March Grades 3-4 Book Club Suggestions

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?




Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

On the island, everything is perfect. The sun rises in a sky filled with dancing shapes; the wind, water, and trees shelter and protect those who live there; when the nine children go to sleep in their cabins, it is with full stomachs and joy in their hearts.

And only one thing ever changes: on that day, each year, when a boat appears from the mist upon the ocean carrying one young child to join them—and taking the eldest one away, never to be seen again.

Today’s Changing is no different. The boat arrives, taking away Jinny’s best friend, Deen, replacing him with a new little girl named Ess, and leaving Jinny as the new Elder. Jinny knows her responsibility now—to teach Ess everything she needs to know about the island, to keep things as they’ve always been.

But will she be ready for the inevitable day when the boat will come back—and take her away forever from the only home she’s known?

The Rhino in Right Field by Stacy DeKeyser

Nick wants to change his life. For twelve years, he’s done what his hard-working, immigrant parents want him to do. Now he’s looking for his own American dream and he thinks he’s found it. The local baseball team is having a batboy contest, and Nick wants to win.

But the contest is on a Saturday—the day Nick has to work in his father’s shop. There’s one other tiny—well, not so tiny—problem. A 2,000-pound rhinoceros named Tank. Nick and his friends play ball in the city zoo—and Tank lives just beyond the right field fence. Nick’s experience getting the ball out of Tank’s pen has left him frozen with fear whenever a fly ball comes his way. How’s a lousy fielder going to win the contest?

Nick practices every day with his best friend, Ace, and a new girl who has an impressive throwing arm! But that’s not enough—to get to the contest, Nick has to lie to his parents and blackmail his uncle. All while dodging the school bully, who’s determined to win even by playing dirty. Nick will need to keep his eye on the ball in this fast, funny story about a game that can throw you some curveballs—just like life!

January Grades 3-4 Book Club: El Deafo

For the January Grades 3-4 Book Club, we read the book El Deafo by Cece Bell. Lucy, Matt, Micah, and Rileigh were present. Here's what we discussed.

When did Cece lose her hearing? After losing her hearing, why does she talk differently?  

-When she was four.
-Because if she can't hear as well as she used to



What are the pros and cons of the Phonic Ear? Overall, was the Phonic Ear something positive or negative for Cece? 

-She can hear people in the bathroom
-She can hear the toilet paper
-Cece can hear better
-One of the cons is that people might make fun of her

Have you ever felt as if you were in a bubble of loneliness like Cece? When
was it? What did you do to help pop your bubble? Would you rather have a friend like Laura or be in a loneliness bubble? 

-Once I get to a new place, I stay to myself. I don't share a bunch with others until I feel comfortable and open up.

We talked more about people being unkind and there being unwanted drama.

What are some misconceptions about deafness that other people have throughout El Deafo? 

-That they are different in a bad way
-I think that this makes the person unique
-They talk to Cece very slowly (and strangely)
-They will use sign language, assuming that she knows it

How does Cece’s view of the Phonic Ear change throughout the book? 

-At first, she thought that she wouldn't get used to it. And then she thought it was awesome. 
-In the beginning, she hid the Phonic Ear under her clothes.



In her author’s note, Cece Bell writes that being different turned out to be a strength. She says, “Our differences are our superpowers.” Could you give examples of how a difference could become a superpower?

-Having a different language than most everyone else, so that I could communicate with someone else and no one would know what we're saying.
-Someone with only one arm would have to find other ways to do things.



Please rank this book from 1-5, with 5 being the best.

-Two 3s
-One 4
-One 5


Here's a short interview with the author, Cece Bell, explaining the story behind the story and some great words of advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnj5STG0SZo

For Book Club in February, we will be reading Matilda by Roald Dahl.

"Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!"

Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, February 12 at 3:00 p.m. Books will be available behind the Circulation Desk within the next few days. As always, snacks and good conversation will be provided at Book Club!

February Grades 3-4 Book Club Suggestions

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller's mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.



Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. It doesn’t matter that times are tough; together they’ll roam the hills of the Ozarks.

Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters—now friends—and Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair, and that the seeds of the future can come from the scars of the past.

December Grades 3-4 Book Club: Red

For December's Book Club, we read Red by Liesl Shurtliff. Lucy, Micah, Mira, and Rileigh were present for Book Club. We used a Brightly.com Book Club guide to keep our discussion on track.

Although this story focuses on Red, the author refers to many other fairy tales. How many did you recognize?

-Goldilocks and the Three Bears
-Three Little Pigs
-Sleeping Beauty
-Snow White
-Rumpelstiltskin

Red is both fascinated by and scared of her magic abilities. Why? Share examples of the effects of using magic in Red.

-She almost killed her grandmother.
-She did a spell that made roses go up her nose.
-She made her path through the woods, which worked out well for her.

Granny tells Red that fear, not magic, is what causes trouble. Do you agree? How did fear affect Red? When have you been afraid? How have you dealt with your fears?

-Magic causes trouble because you never know what you'll get.
-Magic doesn't cause trouble; fear can take over your mind and affect your magic.
-It's the fear that is taking over her magic. She's not controlling it; her fear is.
-I confront my fears and breathe deeply.
-I was afraid of the dark but I grew out of it.
-You talk to your fears and tell them not to scare you.

Who is Goldie? What do you know about her from the story? How are she and Red similar and different?

-They're different. One has a mother who is kind of selfish.
-Both have color names.
-They both have something that they own that is the color of their name: Goldie's golden hair and Red's red cloak
-Goldie is an obnoxious Goldilocks
-She's annoying and obnoxious.
-She just wants her mother to like her.

Things are never quite what they seem in this story — beautiful water sprites are dangerous, witches are good, and wolves are more helpful than dangerous. Why do you think the author wrote these characters this way?

-Because everything is misunderstood.
-Everything has a backstory.
-So that a character could do something new.
-So that the reader's expectations would be turned around.

At one point, Red remembers that “Granny said there were always at least two sides to any story, if not a dozen” (page 133). What does that mean? How does that idea play out in the book?

-Because not everything is simple.
-The wolves and witches are nice while the beautiful people are bad.
-The Big Bad Wolf became the Big Good Wolf, which was unexpected and shows more than one side to the story.

Red makes some unlikely friendships throughout her journey. Discuss and compare her friendships with Goldie, Wolf, and Borlen.

-In the beginning, Red is annoyed by Goldie. But then she realizes that they had a connection. And by the end, they are friends.

-She had a special connection with Wolf through the spell. 
-Borlen and Red had a good connection because Red was able to overlook that Borlen is a monster.

Goldie encourages Red to use her magic by saying “Some mistakes need to be made. Sometimes we have to fall down before we can stand up” (page 64). Do you agree? Why is practice important? Are there things you are good at because you practice?

-Practice is important because you might not become good at something.
-You aren't just going to wake up in fifth grade and know stuff.
-Sports because I practice (and I like it).
-Sports because I practice.
-I am so so so good at basketball because my dad is basketball coach.

The concept of death is woven throughout this book. The Well Witch, Red, the Beast, and the Huntsman are all afraid of death. The dwarves and Granny, however, seem more accepting of their fates. What does Red learn about death during her journey with Goldie? What did you learn? What do you think of the choices some characters made to try to avoid death?

-Death eventually comes to get you.
-It's a bad choice to try to become immortal.
-Death is like playing a game of tag. Sometimes it tags other people but at some point it will tag you.
-Death is part of the circle of life. You are born, you grow up and you die.

“Life is like a story. It doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t end” (page 197). What did Beast mean by that? What did you think of Red’s ending?

-It's like the circle of life. 
-You leave the earth but you can still watch your loved ones.
-I liked the ending of Red because it's nice how Goldie came to visit her and her grandma was still alive and her parents came back.

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

-Three 3s
-One 4

For January's Book Club, we will be reading El Deafo by Cece Bell. We will be meeting on Wednesday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. 

