January Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

 

Antihero by Kate Karyus Quinn 

"Piper Pajaro and Sloane MacBrute are two 13-year-old girls with very different lives but very similar secrets. Popular, outgoing Piper is strong. Like, ripping-the-doors-off-cars strong. She longs to be a superhero, even if she tends to leave massive messes in her wake. Snarky Sloane, on the other hand, is super smart. Like, evil-genius-smart. To help her family, she has to put those smarts to use for her villainous grandfather.

When a mission to steal an experimental technological device brings the two girls face-to-face with each other, the device sparks, and the two girls switch bodies! Now they must live in each other's shoes as they figure out a way to switch back."—Summary

Dear Super-Villains by Michael Northrop

"Peek inside the lives of DC’s infamous rogues in Dear Super-Villains, the sequel to Dear Justice League, where curious kids write to notorious scoundrels, asking them about life on the dark side.

How did Gorilla Grodd get so smart? Did Harley Quinn ever try a career in comedy? Why does Catwoman always lose to Batman?

Each chapter highlights members of the Legion of Doom in a sympathetic way that is relatable to kids. But look closely, and you may notice the baddies are up to something big! Will the Justice League show up in time to stop them? You’ll have to write into the Tip-line of Evil to find out!"—Goodreads

Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelan

"Let me tell you a secret about the Knights of the Round Table: they don’t have much to do. The realm is at peace, and dragons are few and far between. So Merlin decides to send the knights out on a real adventure to a world filled with the most terrible lizards of all: DINOSAURS!"—Goodreads

November Grades 3 & 4 Book Club: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel

For November's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley. Vivian, Xavier, Ben, Teddy, and Thomas were present for our discussion. Ms. Colleen used questions from the Educator's Guide to start our conversation.

For December's Book Club, we will be reading Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop.

"Does Superman ever make mistakes? What was Wonder Woman's eleventh birthday like? Does Aquaman smell like fish? In this new middle-grade graphic novel, iconic heroes are asked big and small questions, and when they are not busy saving the world, the Justice League even finds time to respond. Their honest and humorous answers will surprise and delight readers of any age, as it turns out that being a superhero is not too different from being a kid."—Summary

To register: visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280. We will gather in the Meeting Hall. Masks are required for this indoor event.

For New Book Club Members: At each session, the kids vote on a book to read together for the next month. Then, Miss Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

December Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

Antihero by Kate Karyus Quinn 

"Piper Pajaro and Sloane MacBrute are two 13-year-old girls with very different lives but very similar secrets. Popular, outgoing Piper is strong. Like, ripping-the-doors-off-cars strong. She longs to be a superhero, even if she tends to leave massive messes in her wake. Snarky Sloane, on the other hand, is super smart. Like, evil-genius-smart. To help her family, she has to put those smarts to use for her villainous grandfather.

When a mission to steal an experimental technological device brings the two girls face-to-face with each other, the device sparks and the two girls switch bodies! Now they must live in each other's shoes as they figure out a way to switch back."—Summary

Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop, illustrated by Gustavo Duarte

"Does Superman ever make mistakes? What was Wonder Woman's eleventh birthday like? Does Aquaman smell like fish? In this new middle-grade graphic novel, iconic heroes are asked questions, both big and small, and when they are not busy saving the world, the Justice League even finds time to respond. Their honest and humorous answers will surprise and delight readers of any age, as it turns out that being a superhero is not too different from being a kid."—Summary

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata

"Being a quadruplet can make it hard to stand out from the crowd. Becca's three brothers all have something that makes them... them. Jake has his music and dancing, Jammer plays hockey, and K.C. thinks they're all living in a simulation and doesn't see the point of doing much of anything. Becca is the only one with nothing to make her special.

But when she finds a tiny, sick piglet on the side of the road, Becca knows this is it. This is her thing. She names the piglet Saucy and between her own pleading and Saucy's sweet, pink face, Becca convinces her family to take her in. Soon, Saucy is as big a part of the family as anyone else—and getting bigger. With each pound Saucy gains, she becomes more capable of destroying the house and landing Becca in trouble.

Some tough decisions need to be made about Becca's pet, and her search for solutions brings to light exactly where Saucy came from. Turns out, there are a lot more scared piglets out there, and saving them may take Becca and her brothers finally doing something together."—Summary

November Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

 For November, we will be reading:

2022 RICBA Nominee

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley

"When JJ Jacobson convinced his mom to accept a surprise invitation to an all-expenses-paid weekend getaway at the illustrious Barclay Hotel, he never imagined that he'd find himself in the midst of a murder mystery. He thought he was in for a run-of-the-mill weekend ghost hunting at the most haunted spot in town, but when he arrives at the Barclay Hotel and his mother is blamed for the hotel owner's death, he realizes his weekend is going to be anything but ordinary.

Now, with the help of his new friends, Penny and Emma, JJ has to track down a killer, clear his mother's name, and maybe even meet a ghost or two along the way."—Summary

We will meet on Wednesday, November 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the Sydney Wright Room. To register, visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.

