In our first meeting we decided to read the first 10 chapters of the book over the Christmas holidays. Pay attention to “The Instructions” before chapter one in the book. Keep remembering them as you read the book, and re-read them when you finish. As you read, remember to think about the discussion questions so that we can discuss your thoughts regarding the book. Feel free to leave comments here with your thoughts and opinions of the book! Don't forget to check out the cool links that I uploaded to the Books and Reading tab of our AC New MS Library Webpage!
Questions to think about:
1. Who do you think built Ember and why?
2. When does the book happen?
3. Why did Doon want to trade jobs?
4. Why was Lina so happy to trade with him?
5. How does Lina's new job really suit her?
6. Describe the characters from the first few chapters.
7. Describe the jobs the other kids get.
8. What would you want to do, if you lived in Ember?
Our next meeting will be January 15th at 7:30 in the library!
Have a safe and happy holiday!!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Introducing The City of Ember!
If you didn't sign up for the first book we read as a group, now is your chance to get involved!
"The electricity is turned off from 9:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. each day in this strange dark City of Ember. During the “day” when it is on, it fails often. Doon and Lina have just received their permanent job assignments. Neither is satisfied with the assignment given. Lina is thrilled however when Doon offers her the chance to trade her underground pipeworks job for his messenger assignment, the very one she'd been hoping for. Doon has had his heart set on a job in the electrical works so he could help solve Ember's problems with failing electricity and disappearing supplies. But there is a connection between the pipeworks and the electricity, and Doon believes he can learn more about it. Lina's dream of a city of light is a shining contrast to the often dark City of Ember. Lina and Doon come to combine their dreams and talents on a quest to save the people of Ember."
source: http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-ember.html
Book Club Homework: Bring $6 for next book by Friday December 12th!!
Next Meeting: 12/18 at 7:45 in the library
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The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
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Click the link below to hear an interview with the author!
Podcast Interview with Author
Podcast Interview with Author
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
December 4th Meeting - Where do we go from here?
Where we go from here is up to you. Look below at the post that describes possible book choices and prices for our next Book Club read. Make your selection on the poll to the right.
Those of you in the original Book Club group will be selecting our next book; however, we will open the sign ups for all students again. Tell your friends to join with you!
I will announce our next book tomorrow (December, 5th) and you can begin bringing your money for our next read. All money for the next book will be due on December 12th, and we will deliver the books in our meeting on December 18th (if they arrive in time). We will also discuss how much of the book we want to read over the Christmas holidays.
Those of you in the original Book Club group will be selecting our next book; however, we will open the sign ups for all students again. Tell your friends to join with you!
I will announce our next book tomorrow (December, 5th) and you can begin bringing your money for our next read. All money for the next book will be due on December 12th, and we will deliver the books in our meeting on December 18th (if they arrive in time). We will also discuss how much of the book we want to read over the Christmas holidays.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Final Meeting for Eggs
Well, this is our final meeting for Eggs by Spinelli. By now, you all should have finished the book and know how David and Primrose's story ends. Look at the discussion questions below, and post your response in the comments section of the blog.
1. Primrose spends a great deal of time pretending. What are some examples of this, and why do you think she likes to pretend?
2. Respect, as well as disrespect, are central themes of this novel. What are some examples of each in the book?
3. Eggs is an odd title for a book. Why do you think that Jerry Spinelli entitled this book Eggs? If you were to give a title to the story of your life so far, what would it be?
4. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
**Our next meeting will be held on December 4th at 7:45 am. We will be teleconferencing with Terry Middle School kids to discuss Eggs. We will also be confirming the next book we read as a club, so cast your vote on the poll to the right!
1. Primrose spends a great deal of time pretending. What are some examples of this, and why do you think she likes to pretend?
2. Respect, as well as disrespect, are central themes of this novel. What are some examples of each in the book?
3. Eggs is an odd title for a book. Why do you think that Jerry Spinelli entitled this book Eggs? If you were to give a title to the story of your life so far, what would it be?
4. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
**Our next meeting will be held on December 4th at 7:45 am. We will be teleconferencing with Terry Middle School kids to discuss Eggs. We will also be confirming the next book we read as a club, so cast your vote on the poll to the right!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What should we read next?
Browse through the following titles and summaries then vote (use the poll on the right) for the book you would like to read next in the book club!
