Recommendations

What titles would you recommend for next year's book club? Why?

Taking Sides

Do you think the change in neighborhood was good for Linc? What drawbacks did it have? If you had the opportunity to move to the suburbs, would you? Why or why not?

Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul

The book Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul was intended to show the "storytelling traditions of the Latino culture." Do you like books that are based on your own culture? Why or why not? Explain with examples.

Burning Questions about Emma Jean

Emma Jean strikes me as a unique character that is different than any of my students that I see on a daily basis.

Here are a few things I'm wondering about:
1. Do you think Emma Jean is a realistic character? Are there kids like her in schools today?
2. Did you like her more at the beginning of the book or at the end of the book?
3. I think her and Jeremy Fink would make an awesome couple. What about you?
4. Would you read the next book in which she falls in love?

I can't wait to talk about this one!

What did you "chew on" as you read?

As I read Chew on This, I became increasingly angry. I felt like fast food corporations were taking advantage of children by appealing to them at such an early age. The fact that they would have focus groups for kids as young as 2, that they would pay kids to go to slumber parties and ask them questions, and that they target kids by having Playlands were just three small things that bothered me. I find the whole concept of a "Happy Meal" quite disturbing now after reading this book. I never thought that they would try to alter our mood through their food offerings. My students know that I used to love McDonald's items (I used to stop there nearly everyday). I think I may cut back on that.

What was your reaction to the book? Back up your reaction with an example from what you read.

All the Lovely Bad Ones

On a scale of 1 (mild) to 10 (shaking in my boots), rank how scary you thought the book was and explain why. Back up your answer with examples from the book.

Our Journey Begins as We Discuss Jeremy's Journey

The very first question in the Reader's Guide at the end of the book is a very interesting one. It is as follows:

"The meaning of life is one of the world's greatest mysteries. Why do you think it is so important to discover it? What do you think the meaning of life is?" (Mass 290)

Please share your thoughts and be detailed.