Counting by 7s by Holly Sloan

It is Mark Twain Nominee Monday! 

Here is the Nominee & the discussion questions of the week: 

Counting by 7's 

By: Holly Sloan 

The Story 

Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.
 
Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone. Told from four different viewpoints, Willow must overcome her grief and find a new family. 

Also, check out this great book trailer!

My Thoughts 

This reminded me a lot of the books Wonder and Out of My Mind. Since it exhibits many of the same qualities of these books, I think that is why my tweens are flocking to it.

It is a very popular one at my library, but I have to admit, I had some trouble with this one. I just did not feel like it was realistic at all. I don't want to give too much away, but I wish the author made the character go through more of a struggle. I just felt like everything worked out too perfectly, but maybe after all the great reviews I read on this I expected too much & it didn't even out!



Please don't get me wrong though, I do think that there are some worth while themes in the book that are important. For instance, I think a lot of tweens enjoy this book because it hits on the aspect of not fitting in. It also touches on how everyone tries to put people into categories and giving them labels.




 The majority of this book is how the characters deal with these struggles. I think this is something that many of our tweens deal with on a daily basis. In this aspect, I do feel like this makes this book a worth while read for this age group. I think it is especially important to us as educators to use this book in our discussions to try & open door to discuss some of these feeling and hardships.

Discussion Questions 

What makes Willow different?

Is Dell a good counselor? Why does he take interest in Willow?

Pattie does not have much to offer Willow. Why does she agree to take Willow in? Is she the right person to take care of Willow?

After the social worker does the house check, Patti says: “What we expect rarely occurs; what we don’t expect is what happens.” What does she mean by this? Is this true?

Why did they think Willow cheated on her test? Could Dell have changed their mind? Why didn’t he? Why didn’t Willow tell her parents?

How does gardening & running help Willow heal?

Mai believes that her acorn is lucky & her mom, Patti, believes that wearing red finger nail polish is lucky. Do you think that it was luck that changed their situation around? Does luck exist or is it what you make of your situation?

How does Willow change the people around her? How does Willow change throughout the course of the book? How does she address her grief throughout the book?

What is significant about the number 7 in the book?

Willow compares her life to a plant. How is her life like a plant? Willow tries to not set down roots. What does this mean? Does end up doing so anyway?

Willow says that giving in is different than giving up. What does she mean by this? Is this true? Willow also says it is impossible to put people in categories (which Dells does) is this true?

Books like this one 

Until next time,

Pamela 

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World 

By: Henry Clark 

The Story 

While waiting for their bus to come, Freak, River, and Fiona find a mysterious couch. As they sit down on the couch to relax before their bus comes, they find a crayon and a sock in the couch cushions. The next day, Fiona reports that she looked the crayon up online, and it is worth a lot of money! The kids agree to sell it online & split the money. As they post this ad up online, the kids unknowingly become involved in a plot to take over the world. Freak, River, and Fiona, must now try to stop invaders from another world from taking over the world before it is too late.

My Thoughts for Reader's Advisory 

This science fiction novel is one of a kind. One thing that sets this book apart is its political humor. It has a little bit of everything for both kids and adults. If you do pick it up, I would recommend going into it with an open mind. Like the title, this story line is a bit over the top. I had trouble with some of these outlandish plot lines, but I do see many of my tween boys enjoying this book. 

Discussion Questions 

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World

Discussion Questions

1. What is significant about the crayon? Even though the crayon is small, it caused a lot to happen! Has there ever been a time when something big happened over something small in your life?

2. Do you think River, Freak, and Fiona would be friends even if they did not go on this adventure? How did their friendship change over the course of the book?

3. Cell phones were used to control characters in the book. What message do you think the author is trying to send with this? Do you think that cell phones control us?

4. There is a lot of futuristic technologies in this book. If you could have any of the technologies from this book, which one would it be and why?

5. In this book, a parallel world exists. If you could create a world of your own, what would be in it?  

6. Who is the leader of this group? Describe some characteristics of a good leader. Can everyone be a leader in their own way?

