The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Discussion Questions

After reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Who first caused Edward Tulane to be created?

2. Do you have a favorite toy now or did you when you were younger? Why is (was) it your favorite?

3. Why does Pellegrina tell the story about a princess who loves no one and is turned into a warthog by a witch to Abilene and Edward?

4. What happens to Edward's heart during this time period? Why do you think his heart is changed?

5. This book is Edward's story, but all of the people who take him in have their own stories, too. Which was your favorite story and why?

The Landry News Discussion Questions

After reading The Landry News, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Why would this story open up with a copy of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States? Why is this an important amendment? Do we still use it today?

2. Before Cara came to Denton Elementary School, she wrote a newspaper in her old school. What motivated her to start that newspaper? What was its tone?

3. Mr. Larson was stung by Cara's first editorial, but The Landry News ended up reviving his love of teaching. How?

4. Mr. Larson's students know very little about his life outside of school. How much do you know about your teachers? What do you imagine they do on their own time?

5. Why is the principal so upset by the "Lost and Found" article in The Landry News? Would you be?

The Graveyard Book Discussion Questions

After reading The Graveyard Book, answer the following discussion questions:

1. How did Nobody's parents try to protect him when he first arrived in the graveyard?

2. How did the residents of the graveyard decide on the baby's name?

3. What is "the freedom of the graveyard"? What powers does it give Bod?

4. If you could learn to fade or to dreamwalk, which would you choose and why?

5. If you were Scarlett, would you rather remember your experiences with Bod or forget them?

6. Do you think Neil Gaiman is trying to make a point with this book? If so, what point do you think he's trying to make?

Al Capone Does My Shirts Discussion Questions

After you have read Al Capone Does My Shirts, answer the following discussion questions:

1. During his first night on Alcatraz Island, how does Moose Flanagan sleep?

2. What do you think causes Moose's hives? Why do they get worse? What makes them get better?

3. What kind of relationship does Moose have with his father? With his mother? Will this change when Natalie goes to school?

4. What would it be like to live on Alcatraz? Would you like to live there?

5. How did Natalie really get accepted into the Esther P. Marinoff school? Do you think Al Capone had anything to do with it?

6. From beginning to the end of the novel, which characters seem to show signs of changing? How do they change? Do you think these changes will last?

The Capture Discussion Questions

After reading The Capture, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Owlets broght to the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls are told they are going to be taught the Truth. What is the Truth? Is there a difference between the Truth that is learned and the truth that is told?

2. The owlets are told that no questions are allowed. Would this be difficult for you?

3. Some of the words used in the story are not real words. What are some that you found? Do you have any words that you use that are not real?

4. if you look at a list of characters, you will see that Kathryn Lasky used a variety of different owls. For example, Jatt and Jutt are both long-eared owls. Do you think that the different kinds of owls have different characteristics?

If you would like to read more of the series, try:

2. The Journey

3. The Rescue

4. The Siege

5. The Shattering

Lawn Boy Discussion Questions

After reading Lawn Boy, answer the following discussion questions:


1. What is the main character's name? Why do you think the author does not give him a name? Would you have given him a name? If so, what would it be?

2. What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?

3. Did you like how Lawn Boy got Arnold back? Would you have gone to the police?

4. What would you do with $480,000?

5. Do you think Lawn Boy will keep mowing lawns for the rest of his life? Why or why not?

If you enjoyed Lawn Boy, look for its sequel-Lawn Boy Returns.

Clementine Discussion Questions

After reading Clementine, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Clementine does a lot of things that get her into trouble. Is she a bad kid? Why or why not?

2. What names does Clementine call her brother? Why? Can you think of some names for him?

3. Margaret and Clementine are best friends, but they are very different. What are some ways they are different? Why do you think that this friendship works?

4. What are some of the ideas that Clementine and her father came up with in The Great Pigeon War? How do they solve this problem?

5. If you got to spend the afternoon with Clementine, what would you want to do together?

For more adventures of Clementine, try:

• The Talented Clementine
• Clementine's Letter
• Clementine, Friend of the Week
  

The Gollywhopper Games Discussion Questions

After reading The Gollywhopper Games, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Would this story have been the same if Gil's father had not been arrested or fired from the toy company?

