells

2009-09-02T14:33:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies - Please note that the program has been changed from Thursday, September 3, at 2:00 p.m. to Thursday, September 10 at 4:15 p.m.

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells
Abraham Lincoln’s two sons, Willie and Tad, share stories about their life with their father, both as a candidate and as president of the United States.

Questions:
1) What was life like for the Lincolns before Abe became president?
2) Who was Bob and what became of him?
3) How would you describe the relationship of Mary Todd Lincoln and Abe? What was their family like?
4) What was waiting in Chicago on Dearborn Avenue?
5) Why did Abraham Lincoln grow a beard?
6) Who was Governor Chase and what do you think he meant when he said “Children should be seen and not heard?”
7) Who were the rebels and how did Lincoln feel about them? How did their efforts affect the country?
8) How did Tad and Willie feel about the President's house?
9) What is meant by a “black-dog mood?” How did it affect the boys?
10) What happened to Willie? How did that affect the family?
11) Who was General Robert E. Lee and who was Little Napoleon?
12) What were lightning messages?
13) What changes in the course of the Civil War brought victory to the North?
14) With the end of the war, slaves were free. How did they respond to President Lincoln when he went to Virginia?
15) Why did the President not want a big parade down the streets of Richmond?
16) Who was Jefferson Davis?
17) The Union victory came at a price. Why did the President want the band to play “Dixie” after his speech instead of “Glory, Glory Hallelujah?”

About the Book

According to the author, the incidents in this story of Abraham Lincoln and his family are grounded in historical fact. Only the dialog and the particular circumstances of the story are invented.

About the Author

Rosemary Wells has always loved to draw and paint. It wasn’t until her twenties that she first thought about becoming a writer. Check out her website at http://www.rosemarywells.com/

Hotel for Dogs by Lois Duncan 8/27/09

2009-08-27T14:59:00.000-04:00

Double Digits 8/27/09
Hotel for Dogs by Lois Duncan

Questions for "Hotel for Dogs" by Lois Duncan
1) Why did Andi and her brother Bruce have to move?
2) What do you think is the hardest part of moving? Was it hard for Andi and Bruce? Why?
3) What kind of person was Jerry Gordon, and why do you think so?
4) Who is Tim Kelly?
5) Did Andi make any friends?
6) What is Aunt Alice’s personality like?
7) How did Friday get his name?
8) Who is McTavish?
9) Whose idea was it to use the abandoned house? How did the idea change to a room rental for dogs?
10) Who is Preston?
11) What was Andi’s plan in tricking Jerry at midnight with the slide projector? What happened?
12) What happened to reveal the secret of the hotel for dogs?

Junior Book Buddies August 6. 2009

2009-08-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies 8/6/09
The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl -- Angered by a neighboring family's hunting experience, an eight year old girl is enraged and uses her magic finger.

1) Who is the main character of the story?
2) What happens when she see red?
3) Who is Mrs. Winter?
4) Why is the story called, "The Magic Finger?"
5) What happened to the Gregg family?
6) Are Phillip and William still her friends?
7) What did the Gregg's change their name to? ... and why?
8) Who are the Coopers?
9) How did the story end?
10) If you had a magic finger, what would you do?

Double Digits Book Discussion - July 30, 2009

2009-07-30T07:21:00.000-04:00

The Artsy Smartsy Club
by Daniel Pinkwater

Book Discussion on July 30, 2009.

They were on their own – three kids and one giant chicken. Stuck in Hoboken, NJ for the summer, Nick Itch, Loretta Fischetti, and Bruno Ugg are really, really bored. After whiling away their time spitting in the Hudson River and trying to teach Henrietta, Nick's 266-pound chicken, how to juggle marshmallows, they're ready for something – anything – to happen. When a mysterious and brilliant chalk artist starts decorating Hoboken's streets, the three friends are blown away. They set off to explore the art world in a frenzy of adventurous drawing, screeving, and eggplant picnics. (www.harpercollins.com)

Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

Ø What are some things that Nick, Loretta, and Bruno learn about art throughout the book? What do they learn about making art?

Ø What kinds of different types of art are there?

Ø Have you ever been to a museum? Describe your experience. How was it similar to or different from Nick’s trip?

Ø What is a screever? Who is Lucy Casserole and what do you think of her?

Ø Describe some of the other characters in the book? What role does each of them play?

Ø What do you and your friends do during summer vacations? What would you do during vacation with a six-foot chicken to keep you company?

Ø The author alludes to the fact that previous books in the series explain how Henrietta came to be. How do you think she was created? How can you explain her existence?

Ø Do you have a “hangout” where you feel safe? Do you have a place in or around your house that encourages you to be creative?

Ø Who do you think won first place in the sidewalk art contest?

Snack ideas: marshmallows, cookies (oatmeal, chocolate chip), grape soda

Activity ideas:

Scribble Experiment. “The first thing is to make a scribble with our eyes closed,” Lucy Casserole said.
“ . . . I place one hand on the upper corner of the drawing board, and I have a piece of chalk in my other hand. Now, I close my eyes, and scribble, scribble, scribble, right in the middle of the paper, and going just anywhere.” “ . . . We can look at our scribbles – sometimes it helps to squint a little – and the first image we see we have to draw . . . And, of course, you can add things you didn’t see the first time you squinted – make as complete a drawing as you can.”

Collage. “Bruno Ugg was very good at cutting images out of the magazines and putting them together to make weird pictures . . .. Loretta Fischetti went in for abstract patterns of type from newspapers, going in all directions – and she added colors in tempera paint. My specialty was gluing down hunks of hair . . . also leaves, gum wrappers, and things like buttons, Popsicle sticks, and various other pieces of trash. Bruno Ugg’s mother . . . suggested we use uncooked noodles and various shapes of pasta . . ..”

