March Grades 3-4 Book Club: Winterhouse

For March's Book Club, we read Winterhouse by Ben Guterson. Caitlin, Kailynn, Mira, and Mark were present. This is some of what we talked about.

Please use one word to describe your first impression of Elizabeth at the beginning of this book:

-nerdy
-curious
-kind
-smart
-adventurous
-interesting
-interested

Later in the book:

-nosy
-sneaky
-deceptive

Who was your favorite character in Winterhouse?  Why?:

-Elizabeth and Freddy
-Elizabeth because she was the main character
-Elizabeth because she was in all the scenes
-Elizabeth because she was adventurous

Who was your least favorite character in this book?  Why?:

-Gracella because she was evil
-Gracella wanted to destroy Winterhouse
-Gracella was envious of Norbridge

What's your favorite scene of the story?:

-Walking into Winterhouse for the first time
-The scene where the light shattered outside of Gracella's room
-When Gracella was in the coffin
-How the whole book was a puzzle. And how the necklace was the key.

Did you think that Elizabeth was a bad person because she often lied to Freddy and Norbridge?:

-No, because she did it for good reasons
-She lied to save Winterhouse

Let's talk a little bit about Gracella. Was she evil or just misunderstood?:

-She was both
-She was misunderstood because she just really wanted to be in charge of Winterhouse. She was jealous of Norbridge.
-She did evil things and not really for a good reason but you can understand her motivations

Do you think that Elizabeth is a good friend to Freddy? How about Freddy to Elizabeth?:

-Yes, because she's nice
-They're equals
-Freddy is a good friend to Elizabeth.
-He tries to save her from so many things and she doesn't listen.

How does Elizabeth change by the end of the story? Is she a different person than when it started?:

-She is surprised because Norbridge is her grandfather.
-She is happier because she's gotten a new family and doesn't have to go back to her awful aunt and uncle.
-She's a better person at the end.
-She's got a better family.

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

-Be patient.
-Don't be like Freddy.

Please use one word to describe your last impression of Winterhouse, the place:

-creepy
-magical
-spooky
-beautiful/creepy

What did you think about the ending of the book? Do you think there will be a sequel or did the author complete the story in one book?: 

-Good

Rate this book from 1-5:

-Four 5s!

For the Grades 3-4 Book Club in April, we will be reading The Collectors by Jacqueline West.

Van has always been an outsider. Most people don't notice him. But he notices them. And he notices the small trinkets they drop, or lose, or throw away--that's why his collection is full of treasures. Then one day, Van notices a girl stealing pennies from a fountain, and everything changes. He follows the girl, Pebble, and uncovers an underground world full of wishes and the people who collect them. Apparently not all wishes are good and even good wishes often have unintended consequences--and the Collectors have made it their duty to protect us. But they aren't the only ones who have their eyes on the world's wishes--and they may not be the good guys, after all.

We will meet on Wednesday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk. Please do not forget to register so Miss Lisa knows how many participants to expect!