May Grades 3-4 Book Club Discussion: Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

For May's book club discussion, we read Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Aiden, Cadence, Cameron, Claire, Dylan, Ellie, Isabella, and Maida were present. This is some of what we discussed.

"Thirty-two years before it was made into a movie, Harriet the Spy was a groundbreaking book: its unflinchingly honest portrayal of childhood problems and emotions changed children's literature forever. Happily, it has neither dated nor become obsolete and remains one of the best children's novels ever written. The fascinating story is about an intensely curious and intelligent girl, who literally spies on people and writes about them in her secret notebook, trying to make sense of life's absurdities. When her classmates find her notebook and read her painfully blunt comments about them, Harriet finds herself a lonely outcast. Fitzhugh's writing is astonishingly vivid, real and engaging, and Harriet, by no means a typical, loveable heroine, is one of literature's most unforgettable characters."-amazon.com

Do you know what a spy is?

-They go undercover.
-They can be good or bad and spy on good or bad people.
 

Do you know any spies? Have you ever spied on someone?

-I spy on my parents when they're talking.
-I spied on Scarlet and Avery.
-My mom and dad had a conversation that we were staying in Jamestown another year. 
-Elly and Claire.
-I spied with my cousins on my sister.
-My brother stole candy. I followed him, climbed a tree and found his hiding spot. Later, I told my mom that he stole the candy. He got in trouble.
   

Would you like it if someone spied on you?

-No
-No
-No
-No, I'd just find them
-Because it's mean. 
-Because you might be doing something private.
-Because it's not their business.
-Because people might be wrong in what they're thinking about you. 

What is Harriet carrying on the cover of the book? How are these items helpful to spies?

-Notebook and flashlight
-She writes everything down in the notebook and she can use the flashlight if it's dark out

In what city does this story take place? Have you ever been there?

-New York City
-Visited my grandparents
-I went to Manhattan because it's very busy and it smells.

Do you talk about people behind their backs? Would you like it if people talked about you behind your back?

-Yes and no.
-Yes and no.
-Yes and no.
-Sometimes I say nice things and sometimes I say mean things.
-I talk behind my sister's back (some nice and some mean)
-I talk behind Maida's back.

Do you think it is important to get to know people before you judge them?

-Yes because they could be much different than what you thought. You might think they look weird but they're actually nice.
-Yes. That happened to my brother. People won't meet him properly. Just because of how good he is, they don't want to get to know him. 
-My brother told me that, just because he was wearing glasses, kids at school didn't want to hang out with him. That's just about his looks. They assume things about him and think that I'm like him.
-Yes because, even if someone has a strange or something, it's not how they act or who they are.
-Yes, you shouldn't just a person by their "cover".
-If you judge someone before getting to know them, you can start a bad relationship.   

Do you think Harriet was trying to hurt anyone's feelings, or was she just being honest? Does it matter whether or not she meant to hurt people's feelings or not? (The end result is the same...)

-She was being honest because she probably wouldn't have written things that weren't true about people. She never intended for the notebook to be seen.
-I think she's being honest because she would have known that it would hurt people's feelings.
-I don't think that she was trying to hurt anyone's feelings. 
-She didn't feel that bad about people seeing the notebook.
-Instead of apologizing, she just did mean things back to them. She's a brat.   

What would happen if somebody found your private notebook, if you kept one?

-I'd scream and fly to Mars.
-I would apologize.
-Instead of having a diary, I would have a diary with a lock.
   
In June, the members of all of the Book Clubs (Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6 and Grades 7 and Up) are invited to come discuss their favorite books on Wednesday, June 15 at 3:00 p.m. We will not be reading any specific books during June, July or August, but we will be sharing books that we've read and would like to recommend to others. Or books that we've disliked. Or books that we can't wait to read. It's an open discussion. Snacks will be provided. Get some great ideas for Summer Reading!
 

April Grades 3-4 Book Club Discussion: Switch by Ingrid Law

For April's Book Club, we read Switch by Ingrid Law. Cadence, Claire, Ellie, Isabella, Lillian and Maida were present. This is some of what we discussed.