Read Art by Patrick McDonnell (One Book New Jersey 2009 Read-to-Me selection) out-loud. More art activities can be found at www.onebooknewjersey.org.

July 2, 2009 Junior Book Buddies

2009-06-28T18:58:00.000-04:00

Babe The Gallant Pig by Dick King Smith
A pig comes to Framer Hogget’s farm, where he is adopted by the sheepdog, Fly, and does amazing things.

Junior Book Buddies

1. How did Farmer Hogget first meet Babe?
2. How did Babe come to the farm?
3. What was the relationship between Pig and the sheepdog, Fly and her pups?
4. What was so special about Pig? How did he get his name, Babe?
5. How did Mrs. Hogget feel about Pig? How did the sheep feel about Pig?
6. What change in attitude did Fly have about the sheep? Why?
7. How did Babe save the sheep?
8. What was Farmer Hogget’s plan to appear at the Grand Challenge Trials? Was he going to enter Fly or Pig?
9. What was Farmer Hogget like?...Mrs Hogget?
10. What were the words of praise that Farmer Hogget used with Pig?
11. If you had to pick a moral to this story, what would it be?

Something about the author:
Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucester , England. He was a farmer, teacher and author of children’s books. He loves animals and writes mostly about them. Check out more information about him on Random House website at: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/dickkingsmith/

Double Digits June 25, 2009

2009-06-22T16:47:00.000-04:00

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
by Peggy Gifford

Book Discussion on June25, 2009.

It wasn't as if Moxy Maxwell hadn't tried to do her summer reading. She and Stuart Little had been inseparable all summer, like best friends. If Stuart Little wasn't in her backpack, it was in her lap . . . or holding up the coffee table . . . or getting splashed when Moxy went swimming. But now it's the end of August—the day before fourth grade. And if Moxy doesn't read all of Stuart Little immediately, there are going to be "consequences." It may look like Moxy is doing nothing, but actually she is very busy with a zillion highly crucial things like cleaning up her room (sort of) and training her dog and taking a much-needed rest in the hammock. Just look at the pictures her twin brother Mark takes to document it all—they're scattered throughout—and you'll see why it's so difficult to make time for a book about a mouse. (www.randomhouse.com)

Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

Ø Sometimes Moxy stays up all night to finish a book. Have you ever loved a book so much that you stayed up late to finish it? What was it, and what made it so hard to put down?

Ø One of the major focuses of the story is Moxy's procrastination. What sorts of things in your life do procrastinate doing? Do you think that procrastination helps or harms you in the end – in other words, does procrastination pay? Why or why not?

Ø She says she loves to read, yet she puts off reading Stuart Little until the very last minute. Why? Have you ever had a hard time getting started on something that you might have enjoyed if you hadn't been told to do it? Or are you more like Mark who gets his reading done at the very beginning of summer vacation? What kinds of things help you get started when you want to put something off? How would you have handled the situation if you were Moxy, or her mother?

Ø At one point, Moxy decides to invent a word that means "more extreme than extremely extreme," but, of course, she gets distracted. What word can you invent that means "more extreme than extremely extreme?"

Ø Why do you think Moxy is so against reading Stuart Little? Is it just because she doesn't like the sound of it, or because she has to read it over the summer, or for some other reasons? What is it about Moxy's personality that keeps her from wanting to sit down and read the book?

Ø The book states that Moxy has been on an "emotional roller coaster." What does this phrase mean? When have you been on an "emotional roller coaster"? How did you handle it?

Ø "As far as she could tell, having character meant telling the truth when it was not absolutely necessary." This is something Moxy realizes when her mother asks her a tough question. Can you think of examples in your life when you were tempted to lie instead of telling the truth? What is your definition of "having character"?

Ø Moxy is surprised by her ultimate reaction to Stuart Little. Have you ever had the wrong idea about someone or something and been surprised to find out you were wrong? If so, who or what was it? Explain.

Snack ideas: lemonade, peaches

Junior Book Buddies June 4, 2009

2009-06-22T11:45:00.000-04:00

Uncle Pirate by Douglas Rees

June 4 Book Discussion

Uncle Pirate by Douglas Rees
Wilson is one of the most bullied fourth-graders at the chaotic Very Elementary School until his long-lost uncle, Desperate Evil Wicket Bob, a pirate, and his talking penguin arrive and begin making everything “ship-shape,” one classroom at a time.
Questions to generate discussion
1. What does it mean when Wilson’s mother makes pumpkin pie for the family for desert?
What was the families’ nick name for it? . What was the news that was shared at dinner?
2. what does it mean to be “Ship Shape and Bristol fashion?”
3. Why was Uncle Pirate’s crew mad at him?
4. Who is Captain Jack? Where did he sleep?
5. What is Thunder Slump?
6. What was Very Elementary like? How did the school change? Why?
7. Who was Ms. Twissel? What happened to her?
8. Who was Ms. Quern? Did she change when she met Uncle Pirate? How?
9. What was Principal Purvis’s behavior like? How did he change after meeting Uncle Pirate?
10. Who was Carla Canova? What happened to her?
11. What was Classroom Four like? What happened when Uncle Pirate took over?
12. What happened to the school?

Douglas Rees was born in 1947. When he was six years old he wanted to be a fireman, when he was twelve, he wanted to be a writer. He is a fiction writer for children, young adult and adults. He is also a librarian. Visit him at: www.douglasrees.com

Double Digits May 28, 2009

2009-06-22T11:44:00.000-04:00

The Lemonade War
by Jacqueline Davies

Book Discussion on May 28, 2009.

