December Grades 3-4 Book Club: Wishtree

For December's Book Club, we read Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Claire and Mark were present. Here's some of what we talked about. We were guided by questions posed on the Wishtree website.

Discuss Red's comment: "Making others feel safe is a fine way to spend your days" (p. 26). How does the tree make others feel safe? What does this comment tell you about the personality of the tree?

-he's wise and old and cares about other people; not so much about himself
-he lets animals burrow in him and protects them in the hollows
-giving shade to the animals


-I like the way that the author named the animals (nice smelling things for skunk names, the opossums were named after things that scared them, the raccoons were named "You" "You" and "You" and the owls were distinguished names).
Why do the animals feel comfortable with Samar? Why does Bongo give her gifts? What qualities of her nature make the animals trust her? Why do these qualities make it harder for her to make friends with other children?

-Because she's quiet and shy.
-She's calm.
-Because she's nice.
-It's harder for her to make friends because she's so quiet



Red compares the neighborhood to a garden, "wild and tangled and colorful" (p. 54). Why does the tree compare the people in the area to a garden? Why is the neighborhood not welcoming to Samar's family?

-their not nice
-because Samar's family is Muslim



Describe the boy who carves a word in the tree. What does the author tell you about him and what assumptions can you make about his character? What kind of effect does this word have on those who see it?

-he was weird
-he seemed to be careless
-he didn't care about anyone else but himself
-they're mad



Why does Francesca want to cut the tree down? What do the police officers, Max and Sandy, think on her reasons? 

-she doesn't want to deal with it anymore
-the underwear in the tree on Wishing Day and the daily plumbing issues from the roots



Discuss Red's question, "How does friendship happen?" (p. 82). What is Bongo's answer? What makes Red and Bongo special to each other? What qualities do you look for in a friend? 

-they have stuff in common
-they're both somewhat quiet
-Bongo is kind of reckless and she doesn't want wise old sayings; she wants action
-they complement each other very well



Why does Red decide to speak to the children? How does this act change their relationship to the tree and to each other? 

-it surprises them because they're like "are you talking to me??!!"
-it gives them something in common: is this a dream? This is really happening
-he decided to speak to them because they're nice people and probably won't tell anyone




How does Stephen help to make a difference in the neighborhood on Wishing Day? What is the message the children deliver with their wishes? What makes Francesca change her mind about cutting down the tree?

-be nice
-"Stay"
-it was part of the family
-the tree had been there for generations


Discuss Red's statement: "I wanted to make a difference, just a little difference, before I left this lovely world" (p. 126). What difference does Red make by talking to Stephen and Samar? What do you think you can do to make a difference in this world?

-I can help people by mowing their lawns
-I can help animals


Rate from 1-5

-4
-4 1/2

For December's Book Club, we will be reading Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. We will be meeting on Wednesday, January 9 at 3:00 p.m.

"An old red oak tree tells how he and his crow friend, Bongo, help their human neighbors get along after a threat against an immigrant family is carved into the tree's trunk."-summary

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

January Grades 3-4 Book Club Suggestions

Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house.

It turns out she’s right.

Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He’s been waiting five years for her to come back, hiding in a closet like she told him to. He can’t remember who―or what―he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Now it’s time to keep that promise.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.

They aren’t friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Louie doesn't have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small creatures. So when his father brings home a sickly newborn mini donkey, he's determined to save him. He names him Winslow. Taking care of him helps Louie feel closer to his brother, Gus, who is far, far away in the army.

Everyone worries that Winslow won't survive, especially Louie’s quirky new friend, Nora, who has experienced loss of her own. But as Louie's bond with Winslow grows, surprising and life-altering events prove that this fragile donkey is stronger than anyone could have imagined.