Who if your favorite character in the story? Why?:

-Tucker because he farts and grows big.
-I like the Captain Cat
-Gypsy because she can stop time and undo the stop. She has a secret stash of candy for Tucker to calm him down.
-I like Tucker because he grew big before he turned 13.


Who was your least favorite character? Why?: 


-Del because he stole someone's phone and it's rude and immature.
-Grandma Pat because she's old and does odd stuff.
-The next door neighbor is my least favorite because she wears too much makeup.


How would you react if your family introduced a new person to live in your house?:

-I would say "no"
-I would ask where they would sleep because I don't want to share a room
-I would be confused
-If you don't know them well, I would be unhappy


Would you like having Gypsy's original savvy?:

-She could see the future and the past.
-I would be able to save people and also go back in time and change things.
-I would always have the right answer for things.


Would you like having Gypsy's new savvy?:

-I would want her new Savvy because I could rob a bank
-I could catch a snake
-I could take candy 
-If something bad was going to happen, I could stop it


Do you think that things will remain "switched"? Why or why  not?:


-Yes
-I think that they will switch back. If Grandma Pat dies, they will switch back.

If you could change a scene in the story, which one would it be? Why?:

-I would change the whole book.
-No, I liked the book.

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

-1
-4 3s
-1 4


We will meet on Wednesday, May 4 at 3:00 p.m. for the next book club. We will be reading Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.

Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she’s written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together?


Please pick up copies of this book at the Circulation Desk and be sure to register so that Miss Lisa knows how many people to expect.

May Grades 3-4 Book Club Recommendations

Hoot by Carl Hiassan

Roy Eberhardt is the new kid--again. This time around it's Trace Middle School in humid Coconut Grove, Florida. But it's still the same old routine: table by himself at lunch, no real friends, and thick-headed bullies like Dana Matherson pushing him around. But if it wasn't for Dana Matherson mashing his face against the school bus window that one day, he might never have seen the tow-headed running boy. And if he had never seen the running boy, he might never have met tall, tough, bully-beating Beatrice. And if he had never met Beatrice, he might never have discovered the burrowing owls living in the lot on the corner of East Oriole Avenue. And if he had never discovered the owls, he probably would have missed out on the adventure of a lifetime. Apparently, bullies do serve a greater purpose in the scope of the universe. Because if it wasn't for Dana Matherson...

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Miyax, like many adolescents, is torn. But unlike most, her choices may determine whether she lives or dies. At 13, an orphan, and unhappily married, Miyax runs away from her husband's parents' home, hoping to reach San Francisco and her pen pal. But she becomes lost in the vast Alaskan tundra, with no food, no shelter, and no idea which is the way to safety. Now, more than ever, she must look hard at who she really is. Is she Miyax, Eskimo girl of the old ways? Or is she Julie (her "gussak"-white people-name), the modernized teenager who must mock the traditional customs? And when a pack of wolves begins to accept her into their community, Miyax must learn to think like a wolf as well. If she trusts her Eskimo instincts, will she stand a chance of surviving? John Schoenherr's line drawings suggest rather than tell about the compelling experiences of a girl searching for answers in a bleak landscape that at first glance would seem to hold nothing.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.

March Grades 3-4 Book Club: The One and Only Ivan

For March's Book Club, we read the Newbery Medal winner, The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate. Cadence, Cameron, Claire, Dylan, Eleanor, Isabella, and Lillian were present. This is some of what we discussed, based on the publisher's reading guide.







1. Why does the sign for the Big Top Mall show Ivan as angry and fierce? 

-Because he is supposed to be a fierce gorilla from the wild
-It attracts people
-When silverbacks beat their chests, it is impressive


2. What are the characteristics of Stella and Bob that make Ivan call them his best friends? What do Ivan and Stella have in common? How are they alike, and how are they different? 

-Because Bob likes to sleep on Ivan's belly. 
-They will always be together, no matter what
-Ivan and Ruby are alike in that they both go to zoos
-They have been in domains for a long time
 

3. Discuss the special bond between Julia and Ivan. Why is she different from all the other children who come to see his shows? 