The Lemonade War tells the story of an exciting summer spent by a loving but competitive pair of siblings, Evan and Jessie Treski. At the end of the summer, Jessie, the younger and more academically inclined of the two, is delighted to learn that because she is skipping third grade, she will be in Evan's fourth-grade class when school starts in a few days. To say the least, Evan is less than thrilled. The children's personal conflict becomes a professional one as well, as they set out to outsell each other at their respective lemonade stands. The narrative follows the arc of Evan's and Jessie's business endeavors, from inception to realization to dissolution, with all the ups and downs along the way. Davies manages to follow this course without becoming dry or dull — in part because the ups and downs of the Treskis' lemonade stands are tied to the ups and downs of their relationship. The characters are lively, realistic, and well defined, and their conflict is handled with sensitivity and without influencing the reader to take sides. Reader's will find themselves rooting for both of these creative and hard-working children all the way through to the book's satisfying conclusion. (www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com)

Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

Ø Have you ever felt competitive with someone you are close to, like a sibling or a good friend? What was the competition about? What did you do? How was it resolved?

Ø Evan is so angry with his sister he can barely stand it! Has Jessie consciously done anything to harm her brother? Explain the root of Evan's anger.

Ø Jacqueline Davies chose to create Evan and Jessie as characters who don't fit the stereotype of boys and girls, in terms of both their academic strengths and challenges and their social strengths and challenges. Do you think that such stereotypes (girls as intuitive but not good at math, boys as good at math but not so good at reading people's feelings) get in the way at your school?

Ø Even though Jessie and Evan are having a hard time with each other, they don't want their mom to know. Can you explain why they are so careful not to show her they are quarreling? Have you ever felt like this?

Ø Evan is pretty sure that Scott Spencer stole the lemonade money he "borrowed" from Jessie. Why doesn't Evan confront Scott? Why doesn't he ask for his money back?

Ø How do Evan and Jessie finally resolve the conflict — both their lemonade war and their personal war?

Ø Both children have to admit that they've done mean things to each other before they can move on. Have you ever done something out of anger that you wish you hadn't? How did this play out?

Ø Evan and Jessie have very different strengths and weaknesses. While Jessie feels most comfortable with numbers, Evan finds people easier to understand. How do the two characters learn to appreciate each other’s differences and use them to solve their problem?

Snack ideas: lemonade mix, bags of chips
Problem
Evan went to the store and bought fifty cups. The next day, he had a lemonade stand and used 21 of those cups to sell lemonade for 50 cents per cup. Five of the cups he sold had refills, which means the customer bought a second cup of lemonade but used the same cup. How many cups did Evan have left at the end of the day? How much money did Evan make selling lemonade?
Answer
Math Strategies Used: Solve a simpler problem, Make an organized list, and Write an equation.
There are TWO problems here.

Problem
Evan has five dollars, and his best friend Paul has forty-six dollars. How much money do they have together?
Answer
Math Strategies Used: Write an equation.

Junior Book Buddies May 8, 2009

2009-05-05T12:28:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies Book - Art by Patric McDonnell
May 8, 2009

Franklin Lakes Public Library joins hundreds of other libraries in New Jersey in the celebration of the seventh consecutive year of One Book New Jersey, a fun and exciting program being promoted across the state to bring people together by encouraging them to read and participate in discussions and other events about the same book. That is why Junior Book Buddies has chosen the book, Art ,by Patrick McDonnell, to discuss as the book for the month of May.

ART by Patrick McDonnell
A budding young artist named Art, explores with color, lines and many other design elements.
Book Discussion Questions
1. What is Art?
2. How does Art play?
3. What colors does he use?
4. What does it mean, “ A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words?”
5. Where is Art’s exhibit space?

Something about the author:
Patrick McDonnell claims he has always wanted to be a cartoonist. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1979 and has worked as an illustrator for a number of magazines, from Sports Illustrated to Reader's Digest. In 1994 his comic strip, MUTTS, was launched, and it now appears in over 700 newspapers. Mr. McDonnell received The Reuben, the highest honor given by the National Cartoonists Society, and numerous other honors, including five Harvey Awards for Best Comic Strip. MUTTS has also won awards for its environmental and animal advocacy. In 2005, Mr. McDonnell's first book for children, featuring the MUTTS characters, was published. Art is his second picture book, and he has since written several others, including South, his newest book released in September 2008. Mr. McDonnell lives in New Jersey with his wife, Karen O'Connell, and their formerly feral cat, “Mee Mow.”

Double Digits Book Discussion, April 30, 2009

2009-04-23T22:09:00.000-04:00

Please Write In This Book by Mary Amato Book Discussion on April 30, 2009.
When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer's Corner for her students to find, with theinstructions "Please Write in this Book," she hopes it will encourage her students to talk to oneanother in its pages. They do, and the result is an epic classroom battle.
Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part. Ø Which student is most like you and why?
Ø What kind of a teacher do you think Mrs. Wurtz is? Why?
Ø When did things go from funny to mean-spirited in the book?
Ø The students have a hard time taking turns writing in the book. What do you do to help yourselfbe patient when you have to wait?
Ø The characters in this book have their own ideas about what should be written in the book. Whydoes this cause a problem? What are some of the rules Lizzy tries to make? Do her rules work?
Ø Does Lizzy follow her own rules? Why or why not?
Ø Because of the rules, what do you think is the worst thing that happens? How is the problemfinally solved? Can you think of other ways the class could have solved the problem? Ø Did you think Mrs. Wurtz would step in and take the notebook away sometime during the book? When?
Ø At the beginning of the book someone says Jimmy doesn't like to write. Is this true? Why or whynot?
Ø Why was the notebook a success? What did the students learn from each other?

