Discussion Questions-- to p. 62

Let's discuss the following:

1. What do we think of the book so far? What stands out to you?

2. Does Death as our narrator "work"? What do you think of Death as a character in the story?

3. An ongoing question, but one to begin pondering: What is the significance of colors in the book?

4. The Grave Digger's Handbook is the first book Liesel steals. Why did she take the book (think back to what Death tells us)? How does Hans Hubermann react when he discovers the book?

5. Liesel believes that Hans Hubermann's eyes show kindness, and from the beginning she feels closer to him than to Rosa Hubermann. How does he gain Liesel's love and trust? How was Hans "worth a lot." ? (p. 34)

6. Rosa is described as "her face was decorated with constant fury." (p. 33) What made Rosa so angry?

Now... your thoughts!
:)
Mrs. P

By popular demand... The Hunger Games!

I suppose one person could be considered "Popular Demand". :) I read this book over the summer and really enjoyed it; I can't wait to read the sequel (Catching Fire, on our shelves now) when I get a free moment! That's all I will say for now; Analie and Joel, take it away and I'll jump in later.
:)
Mrs. P

New Moon Movie Info!

Want the latest and greatest news about New Moon? Click here! This page seems to have it all. Also, be sure and stop at Stephenie Meyer's website page that is dedicated to all things New Moon to hear Death Cab for Cutie's song from the soundtrack and the latest trailer. Due out 11/20/09... when should we start the countdown, people?

Bookies-- Inkheart the Movie

Let's get the movie party started! Please have a parent/guardian email, write or call me to give you permission to watch the movie during 8th grade lunch later this week. How about we start watching it on Wednesday during lunch? That gives you guys two days to take care of the permission thing, which really should be more time than necessary. I would say we would watch it the entire period 3, but I don't think that's going to work for you jazz band/yearbook folks, right?
I'll shoot emails to the SSR teachers who need word from me about that; please let me know who that would be!
:)
Mrs. P

First Chapters Assigned!

All right, Bookies and Participating Staff Members...
We met today, and the group decided to read to page 62 by Wednesday, 9/23. We had said by Friday, but to particpate in the blog, you will need to be ready to go! The overall goal is to finish The Book Thief by Thanksgiving break so that we can crank into another novel over the holidays. Woohoo holidays! :)
By Wednesday next week, I will post some discussion questions over what we have read, and we'll see what everyone has to say. We will then meet on Fridays during 8th grade lunch to process the blogged conversation, and then I will post "minutes" from that meeting--including our next chapters assigned-- on the blog for all. This will be the way the weeks will progress until the book is complete. Concerns? Questions? Let me know. Until then, happy weekend. Woohoo weekends!
We missed you, Joel! Hope you feel better soon.
:)
Mrs. P

Bookies, Let's meet Friday!

All right, so let's do our initial meeting this Friday during 8th grade lunch-- will that work for you guys? I can spring you out of SSR as needed... oh wait, I just remembered that we get a lot of SSR classes in during that first SSR time. So let me check the library reservations tomorrow and see what's what. But we'll call it a tentative plan until otherwise notified.

If you haven't already done so (Rachael, Kenneth, Jamia!), come on in and sign out a book. I'm still trying to dig up books for teachers, so we'll see what I can do. I'm excited we're doing this!

Speaking of excited, I haven't seen much enthusiasm for watching Inkheart. Are you guys in a take-it-or-leave-it mode? If so, I'll just send it back from whence it came. :) Let me know.

That's me for tonight. Hope you guys are doing well!

:)
Mrs. P

Bookies-- The Book Thief it is!

This will be our next book, if that's okay with you guys! It's a little bit fantasy, a little bit historical fiction, and a little bit realistic fiction (when Death isn't making a personal appearance as the narrator), so hopefully it will be a lot bit satisfying! I'm ILLing copies right now from other schools.

And, FINALLY, I have gotten Inkheart for us to watch if you guys are still interested. We could watch it in the library during 8th grade lunch (I'll spring you youngsters out of SSR)... so who's still interested?

Show of hands, please! Let me know:
1. If you're in for The Book Thief
2. If you're in for watching Inkheart

:)
Mrs. P