7. Why doesn’t Alf tell the kids everything when he first meets them? Should the kids have trusted him? Would you? Why or why not?

8. At the end of the story, River sees his parents, who died several years before. Do you think he really saw them?

9. What will happen to River, Freak, and Fiona now? Do you think that Edward Disin is really gone?

10. In the book, the couch can teleport. If you could teleport anywhere, where would you go?

More Books Like This One 

Until next time, 

Pamela

Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody

Mark Twain Nominee Monday! 

Here is the nominee and discussion questions of the week: 

Will in Scarlet 

By Matthew Cody 

The Story

Will Shackley is the son of a lord.  While his father is away helping King Richard the Lionheart fight the crusades, Will prepares to take over as heir to the Shackley household. Then the unthinkable happens, his father is captured, and King John is threatening to take over the throne for good. Will’s family is caught in between, and Will is accused of a crime he did not commit. So Will runs away into the forest for safety. There he meets Rob and John Little. As Will befriends these men and becomes a part of a band of bandits named the Merry Men, Will helps Rob become the famous Robin Hood.  

My thoughts 

This book reads more like a historical fiction then a legend, and it is very different take on the story of Robin Hood! In reader's advisory, I would note three things: (1) Maid Marian pretends to be a boy named Much (2) Rob is an alcoholic (3) It contains a lot of violence.  I was expecting a story purely about Robin Hood, but this really is a story about Will and his revenge on King John’s men. In Will’s quest to get revenge, he impacts Rob & Rob changes his ways to become Robin Hood.

Due to this content, in reader’s advisory, I would recommend this to kids 12-and up.  It is an excellent story, but due to its violence and the character’s excessive drinking, I am going to skip this particular one for my book discussion outreach to our elementary schools. 

Although I do want to note that these elements are natural for this story. It is a story about outlaws after all! :) So please don't let these notes detour you from this book! I just want to note that for the sake of our Missouri Mark Twain Awards & for reader's advisory. 

 I do think that readers who enjoy historical fiction  & legend stories may enjoy this version of Robin Hood.  I thought it was a fun read, and I will be sure to recommend it to my older tweens and teens. It is very action packed!

Have you read Will in Scarlet? What did you think of it? 

Discussion Questions 

The Sheriff tells Will that one must stop doing what he wants & start doing what he has to. What does this mean? Does Will do things because he has to in the book or does Will do more things because he wants to?

When the sheriff comes to take Will away to go to trial, his uncle wants him to escape. Why didn’t Will leave like his uncle wanted him to? Was this the right thing to do?

Rob claims that how you say something is just as important as what you say. What does he mean by this?

Why did Much pretend to be a boy? Do you think that if she was honest with the Merry Men would have accepted her?

Why did Will save the Sheriff at the very end of the book? Should he have left him?

How did Will help Rob to become Robin Hood? How do you think Rob would have turned out without Will’s help?

Do you think that Will’s dad will ever return? If Will got his position back as a nobleman, how do you think he would treat the peasants differently?

Are the Merry Men good people? How are they bad? How are they good?

What do you think happened to Will’s friends (Jenny & his stable friend)? Do you think that Will will ever see them again?

What is significant about Will killing the wolves at the beginning of the story? Why did the author include this into the story?

More Books Like This One 

Until next time, 

Pamela

Jinx by Sage Blackwood

Mark Twain Nominee Monday! 

Jinx 

By Sage Blackwood 

The Story

The Urwald is the only place Jinx has ever known. Dark and mysterious, the tall trees of the Urwald are home to menacing werewolves, werebears and trolls, devious witches, and sinister wizards. Even as a young boy, Jinx knows about the Truce of the Path: You are protected as long as you remain on the path. But one day his cruel stepfather takes Jinx off the path, intending to leave Jinx to fend for himself. 

Just as Jinx is about to give up hope, he’s saved by a wizard named Simon.  As the years pass, Jinx begins to trust the wizard. 

