Book Club Breakfast


We will meet to discuss "Wonder" on Tuesday April 8th at 7:20 in my room.  Parents, teachers, and students are all welcome to discuss the book.  I will provide some breakfast refreshments.  What a great way to start the day :)


Please let me know if you plan to attend so that I can have enough refreshments for everyone!

Check out some pictures from our author visit with K.W. Wilson last week.  We had such a great time with him!

Part Five: Justin


Seems like Justin is a pretty cool guy.  He fits in very well with the family and is a good friend/boyfriend to Via.  I have a feeling he's going to be good for Auggie and Jack as well. :) One thing that stuck out to me in this chapter was that no letters were capitalized. I'm trying to think of why the author may have chosen to do that.  Any ideas??? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts

Part Four: Jack


Now, I must admit when I looked at the title of this part I was instantly reminded of how he made Auggie feel on Halloween, and I was MAD!  I was really interested to hear his point of view though. As I continued to read Jack began to grow on me.  I started to sympathize with him, even though I really didn't like how he treated Auggie.  But everyone makes mistakes right?  I know that I've said things I didn't mean before, and I'm thankful that I've had friends and family that have forgiven me.  Do you think it was the right move for Auggie to forgive Jack?


What did you all think of what happened between Julian and Jack?  Do you think he deserved to be punched in the face?  I can understand how frustrated that Jack was with Julian saying such horrible things about Auggie, who was such a nice person!  He felt that he needed to stick up for him in that moment.  I'm glad he apologized after and didn't get expelled.


I'm starting to get a good idea of why Julian is so nasty.  It seems as though it may be a family trait?  It's sometimes easy to understand why kids can be nasty, maybe they just aren't mature enough to realize what is right and wrong.  But for an adult to treat Auggie's acceptance into this school the way Julian's family does just doesn't seem right at all, and frankly, it makes me very upset.  Why do you think they are acting this way?


This book is well on its way to becoming my new favorite!!! I can barely put it down.

Part 3: Summer

If you have not read up to page 132 don't read on :)

I think Summer may be one of my favorite characters in this book.  Middle school is a very tough time, and Summer realized that it may be that much more difficult for Auggie, and befriended him.  She was a good friend to him when many people were too afraid or scared to be around him.  I cannot imagine that this was an easy task either.  Although we've learned what a normal and awesome kid Auggie is, getting used to what he looks like seems that it may be difficult as well.  Do you think you would be able to befriend Auggie like Summer did?

Part Two: Via

If you have not finished up to page 117, do not read :)

For as tough as a life as Auggie has, I can only imagine how difficult life is for Via.  Auggie requires so much extra attention from their parents, I can see how sometimes she may feel left in the dust.   I admire her strength because she doesn't seem to let it get to her that her parents give her brother more attention. I loved the part when she described her time with her grandmother, I think this was a very important relationship for Via.


I thought her reference to her family as a solar system and Auggie being the sun, was very interesting. She feels that the entire family's life revolves around Auggie, do you think that is accurate?  I'm not sure I could be as patient and understanding as Via. Although, she does mention there may be a shift in the galaxy this year...what do you think that means for the family?

Part One: August

Spoiler Alert!

If you haven't finished part one (up to page 80) don't read any further :)

First of all,  Natalie Merchant's song "Wonder" (was a quote at the beginning of part one) was one of my FAVORITE songs growing up.  I had (and still have) her CD in my car!! But anyways as I was reading this first part I couldn't help but notice how well the lyrics fit in with Auggie.  I found a video that had her singing and the lyrics.  Check it out and let me know if you agree!



Relates pretty well, huh?  Anyways,  I just really love Auggie and his family.  They all seem like people I'd want to surround myself with, they are caring, thoughtful, and kind.  My heart broke for Auggie on Halloween.  Kids can be so cruel, and the ones that are closest to you can certainly hurt you the most.  I've been trying to think about what I would have done in this situation if I were Auggie.  I definitely would have been equally upset, but I haven't decided what my actions would be next...  What would you do have done if you were Auggie and heard Jack and Julian saying such HORRIBLE things about you?

Can't wait to hear from all of you :)

 

 

 

My little bloggers :)

 

We had such a great time...looking forward to seeing more faces for the next book!

 

 

New Book Club!

Hi Everyone!

Here's the a trailer for our new book- I hope many more of you join this time around.  We had a great time.  If you'd like to order the book I will be placing an order next week..just see me for an order form.

:) Miss B

Hi Everyone!  I know that we have had some people still purchasing the book, and reading and some already finished. How great is this?!  So, here's what I'm thinking we should do for the rest of this book club.  I think everyone should continue reading until they finish.  We will set up a time to discuss in school (maybe a breakfast? or after school?) if you'd like.  Post and let me know what you would prefer! Let's try to set this up for after Thanksgiving break

I'd love to see more people blogging about the book so I am going to be at school early on MONDAY NOVEMBER 25th at 7:30 am. If anyone would like to come in and get help setting up and blogging please come in then- I just ask that you bring your gmail username and password and let me know that you are coming in so that I can reserve enough computers!  Hope to see you then...


I also found this video- it is an interview with the author and character Salva..I thought it was pretty cool to see the character we have been following in the book.  Let me know what you think :)

A Few Announcements

Hi everyone!  So happy to see so many posts, I think this is such a fun way for us to communicate outside of school about literature!

Just a few reminders...

Scholastic Book Orders close TODAY (November 8th) for any middle school students.  I will have another order form to put through before Christmas. Thank you to everyone that ordered :)

Students in grades 4-6: BIC Writing Contest entries must be to me by November 22nd.  There are a lot of cool prizes for winners (iPads, Cash, iTunes Gift Card).  Any questions please feel free to come see me.

Book club bloggers....look for a new post early next week :)

Chapters 1-5: Food For Thought

Wow...what a powerful first few chapters.  I found myself really sympathizing with these two characters and how different, yet difficult situations they both face.  I'm also wondering how these two may begin to intertwine...there must be a reason the author chose these two people, even though they are separated by over twenty years.  I can't wait to read more.  Anyways...below are some questions to ponder after these chapters. Please, feel free to post responses, thoughts, and more questions :)

Now that we’ve read Chapters 1 through 5 in the text, what is one image that stays in your mind about how time, culture, or place has influenced Nya or Salva?

 

Salva’s character is developing as the story progresses. What is one thing about Salva’s character that you think is changing?

 

If you could ask Nya one question about her life, what would you ask her? Why?

 

 

If you could ask Salva one question about his life, what would you ask him? Why?

 

 

 

side note: it may be easier to comment if you click on the post "Chapters 1-5: Food For Thought" under the Blog Archive Section on the side tab :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Club Update.. Check out the book trailer for A Long Walk To Water..

Middle School Book Orders

We know we all love Scholastic Book Orders....

 

I've set up an account for any middle school students who would like to participate in scholastic book orders.  The fall book order deadline is Friday November 8th. All ordering will be done online, so please do not send in cash or checks to school.  Click on the link below to get started.

 

Thank you :-)

 

https://orders.scholastic.com/2E1WI

 

 

Information on Blogger's Book Club


Each month I will choose a young adult novel to read.  I'll set a schedule for reading and post discussion questions on this page.  Any students who would like to read the book that month can comment on this page.  We will wrap up monthly blogger's book club with a fun activity at school.  All are encouraged and welcome to join :)

If anyone has suggestions for book club be sure to drop me a note on my blog or in my mailbox at school!

October's Book:  

A Long Walk to Water 

A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

looking for reviews?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7981456-a-long-walk-to-water