-Julia has always been there for him. The other kids leave and don't visit again. Julia and Ivan have a bond of friendship. 
-Ivan has always liked to paint ever since he was little. Julia always brings him pencils, crayons and paints. He likes her so much because she keeps believing in his art. Mack just wants to sell them.

4.Why is Ivan’s art important to Mack? Why is it important to Julia? 

-Mack just wants to sell it for money (with a frame). It's important to Julia because it's important to Ivan.
-Julia likes his paintings because she likes to paint too. Mack sells it for $60 with a frame. 


5. What is the importance of the television in Ivan’s cage? What does he learn from watching the television? Why does he like Westerns, and what does he learn from the nature shows? 

-One day he saw a gorilla on the TV. He had always thought he was the only one. But now he knows he's not.
-Because he loved his family and he wanted to see other pictures of gorilla.
-He learns about gorillas and he misses the wild. He starts to remember about Tag and all of the fun things he used to do. He remembered what he was named in the wild and Tag too.  -He liked Westerns because he learned about romance.


6. Why is Bob so independent? What events in Bob’s life have shaped his personality? How does Bob’s experience with humans compare to Ivan’s? 

-Bob got tossed out of a truck. He hides whenever people come. But he does like Ivan's furry tummy.
-Bob was thrown out of truck and into a ditch. He survived. 
-The poachers killed Ivan's parents and then his sister died of heartbreak.
-He lived with Mack before he was at the Big Top Mall.  

7. Compare the personalities of Mack and George. How are they alike, and how are they different? What is the meaning of “family” to each of them? 

-George is nice and kind to everyone. Mack was nice at first when he had his wife and raised Ivan as a baby. But, one day, his wife went out and he put Ivan in the domain. And then he became mean. When Ruby came along and he used the claw stick on her, that was mean.
-George is understanding of Ivan because he helped Julia put together Ivan's picture. 
-Family means "home". 
-George is very caring and he wants to keep his job and not get fired because his wife is sick.


8. Why does Ivan promise Stella that he will take care of Ruby when he knows how hard it will be to keep that promise? How does Ivan know that Stella is gone before anyone else does? 

-He wanted to make Stella happy.
-He knows that she's gone because they've been together for a long time. He knew that she was close to death.

9. Discuss the importance of memory in this story. How does Ivan’s perception change when he begins to remember more of his own history?  What was Ivan’s name in the forest? Why is it important for him to remember his name and his life as a baby gorilla? 

-Mud was his name. It was important to remember who he was because he almost forgot how to be a gorilla. But remembering helped him.




10. Why is Ivan reluctant to join the other gorillas when he arrives at the zoo? How does he learn to be a true gorilla? What does he need to do to be accepted by the others? How do you feel when you are in a situation with other children you don’t know? 

-He needs to act like a leader.
-He needs to act like a Silverback.
-He's nervous and scared. He hasn't been around other gorillas in a really long time. He's supposed to be a leader like his father was. 


11. Discuss the theme of belonging in this story, from the point of view of each of the characters. What is the meaning of belonging for each of them? What does the idea of belonging mean to you?

-Belonging to Ivan is being with Bob, Stella and Ruby.


On Wednesday, April 6, we will be meet in order to discuss Switch by Ingrid Law. This is the third companion book in the Scumble series. 

"Gypsy Beaumont's magical savvy switches to its opposite when she learns that her mean and decidedly non-magical grandma has Alzheimer's and is going to move in with her family" - summary

Please be sure to register for Book Club each month so that Miss Lisa knows how many snacks to buy! 

February Grades 3-4 Book Club: Scumble by Ingrid Law

For February's Book Club, we read Scumble by Ingrid Law. Cadence, Cassidy, Claire, Ellie, Isabella, Lillian and Maida were present. This is some of what we discussed, guided by questions on the author's website.


At the beginning of Scumble, readers learn that Ledger’s parents have postponed committing to attending Fish Beaumont’s wedding due to their fears about Ledger’s savvy. Of what are they afraid? Do you feel their fear is reasonable?