 Although Jinx is kept safe and well-fed, he longs to explore the world. So after a terrible fight with Simon, Jinx sets out on a quest. Jinx’s life-changing journey takes him from the safety of Simon’s castle to ominous  home to the evil, bloodthirsty Bonemaster.  Jinx must now find a way home all while battling the most feared wizard of all. 

 Summary based off of : Chapter Book Explorer Blog

My Thoughts

I had a really hard time with this one. I usually enjoy fantasies, and I was really excited to try this one out. Sadly, I felt like this book was really slow!  I kept having flash backs to Disney's The Sword & the Stone. Does anyone else see Simon as Merlin? Or am I just crazy?



I know this is a series, but I didn't feel like this book had much of a climax. There was a lot of lead up to this adventure that Jinx goes on, but it takes more then half of the book to go on it. Once it got there, I felt like the book just flopped for me. I felt like nothing was resolved.

By the end of the book, he was off on another adventure. I just felt like there were so many plot holes that I fell through as a reader.

Even though I personally did not enjoy this book, I do think that it would be a fun fantasy book to recommend to young fantasy lovers.

Discussion Questions 

Jinx’s stepfather said Jinx was cursed.  Do you think Jinx is cursed? Did he bring misfortune to Simon & Sophie?

Why does Sophie live in Samara and not with Simon and Jinx?

In the book, Simon does many good and bad things. Is he a good person? Or is he an evil wizard?

Jinx thinks that it is important to travel to learn. What can you learn by traveling? What are some things you learned while traveling to a different place?

Jinx has a strange power to see emotions. Do you think this was useful? Would you want this ability? If you could chose any power, what would you choose?

What do you think Reven’s curse is? Why is he called the “Great Terror?” Reven robs Jix and then asks to travel with him. Why do you think that Jinx allowed him to come with him?  

Why did Jinx see Elfwyn before he met her? How did she help or harm Jinx?

Jinx can read emotions by the color of cloud around someone’s face. Can colors represent emotions? If so what are they?

If Jinx never left Gooseberry Clearing, how would he be different?

The Bonemaster says that knowledge is meant to be free for everyone. What are some ways that you can gain knowledge for free? Is this true?

More Books Like This One 

- Pamela

The Water Castle

It is Mark Twain Monday!

Here is the nominee discussion questions and overview of the week:

The Water Castle

By: Megan Frazer Blakemore 

Book Overview 

Provided by: Amazon

Ephraim Appledore-Smith is an ordinary boy, and up until his father's stroke he lived an ordinary life. But all that changes when his family moves to the Water Castle--their ancestral home in the small town of Crystal Springs. 

There he meets Mallory Green's family who has always been the caretakers of the Water Castle--and the guardians of the legendary Fountain of Youth, hidden on the estate grounds. 

When Ephraim learns of the Fountain, he's sure finding it can cure his dad. Told in alternate perspectives, the kids try to solve the mystery of the fountain of youth to try and save Ephraim's dad. 

My Thoughts 

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. With its flashbacks and alternate perspectives, it makes this book very sophisticated for a middle grade novel.  A majority of the book flashes back to 1909 to the families ancestor's story of how they struggled to find the fountain of youth. With this, it also details the character's interest in the exploration of the north pole in 1909. I thought this was a very sneaky way to teach kids about this exploration history. With that being said, I think this book would be  great pair to non-fiction books on this subject manner.







Here are some other lessons you could pair with it as well.

Explorer Activities & Lessons

Who Got to the North Pole First?

Antarctica Printables & Worksheets

Overall, I felt like this book was a fun read. I liked its history content, and I enjoyed the fun fantasy element as the kids try to find the fountain of youth.


Discussion Questions 

The explorer Robert Peary had a motto, “I shall find a way or make one.” What does this mean? Is there a time in the book where the characters go by this motto?

If the fountain of youth was real, would you use it? What would be the consequences? Do you think that it is real?

What makes Crystal Springs different?

Henry claims that “every story has a purpose.” Is this true? What are some examples to support or to not support this claim? Does this story have a purpose?

In the book there is a disagreement about who reached the north pole first. Does it matter who was first? Would it have been better if they worked together to reach this goal?

