Wednesday, January 8, 2020

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!

Sunday, January 5, 2020

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.

May Grades 3 & 4 Book Suggestions

One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko "Fifth grade is not for amateurs, according to Liam. Luckily, he knows that being more than one-t...