Double Digits Book Discussion - April 30, 2009

2009-04-22T14:49:00.000-04:00

"Please Write In This Book" by Mary Amato Book Discussion on April 30, 2009.
When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer's Corner for her students to find, with theinstructions "Please Write in this Book," she hopes it will encourage her students to talk to oneanother in its pages. They do, and the result is an epic classroom battle.
Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part. Ø Which student is most like you and why?
Ø What kind of a teacher do you think Mrs. Wurtz is? Why?
Ø When did things go from funny to mean-spirited in the book?
Ø The students have a hard time taking turns writing in the book. What do you do to help yourselfbe patient when you have to wait?
Ø The characters in this book have their own ideas about what should be written in the book. Why does this cause a problem? What are some of the rules Lizzy tries to make? Do her rules work?
Ø Does Lizzy follow her own rules? Why or why not?
Ø Because of the rules, what do you think is the worst thing that happens? How is the problem finally solved? Can you think of other ways the class could have solved the problem? Ø Did you think Mrs. Wurtz would step in and take the notebook away sometime during the book? When?
Ø At the beginning of the book someone says Jimmy doesn't like to write. Is this true? Why or why not?
Ø Why was the notebook a success? What did the students learn from each other?

Junior Book Buddies Book Discussion 4/9/09

2009-04-08T22:36:00.000-04:00

Junior Book Buddies 4/9/09
Postponed from 4/2/09
Horrible Harry Bugs the Three Bears by Suzy Kline

1) Who is Horrible Harry?
2) Who is the narrator of the story?
3) Why was Harry digging a hole by the playground fence?
4) What did Harry find, and how did what he find effect the story?
5) What did the third grade class do when they studied fairy tales?
6) What did Mrs. Funderburke do to the Starlight Café? What was the special luncheon called/
7) Describe the friendship between Harry and Song Lee…between Harry and Doug?
8) Did Harry help Sid? If so, how?
9) What was the Goldilocks Worm-off?
10) How were bugs used in the play?

Something about the author:
Suzy Kline was born in 1943 in Berkley California. She started writing when she was 8, just by writing letters to family in Indiana, her grandfather. As she got older, she kept writing. She attended Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, and California State College. She earned a teaching degree and she was an elementary school teacher in CA and CT. She got many rejections from publishers, but it didn’t stop her from writing. Her first published book she wrote was “ SHHH”. She wrote it in one night after a hard day working with her second grade class making a Beverly Cleary poster. The book, “SHHH” was the first book in a trilogy. The second book in the series was “Don’t Touch,” and the third book was “Oppps!”

DOUBLE DIGITS

2009-03-27T05:23:00.000-04:00

No Talking by Andrew Clements - Book Discussion on March 26, 2009

The fifth-grade girls and the fifth-grade boys at Laketon Elementary don't get along very well. But thereal problem is that these kids are loud and disorderly. That's why the principal uses her red plasticbullhorn. A lot. Then one day Dave Packer, a certified loudmouth, bumps into an idea - a big one thatmakes him try to keep quiet for a whole day. But what does Dave hear during lunch? A girl, LynseyBurgess, jabbering away. So Dave breaks his silence and lobs an insult. Those words lead to otherwords about who's the biggest loudmouth, and those words spark a contest: Which team can say the fewestwords during two whole days? And it's the boys against the girls. (www.andrewclements.com) Discussion guide available at www.simonsays.com or www.simonandschuster.com.

1. Who are the "Unshushables"? How do the teachers at Laketon Elementary feel about the"Unshushables"? Have you ever been part of a noisy group? Why do you think this was the case?
2. Who is Gandhi and how does he get Dave Packer into trouble? Who helps turn Dave's experiment intoa grade-wide contest? What are the terms of the contest?
3. Who is Mrs. Hiatt? List some of the unusual steps she has taken to try to handle the fifth-gradeclass. Have her efforts worked? Has she given up?
4. What surprises Mrs. Hiatt at the fifth-grade lunch on the second Tuesday of November? How do Mrs.Marlow, Mrs. Akers, and Mr. Burton each react to the surprise?
5. What challenges do the fifth graders encounter as they get through the first hours of thecontest? What loopholes do they find that allow them to make noise? What are the differences betweentalking and noise?
6. What does Dave decide is the right word for the contest? Why do you think he chooses this word?Would you choose this same word to describe the contest?
7. Why does the author title Chapter 13 "Language Lab"? What experiment does Mr. Burton perform? What is the result of his experiment?
8. What do the kids discover as they try to keep quiet at home? How do their parents react to thesilence?
9. How do the kids handle Mrs. Hiatt's "Pledge of Allegiance" trick? Why do they do this? Whathappens when Mrs. Hiatt demands an end to their contest? What change is happening in the relationshipsbetween the fifth graders?
10. Why doesn't Mrs. Escobar mind that the kids have disobeyed Mrs. Hiatt? What happens in her mathclass? What happens in Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts? How do the kids handle their musicclass on the second day?
11. How does Mr. Burton feel about Mrs. Hiatt's efforts to stop the fifth-grade contest? What doesMrs. Hiatt do when she finds out that the contest is still going on at lunchtime? How does she confrontDave? How does Dave respond?
12. How does Mrs. Hiatt feel about her actions? Can you understand why she acted the way she did? What happens when she asks Dave to her office?
13. Why is the final chapter entitled "Winners"? Who are the winners in this story?
14. Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

Junior Book Buddies - Book discussion 3/5/09

2009-02-09T08:10:00.000-05:00

Junior Book Buddies - “In Business with Mallory “by Laurie Friedman
The meeting date of this book discussion has been changed to 3/5/09 at 4:15 p.m. Hope to see you at the Franklin Lakes Public Library.