The kids in this book find radioactive water in their home. This is very dangerous!!! If you found this in your home what would you do? What should the characters have done?

The Water Castle was built differently than a normal home. Why was it built this way? If you could design your own home, how would you build it?

The kids believed that Will & Ephraim were saved by their fall due to the power of the water. Was it the water that saved them or was it something else?

Why was there a family feud between Will’s family & the Appledores? Why did their fight last for so long? How should they have resolved it?

The end of the book left many questions. Do you think that Harry & Nora are Mallory’s parents? Is Ephraim’s dad better because of the water? What do you think will happen to the families now? Will Ephraim’s family go back to Cambridge? If you could write a second book for The Water Castle, what would you like to happen?



More Books Like This One 

Until Next Time,

Pamela

Dorko the Magnificent By Andrea Beaty

Dorko the Magnificent 

By: Andrea Beaty 

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Published: April 1, 2013

The Story 

*Based off of the Summary From BookPage*

Robbie Darko, dubbed “Dorko” by the class bully, sets out to perform the greatest magic trick his town has ever seen at the upcoming school talent show. Much to his parents’ and teachers’ dismay (and his classmates’ delight), Robbie uses every possible opportunity to practice his craft, but the arrival of Grandma Melvyn threatens to make Robbie’s grand plan disappear into thin air.

Until she moves into his room, Grandma Melvyn has just been that ill-tempered, smelly, distant elderly relative with the “Wicked Wobble Eye” who isn’t even anyone’s actual grandmother.  Little does Robbie know what tricks Grandma Melvyn, literally, has up her sleeves. 

When the classic tablecloth trick Dorko performs in front of his whole family goes hilariously wrong, Robbie is stunned when Grandma Melvyn explodes with laughter and congratulates him on a job well done. It is then that Robbie learns that Grandma Melvyn was a famous magician. After this, Grandma Melyn starts teaching Robbie her incredible magician’s secrets. 

Robbie, his friend Cat, and Grandma Melyn start to spend weeks working on a disappearing act for the school talent show that is sure to have the whole town talking for years to come, but it is Grandma Melyn who ends up disappearing. Robbie now must make the show go on without her, and learn the true meaning of magic. 

Book Trailer 

Notes for Reader's Advisory & Review

This book was filled with clever humor and relatable situations that make this book a entertaining read.  I think readers will enjoy its wit and its sweet story regarding Grandma Melyn. 

Even though I did enjoy this book , I did feel like it was not memorable to me. 

In the words of Despicable Me: 



....and very predictable, but maybe I am being too harsh. I just found it to be very similar to many other middle grade novels. 

I do think that readers who enjoy realistic fiction may enjoy this book. As I have mentioned earlier, it is relatable. For instance, the family struggles financially, and Robbie's mom has to take on a job to help support his family. Robbie must adjust to not having his mom stay at home all the time, and adjust to his dad being away a majority of the time to support the family. I think many readers will also relate to an elderly relative moving in as well. The author addresses these situations with a great deal of humor that I appreciated. 

So in that regard, I think this book does a great job & I think there is an audience for it. 

I might also recommend this book to readers who enjoy doing magic tricks.  
You could also easily pair this book with a non fiction book on how to do magic too. 

Overall, I thought this was pretty good book, and I think as educators and parents you could do a lot with it. 

Since it was not memorable to me, however, I will have to give this book three stars.

For more, here are some discussion questions

Discussion Questions

Do you like that Dorko talks to the reader? At one point  Dorko suggests that his life be made into a movie. Do you think this story would make a good movie? If your life was a movie, who would play you? Would it be a comedy, drama, or action?

Is magic real?  What is magic? Dorko says that the stage is the most important part of a magical act & that details matter. He also goes onto say that timing is everything. What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree with Dorko?

What is a stereotypical grandma like? What makes Dorko’s grandma different? Why does she call everyone “trixie?”

Dorko’s mom often gets busy and forgets to tell Dorko important things (like how his grandma is staying with them). How do you think his mom should have approached this differently?

Dorko is upset that his parents didn’t have enough to pay for cable & he had to go to the library for movies. What things does your library offer?