For New Book Club Members

At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Miss Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

Other suggestions:

The Leak: For the Love of Truth by Kate Reed Petty, illustrated by Andrea Bell

"Ruth Keller is brash and precocious; she argues with her dentist, her parents, and her teachers. So, when she discovers a strange black slime in the man-made lake of her suburban neighborhood, she decides to investigate. Fortified by the encouragement of those around her, Ruth seeks the truth at all costs, even if it means taking on the rich local country club owner, who she believes is responsible for the pollution. Between the teasing of former friends and a sudden viral spotlight, Ruth discovers how difficult it is for a journalist to take a stand for what's right in the face of critique and controversy."—Summary

Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop, illustrated by Gustavo Duarte

"Does Superman ever make mistakes? What was Wonder Woman's eleventh birthday like? Does Aquaman smell like fish? In this new middle-grade graphic novel, iconic heroes are asked questions both big and small, and when they are not busy saving the world, the Justice League even finds time to respond. Their honest and humorous answers will surprise and delight readers of any age, as it turns out that being a superhero is not too different from being a kid."—Summary

August Grades 3 & 4 Book Club: Klawde, Evil Alien Warlord Cat

For July's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read the book Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth.

1. The book is written from two points of view. Whose?

2. Who is our protagonist? Is there more than one? 

3. What planet is Klawde from? How does he arrive on Earth? How does he become Raj's pet? 

4. What is Klawde's real name? Who names him Klawde?

5. Where does Raj's mom send Raj? 

6. Who does Raj meet at Camp Eclipse?

7. How does Raj's relationship with Klawde change Raj?

8. What does Klawde use his litterbox for?

9. What happens at Survival Night?

10. How does Klawde return to his planet? What happens when he gets there? 

11. What was your favorite part of the book? Your least favorite?

12. How would you describe this book to a friend?

For August's Book Club, we will be reading:

Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico

We will be meeting on Wednesday, August 11 at 3:30 PM. Book Club will be held outside on the lawn—Swinburne Street side. In case of inclement weather, Book Club will move indoors. Participants will be notified by noon, the day of, if the location changes. 

To register, visit the circulation desk or email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com 

Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your copy!

August Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico

"Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .

That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status- super-bored), her mom and dad (status- busy with science), her brother (status- has other plans), and . . .

. . . magic?

In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting.

Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought." — Summary

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley

"When JJ Jacobson convinced his mom to accept a surprise invitation to an all-expenses-paid weekend getaway at the illustrious Barclay Hotel, he never imagined that he'd find himself in the midst of a murder mystery. He thought he was in for a run-of-the-mill weekend ghost hunting at the most haunted spot in town, but when he arrives at the Barclay Hotel and his mother is blamed for the hotel owner's death, he realizes his weekend is going to be anything but ordinary.

Now, with the help of his new friends, Penny and Emma, JJ has to track down a killer, clear his mother's name, and maybe even meet a ghost or two along the way." — Summary

Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman

"While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space." — Summary

June Grades 3 & 4 Book Club: From the Desk of Zoe Washington

 

For June's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read the book From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Jenae Marks. This title is Rhode Island Children's Book Award nominee for 2022. The below questions are from Middle Grade at Heart. 

1. Zoe wants to become the first Black girl to win the Kids Bake Challenge! and points out that she’s never seen many Black pastry chefs in cookbooks or on TV. Have you noticed a lack of diversity in certain careers? Why do you think that is, and what do you think can be done to change that?

2. In one scene, Zoe feels judged by a white woman who sees Zoe, who is black, with her white stepfather. Have you ever felt the need to defend something that wasn’t actually wrong because someone judged you? What did you do? How did that make you feel?

3. At first, Zoe refuses to tell Trevor why she’s upset with him. Do you think that was fair? When she did explain, whose side of the story did you connect with most? Have you ever said something you didn’t mean because you felt pressured to fit in, like Trevor? Or had someone hurt you in their attempt to fit in, like Zoe? What did you do? 

4. Zoe’s experience at the bakery internship doesn’t start the way she expects it to. Have you ever been excited about something, only to be disappointed? How did it turn out in the end?

5. Were you surprised when Zoe’s grandma agreed to keep Zoe’s letter writing a secret? Do you think it was the right thing for her grandmother to do? Why or why not?

6. Zoe is shocked when she reads stories of people who were wrongfully convicted and sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. How did you feel reading that? 

7. Zoe and Trevor talk about how they’ve each had discussions with their parents: “...because I’m black, I have to be extra careful around the police. Stuff like that.” If you’re a person of color, have you ever had that discussion? How did it make you feel? If you’re white, how did you feel reading that? What do you think it’s like to feel that, because of the color of your skin, you can’t trust the very people who are supposed to be helping and protecting you? 

8. As you read, how did you feel about Marcus? Did you believe he was guilty or innocent? Did your thoughts about Marcus change at all as you learned more about his story and the facts of what happened?

For July's Book Club, we will be reading:

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat (Book #1) by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

"Klawde, the exiled ruler of the planet Lyttyrboks, and Raj, who just moved from Brooklyn to tiny Elba, Oregon, forge an unlikely friendship as they find their footing in a strange new world." — Source of summary not specified

We will be meeting on Wednesday, July 14 at 3:30 PM. Book Club will be held outside on the lawn—Swinburne Street side. In case of inclement weather, Book Club will move indoors. Participants will be notified by noon, the day of, if the location changes. 

To register, visit the circulation desk or email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com 

Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your copy!