“In Business with Mallory “by Laurie Friedman
1) Who was Mary Ann? What role did she have in relation to the perfect purse?
2) What did Mallory do when her mother first said no to her getting the perfect purse?
Did she ask her again? How many times did she ask her before she accepted the answer?
3) What did Mallory’s Grandma say when she asked her for help?
4) Who was Joey? How did her relationship change with Joey as a result of the perfect purse?
5) What do you think is a “pinkie swear”?
6) What did Mary Ann and Mallory like to do together?
7) What did Mallory do to earn money?
8) What did Mallory do about Max’s birthday present?
9) What did Mallory’s mother mean when she said, “two wrongs don’t make a right?”
10) How did Max feel at his birthday party? How did Mallory feel? What did she do about it?

Something about the author:
Picture book author and creator of the Mallory series always wanted to be a writer. She was a big fan of reading as a child, and was even writing poetry in third grade. She has written 8 books about Mallory in third grade. More will be coming as she goes through vacations, camp and fourth grade. Laurie lives in Florida and has a puppy, a Bichon Frise named Ollie. Check out Laurie Friedman’s blog at http://www.lauriefriedman.com/.

Other books to enjoy by the author, other than the great Mallory series are: ”A Style all Her Own,”
“I’m not Afraid of This Haunted House,” and “Love, Ruby Valentine.”

Double Digits

2009-01-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

Marley : A Dog Like No Other
by John Grogan

Book Discussion on February 26, 2009.

When newlyweds John and his wife Jenny decide they want to adopt a puppy, they find a bargain Labrador Retriever, and so Marley enters their lives. Marley is full of energy, boundless enthusiasm, ecstatic love, and trouble with a capital “T.” Marley eats everything – shoes, toy soldiers, even an expensive piece of jewelry. He hates being alone, is terrified of thunderstorms (a real problem when the Grogan family lived in Florida) and manages to bump into, jump onto, or knock over just about everything in sight. John Grogan has adapted his bestselling book for adults, Marley & Me, into a fast-paced funny tale that will have kids laughing out loud. Dog owners will recognize some common puppy problems, magnified a thousandfold in the incorrigible Marley. The book recounts all of Marley’s thirteen glorious years, including his illness and death, but even in the poignant end, Marley’s love of life is what readers will best remember.

Ø What test did Jenny and her husband use to decide which dog to adopt? Describe the dog’s reaction to it.

Ø What does the author do when Marley, the new dog, barks during his first night at home? Why do you think the dog was barking?

Ø What were some of Marley’s “bad” habits? What steps would you take to try to change Marley’s behavior?

Ø Describe what happened in Marley’s training classes. How do you think Marley’s owners felt? How would you handle the trainer’s recommendations?

Ø What were some of the reasons that Jenny wanted to give Marley up? Do you think her reasons were justified? Why or why not?

Ø How did the children get along with Marley, and what lessons did they learn from him?

Ø How did Marley change as he got older? If you own a pet, how has your pet changed as it got older?

Ø When Marley was sick, what were some of the ways that the family helped to take care of him?

Ø How did you feel about the ending? Was it a surprise or could you predict what was going to happen? Explain.

Ø Describe your favorite scene from the book and explain why it was your favorite part.

2009-01-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

Questions about “The Journey That Saved Curious George. The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey” by Louise Borden

What was H. A.. Rey’s real name? What was his childhood like in Germany?

Where did Margarete study art and photography?

Why did Hans travel to Brazil ?

What is the correlation to the broad hat that Hans wore and the one in Curious George?

Why did Hans and Margarete change their name from Reyersbach to Rey?

Why did the Rey’s go to Paris, France?

What kind of pets did they have?

In 1939, The Reys were writing a wonderful new story, what was the title and what was it about?

Many Parisians left the city of Paris when the war broke out between France and Germany, even thought the first battles began in Poland. Where did Hans and Margaret travel? Why were they afraid?

Because of the war, there were strict rules about printing. Would Whiteback and/or Fifi every get published?

With the advance of money from the Rey’s publisher in Paris, how did they use the French Francs?

On May 10, 1940, the German army crossed over the boarders of two neutral countries, Holland and Belgium. Soon they were on the northern French boarder. How did Hans and Margaret stay safe?

Traveling during wartime was difficult. The Reys had much to do before they could leave Paris. What were those things?

That summer in Paris in early June, Monuments and historic buildings had sandbags as protection against bombs, shops were closed, taxis were hard to find and trains out of the city were no longer running. What means of transportation did the Reys use? What happened?

Where were the Rey’s headed?

How did the mischievous little monkey rescue the Reys?

Where were the Reyes as they waited for a ship to Brazil and then America? What else did they still need?

What landmark greet the Reys that chilly October, four months after leaving Paris on their bicycles?

Something About the Author:
Something about the author is the book itself, ‘The Journey that Saved Curious George. The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H.A. Rey,” which is a biography.

Other books by the author H.A. Reys: Curious George, 1941; Curious George Takes a Job, 1947; Curious George Rides a Bike, 1952; Curious George Gets a Medal, 1957; Curios George Learns the Alphabet, 1963; The Original Curiosu George 1998.In all, the Reys published seven Curious George books, the last being Curious George Goes to the Hospital in 1966. By the 1970s

Junior Book Buddies

2009-01-08T01:38:00.000-05:00

Junior Book Buddies discussion 1/8/09
One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge
1) What war are they referring to in the book?
2) Who is the main character of this story?
3) What did Dr. Kramer mean, “Dropped from the Heavens?”
4) Who was Dr. Kramer and what did he mean by helping others?
5) How did families in America help?
6) Who was Eliza? Did her father ever come home?
7) What is significant about the title of the story?
8) What was one of the ways that life was returning back to normal?
9) What inspired the author, Lita Judge, to write this story?
10) If you lived without the everyday comforts that you have in your life right now, what would you value the most?