2. Would you have taken the money Bert Golliwop offered Gil in the bathroom to leave the games?

3. Which task from the Gollywhopper Games was your favorite? Why?

4. If you could choose one character to be friends with in real life, who would that be and why?

5. What would you do if you had won the Gollywhopper Games?

If you liked reading The Gollywhopper Games, try reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Ramona the Pest Discussion Questions

After you have read Ramona the Pest, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Are Ramona and Howie friends? Ramona and Susan? Why or why not?

2. Ramona did not like her first day of school. Do you remember your first day of school? Did you like it? Why or why not?

3. Would you say Miss Binney is a good teacher? Give examples to support your answer.

4. What about sharing does Ramona feel adults don't understand? Can you name some things that can't be shared?

5. Does Ramona like being a kindergarten dropout and staying home every day?

6. Does Ramona remind you of someone you know? Is Ramona a pest? Why or why not?

7. Do you think it would be hard work being Ramona?

For more adventures of Ramona, try:

1. Beezus and Ramona
2. Ramona the Pest
3. Ramona the Brave
4. Ramona and Her Father
5. Ramona and Her Mother
6. Ramona Quimby, Age 8
7. Ramona Forever
8. Ramona's World
   

Toys Go Out Discussion Questions

After reading Toys Go Out, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Why are the toys left in?

2. Do you have a favorite toy now or did you when you were younger? Why is (was) it your favorite?

3. Lumphy would rather be warned about something that he won't like. Would you? Why or why not?

4. Do you think the Little Girls love one toy over the others? Why or why not?

5. As you saw with the toys, sometimes it is difficult to find the "right" birthday present. What was the best birthday present that you have ever received? What was the best birthday present you have ever given?

6. Stingray and his friends discuss what it means to be grown-up in chapter 6. What do you think it means to be grown-up?

If you liked Toys Go Out, try its sequel: Toy Dance Party by Emily Jenkins

Sea of Monsters Discussion Questions

After you have read The Sea of Monsters, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Why does Percy ahve to change schools every year?

2. Why is Percy willing to risk everything to rescue Grover? Would you do the same for a friend?

3. What do the Sirens reveal about a person? What do you think that they would reveal about you?

4. What mythical creature described in this book would you least like to meet in person?

5. Which of the tools described would you most like to have?

If you would like to read the rest of the series, try:

1. The Lightning Thief

3. The Titan's Curse

4. The Battle of the Labyrinth

5. The Last Olympian

Ida B Discussion Questions

After you have read Ida B., answer the following discussion questions:

1. Why does Ida B go "talk" with the old tree when the young trees in her family's apple orchard tell her that hard times are headed her way?

2. Why does Ida B feel so upset that Ms. Myers, her kindergarten teacher, wants her to go by the name Ida instead of Ida B?

3. Ida B's teacher, Ms. Washington, wisely doesn't push Ida B to make friends or join games at recess. How does she finally break through Ida B's cold heart?

4. After Ida B makes her rounds and apologies to all those she had hurt by being mean, her attitude changes. Do Ida B's actions change as a result of her softer heart?

5. What do you imagine will happen to Ida B after the last chapter? Will she make friends?

Beezus and Ramona Discussion Questions

After you have read Beezus and Ramona, answer the following discussion questions:

1. Ramona's favorite book is The Littlest Steam Shovel. What is your favorite book?

2. What does your family mean to you? Does anyone in your family ever annoy you?

3. Which do you think is better-being the younger sister or the older sister (or brother)? Why?

4. Ramona invites a lot of children to a party withouut asking her mom's permission because she says, "When I ask you won't let me do things." Is this a good reason? What do you think of the party that Mrs. Quimby and Beezus put together?

5. Beezus envies Ramona for her imagi9nation. How does Miss Robbins discourage beezus at first? How does she later help Beezus develop her imagination?

6. When Mother and Aunt Beatrice tell what they did to each other, Beezus realizes she'll look back and find things Ramona and she did to each other funny, too. What do you think they'll laugh about when they grow up?

For more adventures of Beezus and Ramona, try:
2. Ramona the Pest
3. Ramona the Brave
4. Ramona and Her Father
5. Ramona and Her Mother
6. Ramona Quimby, Age 8
7. Ramona Forever
8. Ramona's World