Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Superfudge Discussion Questions

After reading Superfudge, answer the following discussion questions:

1. In what ways does the year in New Jersey affect each member of the family?

2. With a little brother like Fudge hogging the spotlight, Peter feels insignificant. Have you ever felt like "nothing"? Share a time that you felt unimportant and how you snapped out of that feeling.

3. What does Peter think of Tootsie's nickname? Do you think it fits her?

4. What is unique about Uncle Feather? Do you have a pet? Have you taught it tricks?

5. What do you think it would be like to grow up in Judy Blume's family?

If you liked Superfudge, try the other books in the series:

1. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
2. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
3. Superfudge
4. Fudge-a-mania
5. Double Fudge

Frindle Discussion Questions


After you have read Frindle, answer the following discussion questions:
1. Is it believable that "frindle" took off and become so well known? Why or why not?
2. "School," the author writes in Frindle, "was the perfect place to launch a new word." Why? What makes schools such good breeding grounds for fads? Do companies or community organizations ever use your school for promoting products or services? How?
3. Why does Mrs. Granger "expect to hear remarkable things" about Nick in the future? Can you predict-based on his creativity and his restless challenging of rules and conventions-what kind of remarkable things he might go on to do?
4. Imagine that you are the reporter from the Wakefield Gazette, trying to get the scoop on the new word frindle. What questions would you ask Mrs. Granger? How would you convince the principal to give you the real story?

The Lightning Thief Discussion Questions


After you have read The Lightning Thief, answer the following discussion questions:
1. What does Percy discover about the Greek gods at Camp Half Blood? What do they have to do with the camp?
2. What does Percy's fight with Echidna reveal about his character? What new things does he discover about himself?
3. When describing the effects of the Mist, Chiron says, "Remarkable, really, the lengths humans will go to fit things into their version of reality." How is this true in the novel?
4. How does the last line of the prophecy - you shall fail to save what matters most in the end - come true? What do you think of this ending? Did Percy make the right choice?
If you would like to read the rest of the series, try:
2. The Sea of Monsters
3. The Titan's Curse
4. The Battle of the Labyrinth
5. The Last Olympian

A Crooked Kind of Perfect Discussion Questions


After you have read A Crooked Kind of Perfect, answer the following discussion questions:
1. Who was your favorite character and why?
2. What are some of the things most kids do that Zoe missed out on because of her dad's condition?
3. Do you think A Crooked Kind of Perfect uses exaggeration? Which situations seem larger than life? Which situations seem familiar?
4. Do you play a musical instrument? If yes, who chose the instrument? If no, what instrument would you like to play?
5. Do you think that Zoe was happy with how her performance turned out?
6. This was Linda Urban's first book. What do you think would happen in a sequel if she wrote it?

Number the Stars Discussion Questions


After you have read Number the Stars, answer the following discussion questions:
1. How are Annemarie and Ellen alike? How are they different?
2. How does Annemarie behave around the German soldiers? How does Kristi? Why might the sisters behave so differently?
3. What could the people of Denmark do to help the Jewish people?
4. Do you think Annemarie is brave? Why?
5. Why does Annemarie want to wear Ellen's necklace until she returns?
6. What does the title Number the Stars mean? Does the title fit the story?
7. Number the Stars won the Newbery Award for writing in 1990. Why do you think this was a good selection?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Maniac Magee Discussion Questions


After reading Maniac Magee answer the following discussion questions:

1. What does “maniac” mean? What do you think a character with this name might be like? Is Maniac Magee similar?

2. What would you do if you were all on your own with no one to take care of
you?

3. How is Maniac just a regular kid? How is he a larger than life character?

4. Why do you think Maniac stays with the McNabs for as long as he does?

5. Why do you think Maniac does so much running?

6. Why do you think the book is broken into four sections? How are they different? How does Maniac change from the beginning to the end?

7. What are some legendary things Maniac does? Which was your favorite?

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Discussion Questions


After reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, answer the following discussion questions:

1. The story is told from Peter’s point of view. How would it be different if it were told from Fudge’s point of view?

2. With a little brother like Fudge hogging the spotlight, Peter feels insignificant. Have you ever felt like “nothing”? Share a time that you felt unimportant and how you snapped out of that feeling.

3. What were some of the tricks Peter and his parents played on Fudge to get him to behave properly? Was this fair to Fudge? Why or why not?

4. Compare the actions of Peter and the Yarbys, in the context of old-fashioned good manners. Are there different expectations of children and adults in terms of manners?

5. Why do you think Peter’s parents treat him differently than Fudge?

Rules Discussion Questions


After you have read Rules, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Are rules necessary in some situations? What good purposes to they serve? When can rules be a negative thing?

2. Do you think it’s true that “Leaving out isn’t the same as lying?” If not, is it ever true?

3. Some of Catherine’s rules are what we might call “unwritten rules”. They are comments on how people behave, such as “Sometimes people don’t answer because they didn’t hear you. Other times it’s because they don’t want to hear you.” How do people learn these rules? Why do we have them?