One Thousand Tracings: Awards and Recognitions!

2008 Winner of the IRA Children's Book Award
2008 ALA Notable Children's Book
2008 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor
NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
Bank Street Best Books of the Year 2008
2008 Michigan Notable Book
Cooperative Children’s Book Center ( CCBC) Choices 2008
IRA Teachers' Choices for 2008
IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing 2007
2007 Society of School Librarians (SSLI)
National Parenting and Publication Awards - Gold Award
2008 Storytelling World Resource Award
2007 Cybal Award Finalist
Book Links Lasting Connection of 2007

About the author:
Lita Judge was one of twin girls, born in Ketchikan, Alaska. Her father was a soil scientist and their family moved around a lot throughout the west. She often would visit her grandparents who were biologists, and lived in an old farm house in Wisconsin. There was no running water, and they used an outhouse for their bathroom facilities. Her grandparents studied birds, so Lita grew up with drawing and also loving birds, and the outdoors. Her grandmother was also a writer for children’s and adult books.

As a child, she loved dinosaurs. She read about them, drew them and studied them She studied Geology in College and went on a dinosaur dig. She met her husband Dave in college. They now live in Peterborough, New Hampshire and they love to travel.

When children ask her what they can do to become a writer or illustrator like her, she says, “Practice writing and drawing, and write or draw every day!” She also says, “read, read, read and look at beautiful art. Experiment and try new things.” She encourages having hobbies and interests that give a foundation for living life with interesting experiences. Ms Judge thinks that some of your skills as a future writer and artist will grow from these experiences and the things that you love to do.
Check out the author’s website at: www.litajudge.com

Double Digits

2009-01-08T01:26:00.000-05:00

Double Digits, December 18, 2008
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

1) Why did Sara like to pretend?
2) Who was Becky? How did they first meet?
3) Who were Sara’s friends? How did she relate to them?
4) What did Sara think of Mrs. Munchin?
5) Why did Lavina and her friends call Sara, “Your Royal Highness?”
6) What do you think it means when Sara says, "When Nature has made you for a giver,
hands are born open and so is your heart.”
7) Why is laughter as filling as a meat pie?
8) How did it happen that Mrs. Munchin heard about the death of Captain Crew?
What did she do?
9) Why do you think Mrs. Munchin resented Sara?
10) What was Life like for Sara in the attic?
11) Why was Captain Crew and his long friend and partner involved with the Diamond mines? What happened?
12) What happened when Mrs. Munchin explained to Mr. Carmichael that sara was a charity case, and they were intruding?

Something about the author:
Born Frances Eliza Hodgson, in Cheetham Hill, manchester England with 4 other siblings. Her father died in 1854, leaving her mother to support the entire family alone. They lived in poverty and thans to the encouragement of an uncle, the emigrated to Knoxvile, tennessee in the United States. Conditions were not much better, for them there. After her mother died in 1867, Frances support two of her younger sibblings. She turned to writing to support them all. She married Dr. Swan Burnett of washington D.C. in 1873. Other books written by Frances Hodgson Burnett were, "Little Roy Fauntleroy," published in 1886. It was originally intended as a children's book, but had a great appeal to mothers. It created a fashion of long curls based on her own son, Vivian's hairstyle. The book sold more than half a million copies. In 1898 she divorced Dr. Burnett and remarried to Stevphen Townsend, her business manager. Other books that she wrote were, "Sara Crewe, A Little Princess, The Lady of Qulaity" and "The Secret Garden."

Double Digits

2009-01-08T00:41:00.000-05:00

Book Discussion for 11/20/08
“Sounder” by William H. Armstrong
1) Did you like the book? Why or why not?
2) Does the boy in the story go to school?
3) What do you think they mean in the book by the phrase, “Night Loneliness/”
4) Why was Sounder a good name for the dog?
5) Why is the boy’s father taken away?
6) Why do you think the deputy shot Sounder?
7) How did they treat the boy going into the jail?
8) Why did the boy’s father ask him not to come back to visit him?
9) What shape was his father in when he returned? Why?
10) What did Sounder do upon the boy’s father’s return?

Something about the author:
William H. Armstrong was born in the Shenandoah Valley, near Lexington, Virginia in September 14, 1911. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1936, and married in 1942. He had three children, two boys and a girl, but his wife died when his children were young. He farmed awhile in Connecticut, then learned to be a carpenter and stonemason. In 1945 he began a teaching career, teaching 13 and 14 year old boys in Kent, Connecticut. This is how and why he began writing. His first book was, “Study is Hard Work.” In 1969 he wrote, “Sounder,” and won the Newberry award and the Lewis Carrol Shelf Award. he wrote two sequels to “Sounder” They were “Sour Land,” which he wrote in 1971 and “The MacLeod Place,” in 1972. Before the end of his life in 1999, he is quoted saying, “To pursue excellence in whatever we do-framing, carpentry,
teaching, writing, (these I have done), is to find a contentment and order in a world that seems to prefer discontent and disorder.”