"The author recounts in graphic novel format her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aid, learning how to lip read, and determining her "superpower."-summary

Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk. Please be sure to sign up for book club so that Miss Lisa can buy enough snacks!

January Grades 3-4 Book Club Suggestions

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

El Deafo by Cece Bell

The author recounts in graphic novel format her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aid, learning how to lip read, and determining her "superpower."

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

Wish by Barbara O'Connor

Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite.

But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true. That is, until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.

November Grades 3-4 Book Club: Just Like Jackie

For November's Book Club, we read Just Like Jackie by Lindsey Stoddard. Please read some of the comments about the book below.

Please use one word to describe your first impression of Robbie:

-nice
-violent
-bad language
-not religious
-very violent and cares about her grandpa
-violent and kind
-she always does the first thing on her mind
-sorta violent



Please use one word to describe your first impression of Alex:

-mean
-jerkface
-rude
-bully
-always acts innocent
-crybaby
-jerk and acts innocent
-tattletale
-Momma's boy


Was there any character in Group Guidance who you could relate to or empathize with?:

-I might react the same way as Alex if something had to one of my parents
-I felt bad for Robbie because her Mom died (and she never knew her Dad)
-I felt bad for Austin
-I felt bad for Alex at the end, when it was revealed that his dad had cancer



Who was your favorite character in Just Like Jackie? Least favorite? Why?:


-Grandpa was my favorite. Alex was my least favorite.
-Favorite was Robbie. Least favorite was Alex.
-Favorite was Oscar. Least was Robbie.
-Favorite was Robbie. Alex was my least favorite.
-Favorite was Robbie. Least favorite was Robbie's mom.

What's your favorite scene of the story?:

-When Robbie punched Alex in the face.
-Robbie's mom.
-In Group Guidance, when Oscar and the other people in Guidance when they agreed with Robbie about the Family Tree idea.
-When Robbie punched Alex in the face.
-When Alex cried like a baby.



Do you think that there was a message in this book, beyond the story it told? What might the message be?:

-If someone is acting odd, like something is wrong, something might be happening at home or another personal problem.
-Don't bully people because their name is a different name or they are different from you.
-Don't judge a book by its cover.
-Everyone has challenges in life.
-Don't ever punch someone when you feel like its the right thing to do.

What did you think about the ending of the book? Did it make you happy, sad, etc?:  

-The end of the story made me feel happy and sad.
-Sappy (sad AND happy together)

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

-Three 3
-One 4
-Three 5

For December's Book Club, we will be reading Red: The (Fairly) True Tale of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff.

"Followed by a wolf, a huntsman, and a porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red embarks on a quest to find a magical cure for her ailing grandmother."-summary

 Please be sure to register for Book Club and pick up your library copy of the book at the Circulation Desk!

We will be meeting on Wednesday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk. Please be sure to sign up for book club so that Miss Lisa can buy enough snacks!

December Grades 3-4 Book Club Suggestions

Frindle by Andrew Clements

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it.



Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelan

Let me tell you a secret about the Knights of the Round Table: they don’t have much to do. The realm is at peace and dragons are few and far between. So Merlin decides to send the knights out on a real adventure to a world filled with the most terrible lizards of all: DINOSAURS!

Knights vs. Dinosaurs is a highly illustrated, fast-paced adventure full of uproarious knightly hijinks, surprising secrets, and terrifying dinosaurs. 

Red: The (Fairly) True Story of Red Riding Hood by Leisl Shurtliff

Red is not afraid of the big bad wolf. She’s not afraid of anything . . . except magic. But when Red’s granny falls ill, it seems that only magic can save her, and fearless Red is forced to confront her one weakness.

With the help of a blond, porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red goes on a quest to cure Granny. Her journey takes her through dwarves’ caverns to a haunted well and a beast’s castle. All the while, Red and Goldie are followed by a wolf and a huntsman—two mortal enemies who seek the girls’ help to defeat each other. And one of them just might have the magical solution Red is looking for. . . .