-It was close to his 13th birthday and his savvy of breaking things could have ruined everything. They were especially worried that he might ruin something at the ranch.
-Their fear was reasonable because it was a wedding.
-The book is awesome.

Ledger believes his father’s biggest dream is that Ledger’s savvy will make him lighting fast as a runner. Why does Ledger feel so disappointed when his savvy doesn’t give him this extraordinary ability? What does he fear about his father’s reaction?

-He feels like he's letting his dad down. He's not the good son his dad wished for.
-He thinks that his dad might get mad because he wanted to be able to run with him. And win the marathon.
-Ledger might also be disappointed because he wanted to be like his friend Brian.



Consider Uncle Autry’s ranch, the Flying Cattleheart. What are some specific elements about the ranch that make it so special? Is there a place that you find particularly magical and special? If so, explain what makes your place so important to you.



-The jars that Grandma Dollop has make it special.
-They have some of the endangered butterflies.
-Grandpa Bomba made the spot
-The tree that Sarah Jane's mom made
-They made a moat
-In Montana, at my Grandma and Grandpa's house, we have our own room of stuff to play with.
-I like Virginia because that's where a lot of my cousins are
-My special place is my bedroom because it's my place to be by myself sometimes
-Alaska because I have many relatives there
-I like going to my grandparents house because they have toys and an indoor pool
-The Newport Ice Skating Rink because I love to ice skate


Part of being a member of a “savvy” family is that “family rules said keep quiet” (p.4). Why is it so important that this “gift” remain a secret? What might be the consequences of others learning about the special savvies held by family members?  

-They might try to hurt the family members in order to find out more
-If a newsreporter finds out, they might put it in a newspaper and everyone will know about it
-They might murder them to find out why they have a savvy
-Someone could trick them into doing something that they wouldn't normally do
-They may be taken in to study them and their genes


Consider the savvies of Ledger’s extended family; if you could select one of these, which one would you chose? What makes that particular gift appealing to you? 

-Samson's invisibility because it would be good for hide and go seek
-I liked the mom in Ledger's family that could make anyone do whatever she wanted
-I would like to be like Rocket so when the power goes out, I can turn it back on
-I would control things with my hands and mind because I could scare people on Halloween


Ledger’s parents decide to leave him and his sister, Fedora, with Uncle Autry for a portion of the summer; what do you believe their motives are in doing so? Do you think they’ve made the right decision? 

-I wouldn't have left him there because they were wary of having Ledger go to the wedding in the first place
-He wrecked the barn


Describe Sarah Jane. Do you find her to be a likeable character? Why or why not? 

-Sometimes but sometimes not. She stole the jar.
-She's sassy
-She helped Ledger break into her dad's office
-She was so-so


Sarah Jane’s newspaper, the Sundance Scuttlebutt, is the source of much consternation on the part of her father. Why is he so determined to have Sarah Jane discontinue creating her work? 

-Because her savvy is writing and he doesn't want her knowing about it.


What can be guessed about Samson Beaumont’s choice to use his savvy—why do you believe he rarely “shows himself” to anyone but Grandpa Bomba? What does his willingness to be visible at the end of the story indicate?  

-He wanted to protect the butterfly house because Grandpa Bomba really liked it
-Samson isn't a child anymore


 
In what ways are Rocket and Ledger alike? How do these similarities interfere with their understanding of each other? 


-They destroy stuff so it's hard on them. They need to learn to control it.


Ledger’s sense of worth is largely based on what he believes his family expects of him. What are some specific things he does to slowly begin to believe in himself? What lessons do you believe Ledger learns along his journey?

-When he goes to the salvage yard, he learns to rebuild the motorcycle that he wrecked
-He learned to scumble his savvy.


Please rate this book between 1 and 5, with 5 being the best.

-4
-3
-4 1/2
-4
-4 3/4


We will meet on Wednesday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m. for the next book club. We will be reading The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

"When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life." - summary

Please pick up copies of this book at the Circulation Desk and be sure to register so that Miss Lisa knows how many people to expect.