Junior Book Buddies

2009-01-08T00:34:00.000-05:00

Questions for December 4, 2008 book discussion
"The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

1) Where does this story take place?
2) Why did the kids call Eddie Ball “Air Ball”?
3) What was Eddie’s family life like?
4) Who is Annie Stokely?
5) Is Annie good at playing basketball? Why ?
6) What is Finkle Foods?
7) Who were Ty and Johnny?
8) What was the big contest that Finkle Foods was sponsoring?
9) What did it mean when Eddie’s Mom and Annie’s Dad said they were ‘downsized”?
10) What changed for Eddie and why and how did he enter the contest?
11) What were the terms of the contest?
12) How did Eddie prepare?
13) What did “nothing but net” mean?
14) What was the relationship between Eddie’s Mom and Mr. Stokley?
15) What was Mr. Finkle’s offer?
16) How did he try to focus on his shot?
17) What part did Annie play in Eddie’s attempt at making the shot?
18) What did the author mean, “ There are a few ways this story could end”?
19) How did the story end?
20) Could you do what Eddie did ?

Something about the author :
Did you know that Dan Gutman grew up in Newark New Jersey? He was born in NYC on October 19, 1555, and when he was a year old his family moved to Newark. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1977 , and tried graduate school, with little success.. He moved to NYC and began a writing career, with a slow start, writing some magazine articles and an article for the Staten island Newspaper. He started a Magazine called, “Video Game Player,” which was a success. It was there he met his wife and married in 1983. In 1985, the magazine went out of business, and he began a writing career writing articles to magazines about computers. He knew very little about computers, but he loved baseball. He began writing about baseball, for adults. After his son Sam was born in 1992, he began writing for children, and discovered how much he liked writing fiction.

Other books by Dan Gutman: "My Weird School Series, Baseball’s Greatest Games, Jim and Me, Getting Air, The Homework Machine, Jackie Robinson and the Big Game, The Million Dollar Putt, Abner and Me, The Get Rich Quick Club, Babe Ruth and The Ice Cream Mess, Reach for the Sky," to name a few. Check out Dan Gutman’s website at: http://www.dangutman.com/

Junior Book Buddies

2009-01-08T00:27:00.000-05:00

Questions for Junior Book Buddies 11/06/08
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

1) Why did the Prince’s tutor, Master Peekwit, say that it would be easier to educate a boiled cabbage than to educate the prince?
2) Why did the prince want to run away?
3) Who did Jemmy and the Prince meet in the fog? What happened to them
4) What was the plan that Jemmy concocted after they were captured?
5) Who were the outlaws? What were they planning on doing to Jemmy and the Prince?
6) Why did Jemmy think that the prince had sand for brains?
7) Why did Jemmy think that the Prince betrayed him? Did He?
8) Which boy took the beating as the cutthroats cracked their whip?
9) Who was Petunia? Where was Betsy and Petunia going?
10) How did Jemmy’s feeling changed for the Prince?
11) Why does the prince have a nick name, “Prince Brat?”
12) What did the ballad seller have to say about, Hold-Your-Nose Billy?
13) What did the news seller say about the Prince and the whipping Boy?
14) How did Prince ‘s behavior change?
15) How did the prince think of Jemmy before and after their capture?

Something about the author:

Sid Fleischman writes for films and children’s books. Born in Brooklyn, NY, his family moved to San Diego California. He grew up during the depression and in fifth grade he decided to become a magician. He actually performed vaudeville with a “Ghost-and-goblin show.” He was in the Navy during the war and then attended college. After college, he worked for the San Diego Daily Journal as a reporter. When the company went out of business, he began writing fiction and the rest is history. Check out Sid Fleischman’s web site at: http://www.sidfleischman.com/index.html

Other books by the author: School Library’s Best Book of the year, The Abracadabra Kid, The Midnight Horse, Jim Ugly, The Great Horn Spoon, The 13th floor: A Ghost Story, Bandit’s Moon, Carnival of Animals, Disappearing Act, The Giant Rat of Sumatra: or Pirates Galore, Escape! the Story of The Great Houdini, The White Elephant and The Trouble Begins at 8:00 A Life of Mark Twain in The Wild Wild West..

Write and tell me some of your favorite books by this author. Maybe you have another favorite author. Write to Kidz corner who and why are your favorite authors. Miss Carol

DOUBLE DIGITS

2008-10-28T18:06:00.000-04:00

Double Digits The Unseen by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

1) Did you like the story? Why or Why not?
2) What is Xandra’s real Name? What was her personality like?
3) What was her relationship like with her parents?
4) How many siblings did she have? How did she act around them?
5) What was Belinda’s personality like? What was her relationship to Xandra?
6) What was the key? How was it used?
7) What happened the Xandra when she used the key?
8) What did Brenda’s grandfather mean that the key reflects?
9) What was reflected when Xandra used the key?
10) What happened to Xandra when she was in the forest?
11) What changed for Xandra? For Brenda?

Something about the Author:
Zilpha Keatley Snyder enjoyed reading books and lived in the country as a child in California. She not only grew up with the love of reading but also a love of animals. She grew up with cows, rabbits, ducks, chickens, goats, cats, and dogs.

She wanted to be a writer when she graduated from Whittier College in Southern California, but ended up becoming a teacher in the upper elementary grades for nine years. She married in 1950, raised a family and then when her three children all started school, she began her writing career.

Other books by the author: The Gypsy Games; Treasures of Wetherby; Spyhole Secrets; The Egypt Game; The Magic Nation Thing; Gib and the Gray Ghost; and Gib Rides Home.

DOUBLE DIGITS

2008-10-28T18:04:00.001-04:00

Double Digits Book Discussion

Questions as guidelines for the book discussion of, “The View From Saturday”by E.L. Konigsburg

1) Who is Mrs. Olinski? How did she know Margaret Draper?

2) What was the name for Mrs. Olinski’s team that she chose to participate in the

Academic Bowl? Why were they called that?