When Grandma Melvin visits Dorko’s class, she makes it look like he stole from her. Why does she do this? What would you have done if your grandma did this to you?

Grandma Melvin stopped doing magic due to a tragic event.
Why did this stop  her from doing magic?

Over the course of the book, Dorko’s relationship with his Grandmother changes. How does it change? Cat also has a special relationship with Grandma Melvin.
What does Cat think of her? Are Cat and Grandma Melvin alike? *Bonus* What is   your grandmother like?

Dorko’s is passionate about magic. What are some of your interests or talents?

Dorko got his nickname from a class bully. Do you have any nicknames?  If  you do, how did you get your nickname? 

Books Like This One

What did you think of it?

Until next time,

-Pamela

Rump: The True story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

        Rump: The True story of Rumpelstiltskin·    

   

          Age Range: 8 - 12 years

·         Grade Level: 3 - 7

·         Paperback: 272 pages

·         Published: April 2013

·          
In a faraway kingdom, where your name is your destiny, twelve-year-old Rump is an outsider. His mother died before she could say his full name. With a name like Rump nobody (including Rump) thinks he has much of a future. One day everything changes, Rump finds a spinning wheel, and Rump is drawn to the spinning wheel despite his grandmother and best friend’s objections.

As he starts to spin, he learns that he can turn straw into gold. Rump begins to think that his future is starting to turn around, but he soon realizes that all magic comes with a price. With every straw Rump weaves into gold, he weaves himself deeper into a curse. The only way out of the curse is to go on a quest to find his full name. Rump must find out his full name before the curse destroys him, and hurts the people he loves most.

Book Trailer 

Review

I have always enjoyed the story of Rumpelstiltskin. I was very excited to read this Mark Twain nominee in particular. Who doesn't love a twisted fairy tale? I did find this one to be quit entertaining, and I was surprised that it did not go in the direction I thought it would. Tweens really enjoy twisted fairy tales. So I think this will be a hit for that crowd. It also has a theme of “if you find yourself, you will set yourself free.”  I enjoyed that aspect of it, and I liked that it wasn't all fluffy. It does have some darker elements to it. (Which can be expected from a  retelling of Grimm fairy tale).  If you have any very particular parents, I would mention that to them. There are some elements of kidnapping, torture, death, and a little violence. Nothing is graphic. I feel like it is very appropriate for a middle grade reader, but it is something to be aware of.

Overall, I felt like it was a fun read. I enjoyed the magical elements to it such as a the witches, pixies, and the curse.  It brought in a lot of fantasy elements that I crave together with a great twisted fairy tale. I look forward to reading her next book & to do this book in our upcoming book discussions. 

Discussion Questions

In the story, being 12 years old is to be considered an adult. How does this rule effect Rump?  How old do you think you have to be to be considered an adult? What makes someone an adult?

What is a destiny? Rump must discover his destiny to discover his full name. How did he find his destiny? How do you think you discover your passion / destiny?

Why are names so important in this book? Do names hold this much power in real life?  In the book, the people of the mountains do not name their animals. Do you think it is a good idea for us to name our pets? Why do we name them?
         
*Bonus- call on someone to tell a story about how they named their pet*

Why do pixies like gold? What is the purpose of the pixies in the story? Do you think the story could have done without this element?

Knowing the consequences of lying, the Miller decides to lie to the king. Why did the Miller lie to the king? Do you think he wanted to save Rump or did he have other selfish reason behind his lie?  

When Rump offers his gold, he is cursed to accept any offer given to him. Why do you think this is part of the curse? Is Rump greedy?

In this book, all magic has consequences. Why is this? Shouldn’t magic make things easier?

Did you know the story of "Rumpelstiltskin" before you read this? If you knew the story,  what version did you like better? Why do you think the author chose to change the story? If you have never read this story,  do you want to read this story?

When Rump discovered his true name the curse was broken! Why did knowing  his name break the curse?  

 Knowing Rump’s mom story, do you think she could have been saved? What are some things she could have done differently?

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- Pamela