4. If Catherine were to write a rule at the very end of the book, what do you think it would be?

5. Is Catherine a good friend? Why or why not?



Fantastic Mr. Fox Discussion Questions


After reading Fantastic Mr. Fox, answer the following discussion questions:
1. What do you think of Mr. Fox? Do you admire him? What qualities do you
admire? Do you think he is wrong to take the chickens from the farmers?

2. How could Mr. Fox tell one farmer from another? How did he always know where they were hiding?

3. Why did the people laugh at the three farmers when the farmers destroyed the hill?

4. Would you be mad at Mr. Fox if you were Mr. Badger? Why or why not?

5. Why did Badger worry about what he and Mr. Fox were doing? Were they doing anything wrong? What makes you think so?

6. Can you imagine what Mr. Boggis, Mr. Bunce, and Mr. Bean will be feeling when they find out they have been outwitted by Fantastic Mr. Fox? What plans do you think they will make to
get their own back? How will Mr. Fox outwit them this time?

Monday, June 8, 2009

Mister Monday Discussion Questions

After reading Mister Monday, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Who is your favorite character so far: Arthur Penhaligon, Suzy Turquoise Blue, the piece of the Will, Sneezer, or someone else? Why?

2. How can you tell that Arthur is to be the hero?

3. The number 7 keeps making an appearance through the story-7 keys, 7 deadly sins, and 7 realms. Do you think that it has a significance?

4. Garth Nix is in talks to make a movie of Mister Monday. Who do you think should play Arthur? How about Suzy?

Mister Monday is the first book in the Keys to the Kingdom series. If you liked it, be sure to try:
-Grim Tuesday
-Drowned Wednesday
-Sir Thursday
-Lady Friday
-Superior Saturday
-Sunday’s book will be coming in
Spring 2010

The Giver Discussion Questions

After reading The Giver, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Jonas is chosen as the next Receiver of Memory. Is this an honor or a punishment?

2. If ignorance of the past is a benefit to the citizens of the community, why do you think that the Receiver of Memory exists?

3. The Chief Elder lists five characteristics that a Receiver must have: intelligence, integrity, courage, wisdom and the Capacity to See Beyond. Was Jonas a good choice for this position?

4. Do you agree with Jonas’s decision to leave the community? Why or why not?

5. How realistic is this society? Could it exist?

If you liked The Giver, try the other books in this series:
-Gathering Blue
-Messenger

Sideways Stories from Wayside School Discussion Questions

After you have read Sideways Stories from Wayside School, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Who is your favorite character and how would you describe him/her?

2. In Sideways Stories from Wayside School, children are punished in ridiculous ways for harmless behavior. Do you think that going home early on the kindergarten bus is an appropriate punishment for misbehavior in class? Why or why not? What would you
suggest as a punishment?

3. Would you like to have Mrs. Jewls for a teacher? Why or why not?

4. How are the chapters arranged in the book? Do you like this format?

5. Is Sideways Stories from Wayside School realistic fiction or fantasy? Why?

If you liked Sideways Stories from Wayside School, try the other books in the series:
-Wayside School is Falling Down
-Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger

Rapunzel's Revenge Discussion Questions

After reading Rapunzel’s Revenge, answer the following discussion questions:

1. This book is a mixture of multiple formats– graphic novel, western, and fairy tale. Does it work?

2. Could you tell the story without the illustrations? Can you read the story with only the illustrations?

3. Rapunzel becomes a superhero with her long hair. What type of superhero powers would you like?

4. The authors are working on a sequel called Calamity Jack. What do you think will happen to Jack in this story?

For some extra fun, there are Rapunzel’s Revenge paper dolls available at http://spacestationnathan.com/rapunzelpaperdolls.pdf./cmn-dc/profiles/users/lmulvenna/My%20Documents/Binders

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Discussion Questions

After reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid, answer the following discussion questions:

1. The subtitle of this book is "A Novel in Cartoons." How do the cartoons help convey the message of the book?

2. Could you tell the story without the illustrations? Can you read the story with only the illustrations?

3. Would you have touched the cheese?

4. Predict Greg's future! Imagine what Greg will be like when he is 35. What kind of job will he have? Will he get married? What will he be like as a dad?

The Maze of Bones Discussion Questions

After reading The Maze of Bones, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Would you have taken the million dollars or the clue?

2. Do you think that William McIntyre is a good or bad guy? Why?

3. Which team do you think has the best chance of winning? Why?

4. Are there any specific players you would want on your team? What qualities would you look for in team members?

For more fun, visit http://www.the39clues.com/ for your chance to solve the puzzle.

The Tale of Despereaux Discussion Questions

After reading The Tale of Despereaux, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Who was your favorite character and why?

2. Does Despereaux succeed in his quest to save the Princess? What is the outcome of his quest?

3. What do you think will happen next with the characters when the story is finished? Will Despereaux have other adventures? Does anything change in the dungeon?

4. What was unusual about Despereaux's appearance compared to other mice? Do you think that the author gave Despereaux these unusual traits for a reason?

Love That Dog Discussion Questions

After reading Love That Dog, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Did you have a favorite poem in Love That Dog?

2. Love That Dog is written in journal form with poems. Why do you think the author chose to write it like this?

3. What makes Miss Stretchberry a good teacher? How does she teach?

4. Look at the poem My Yellow Dog on page 37. Would you have called this a poem?