In June, we discussed the book Eight
Keys by
Suzanne Lafleur. Olivia, Riley, Kelsey, Rileigh, Cecilia, Natalie, Abigail,
Molly and Evan were present.
When Elise’s father found out that he was
dying, he wrote letters to Elise for her future birthdays up to her twelfth. We
each wrote a letter to someone for them to read five years from now. The
letters were entertaining and eye-opening.
Why might Amanda be targeting Elise and
others?
-I think she was bullied herself and she wanted other
people to feel what she felt.
-Amanda's older brother bullied her.
-Elise and Franklin were easy targets because they do
stuff that other kids might think are weird. Bullying Elise and Franklin was
easy because they didn't defend themselves.
What does Elise do in response? What
could she have done differently? What might have happened if she had acted
differently and why did she choose to react as she did instead? Remember that
she did try telling a teacher about the problem.
-I think that Elise should have told a teacher.
Again.
-I would have told my mom before Elise did with her aunt.
Elise told her aunt a long time into the bullying. It would have been a little
better.
-If I tell my mom that something is bothering me, she'll
step in for me. The teacher needs to step it up a notch.
-If I were in Elise's place, I would have told Aunt
Bessie the first time it happened.
Elise starts casually insulting Franklin as a
school year goes on. Is this bullying? How does it differ from how Amanda
treats Elise?
-Elise is playing around with Franklin. It's different
how Amanda treats Elise. She squashes her lunch, dignity, her courage, her
hope.
-I think Elise is just teasing Franklin. Franklin knows
that they're still friends and she's just kidding around.
-Franklin didn't know that Elise was teasing.
-I think that the author dragged the subject of Franklin
to much into the book.
-I object. I liked it! I think it was good to know what
Franklin was feeling.
In July, we will be meeting to discuss the book The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver. "