3) Why did Mrs. Olinski choose those four sixth graders?

4) What was the connection of Margaret Draper and Izzy Diamonstein to the Souls?

5) How do the Souls know each other?

6) Who were some of the characters who lived in Century village? What did Tillie Nachman say to Noah Gershom when she taught him Calligraphy?

7) What happened the day of the Wedding?

8) Why did Mrs.Olinski know that Noah would know the answer to: “ What is the meaning of the word calligraphy, and from what language does it derive?”

That Nadia would know:” What is the name given to that portion of the North Atlantic Ocean that is noted for its abundance of seaweed, and what is its importance to the ecology of our plane.?”

9) What did Tillie mean by thinking about the six steps in filling the calligraphy pen with ink “not as preparation for the beginning but as the beginning itself?”

10) What do you think Ethan’s mother meant by the difference of living on a farm and living in the “The Farm”? of by saying, “Farming is a life style, not a livlyhood?”

11) What was written on the post-it-note inside the ten dollar bill that Julian gave to Ethan?

12) Why was Nadia so upset and angry? What happened to change her mind?

13) What was the “Bombshell” that Nadia’s Dad dropped?

14) Margaret Draper thought sixth grade had changed. How so? What do you think of sixth graders today?

15) Why was Julian standing at Mrs. Olinski’s Blackboard in front of the word, ”Cripple”?

16) Ho did Julian first invite the Souls to tea? What was his relationship with them previously

17) What did Ethan mean when he said that something happened at Sillington House?

18) Why were the Souls trying to get Mrs. Olinski to stand on her own two feet so the speak? What was their motive?

19) What was Froelich thinking when his dog made understudy to Annie’s Sandy?

20) What happened to Ginger the night 9of the dress rehearsal?

21) What did Julian overhear Hamilton Knapp say? What did he do about it?

22) Was Julian tempted to allow Arnold to eat the drugged treats? If you were in Julian’s shoes, what would you have done?

23) Why was the district superintendent worried about his deputy superintendent in charge of construction, Mr. Homer Fairbain?

24) Why did Michael Froelich drop a noose over the antenna of Mrs. Olinski’s van?

25) How did Century Village get involved in the State Championship Academic Bowl?

26) What does it mean when “Every voyage begins when you do”? or “between reality and realization”?

27) Why did Mrs.Olinski feel a sense of loss after such a wonderful victory?

28) What did Mr. Singh mean when he told Mrs. Olinski that the “Souls have all returned form a journey”?

29) What do you think the meaning is of, “How can you know what is missing if you’ve never met it”?

30) The Souls and Mrs. Olinski share the championship trophy that is called a “Loving Cup.” How does that relate to the Soul’s journey of finding a cup of kindness?

JUNIOR BOOK BUDDIES

2008-10-28T18:02:00.000-04:00

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke

1) What was Tom’s relationship with his mother, his big sister Lola, the caretaker, Mr. Igor Grouchman, and his Grandma?

2) Why did Tom’s mother want him to go into the basement?

3) what happened when he did go into the basement?

4) What did his grandma recommend Tom do?

5) Who was the character, Hetty Hyssop? How would you describe her personality?

6) How did Tom get rid of the cellar ghost, Hugo/

7) What is an “ASG ?”

8) What is an ‘IRG ?”

9) What does graveyard dirt do to ghosts?

10) How did they get the IRG to shrink?

About The Author
Did you know that Cornelia Funke wanted to be an astronaut when she grew up?
She is a German author, born in 1958 in Dorsten Westphalia, Germany. She moved to Hamburg Germany to attend College. Upon graduation, she worked s a social worker on education related projects. She went on to further her study in book illustration at the Hamburg State College of Design and was inspired to write and illustrate her own stories. Read more about her on her website: http://www.corneliafunkefans.com/

JUNIOR BOOK BUDDIES "Freckle Juice " by Judy Blume

2008-09-17T23:26:00.000-04:00

September's Junior Book Buddies Book discussion for grades 2 & 3 is
"Freckle Juice" by Judy Blume

Our discussion followed these questions as guideslines:

1) Who has freckles and why is it so important for Andrew to have freckles?
2) What does Sharon offer Andrew? What was Sharon's character like?
3) What did Miss Kelly do with Andrew and his note?
4) What do you think Miss Kelly was like as a teacher? Do you know a teacher like Miss Kelly?
5) What are the ingredients for Sharon’s secret recipe for Freckle Juice?
6) What are Andrew’s symptoms when he gets ill?
7) Does Andrew want to return to school? Why or why not.
8) What was Andrew’s Mother like?
9) What happens when Andrew does return to school?
10) What is Miss Kelly’s secret formula?

Even if you did not particpate in our group discussion, but you read this children's book, you are welcome to post your answers to some or all of these questions, or just comment on the story. You may even come up with a few additional books by Judy Blume that are your favorites.

Something about the author:
Judy Blume lived in Elizabeth, New Jersey as a kid. She loved making up stories, now, as an adult author, she is still making up stories, by writing books.

Some other books by Judy Bloom:
"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; Pain and the Great One; Going, Going Gone! With the Pain and The Great One; Cool Zone with the Pain and The Great One; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great; Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania; Double Fudge; Then again maybe I won’t; Deenie; Here’s to You Rachel Robinson." Check out some of these at the library. Write to the children's department and let us know what Judy Blume Books you like.

The next book discussion is October 2 at 4:15 p.m. when we'll be discussing, Cornelia Funke's, "Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost." Junior Book Buddies usually meets the first Thursday of every month at 4:15 p.m. You can register by calling the Children's Department of the Franklin Lakes Public Library at 201-891-2224.