October Grades 3-4 Book Club: The Friendship War

 

For the October's Grades 3-4 Book Club, we read the book The Friendship War by Andrew Clements. Cameron, Chase and Kaylee were present. Here's what we discussed. 

What is Grace’s relationship like with Grampa? How would you describe Grace’s family?

 -They get along really well. Sometimes she and Ben don't get along.

On page 20, Grace says her room is like a museum of her life. Why does she collect things? What value do they hold for her? Would they hold the same value for someone else?

 -Her things hold memories.

-Because her grandpa does it.

 

Buttons become valuable at Grace’s school. What makes the buttons valuable to other students? What gives something value?

-Prettiness

-How much they cost

-Something that you like is valuable

What are some ways that Grace’s and Ellie’s personalities are different? What experiences may have made them this way?

-They don't always have the same teachers

-Ellie always gets her way

-Grace lets Ellie gets her way

 

In the beginning of the story, Grace questions how Ellie can be her best friend if Ellie makes her so upset. What are some important qualities in a friendship? Does Ellie have these qualities at the beginning of the book? Does she by the end? What causes the change?

 -everyone has to cut down trees to save the environment (make new houses for homeless people)

-people should agree with each other most of the time but not all time

-Ellie changes a little bit. 

 

What lessons do Grace and Ellie learn? How do they learn these lessons? Who do you think changes the most?

-Social studies

-How to be a better friend

-Ellie changes more because she gets meaner and meaner but then nicer and nicer 

 

Discuss: Have you ever struggled in a friendship or had conflict over a fad or trend at school? Explain.

 -I have struggled with a friend

-I struggle with friends as well. One friend always wants to do what he wants to do. And he always interrupts.  

-Last year, Pokemon cards were a fad at school. People traded them all the time.

-The buttons broke friendships, just like the broken pinwheel button. 

Who is the meanest character in the book? How are they mean? The nicest? What makes them nice?

 Ellie is the meanest. Hank is the nicest. Grace is in between.

 

Do you think events like those in the book could ever happen? Why or why not?

 -Yeah, every day.

 

Would you call the end of the book a happy one? Why or why not?

 -Happy because they are all friends again.

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

-4 across the board

For Book Club in November, we will be reading Frindle by Andrew Clements.

When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.

Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, November 18 at 3:00 p.m. Please note the later date due to the Veteran's Day Wednesday holiday the week before. Books will be available behind the Circulation Desk within a week. As always, snacks and good conversation will be provided at Book Club!