Truesight
Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy. As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes …
$ 6.00
Notes from the Midnight Driver
After being assigned to perform community service at a nursing home, sixteen-year-old Alex befriends a cantankerous old man who has some lessons to impart about jazz guitar playing, love, and forgiveness.
$ 6.00
Al Capone Does my Shirts
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.
$ 6.00
Found
When Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane full of babies that came out of nowhere, they uncover a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces trying to repair the fabric of time.
$ 9.00
The City of Ember
In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
$ 6.00
Truesight
Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy. As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes …
$ 6.00
Notes from the Midnight Driver
After being assigned to perform community service at a nursing home, sixteen-year-old Alex befriends a cantankerous old man who has some lessons to impart about jazz guitar playing, love, and forgiveness.
$ 6.00
Uglies
When Tally's friend Shay leaves their society's false values of image by joining a non-conforming community, Tally questions the ethics involved in spying on them to attain the "pretty" status she been anticipating.
$ 6.00
Slot Machine
When overweight thirteen-year-old Elvin Bishop is sent to camp at Christian Brothers Academy Retreat Center, he and his two best friends are forced to try various sports in order to find out where they belong.
$6.00
Surviving the Applewhites
Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.
$ 5.00
Full Tilt
When Blake goes to a mysterious carnival he somehow knows that it could save his comatose brother, but soon learns that much more is at stake if he fails to meet the challenge presented there.
$ 5.00
Brainboy and the Deathmaster
When Darryl, a twelve-year-old orphan, is adopted by a technology genius, he finds himself the star of his very own life-threatening video game.
$ 6.00
When Tally's friend Shay leaves their society's false values of image by joining a non-conforming community, Tally questions the ethics involved in spying on them to attain the "pretty" status she been anticipating.
$ 6.00
Slot Machine
When overweight thirteen-year-old Elvin Bishop is sent to camp at Christian Brothers Academy Retreat Center, he and his two best friends are forced to try various sports in order to find out where they belong.
$6.00
Surviving the Applewhites
Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.
$ 5.00
Full Tilt
When Blake goes to a mysterious carnival he somehow knows that it could save his comatose brother, but soon learns that much more is at stake if he fails to meet the challenge presented there.
$ 5.00
Brainboy and the Deathmaster
When Darryl, a twelve-year-old orphan, is adopted by a technology genius, he finds himself the star of his very own life-threatening video game.
$ 6.00
Al Capone Does my Shirts
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.
$ 6.00
Found
When Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane full of babies that came out of nowhere, they uncover a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces trying to repair the fabric of time.
$ 9.00
The City of Ember
In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
$ 6.00
Monday, October 27, 2008
October 30th Eggs Discussion Starters
I hope you have enjoyed reading the first half of Eggs. Below you will find several discussion starters for our book club meeting which were taken from the official Eggs discussion guide published by Little, Brown and Company. Read through the questions, and share your thoughts and opinions by posting a comment below.
1. David lost his mother and was living unhappily with his grandmother. "No one, not grandmothers, not anyone, could touch him. His mother's death had made him invincible." (p.24) What do you think this statement means? Why do you think David followed all rules except his grandmother's?***************************************************************************2. David and Primrose have what one might call a love-hate relationship. Why do you think this is? Cite examples from the book of times when they seemed to love each other and those times when they were at each other's throats. Can you think of anyone you might have a love-hate relationship with?***************************************************************************3. Refrigerator John explains how David and Primrose can earn some money by catching nightcrawlers. Refrigerator John offers them twenty cents apiece. "A quarter apiece, said the girl, always turning the screw." (p.90) What does the author mean by this? How is it indicative of Primrose's personality?***************************************************************************4. What are some adjectives to describe David and his personality? What are some adjectives to describe Primrose and her personality? How are the two characters alike? How are they different?***************************************************************************
Our next meeting will be on November 13th at 7:45 am. We will discuss and blog about the remainder of the book, and we will also vote on the next book we read. Since zero period is short, and we have much to discuss, please make every effort to be here and ready to begin at 7:45.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Starting the Blog with a Bang!
Hi. This is Mrs. Knight, and I am so excited to be starting this book club with you here at AC New Middle School. Thank you so much for joining and participating in the Knight's Book Club. I look forward to reading Eggs by Jerry Spinelli with y'all, and I even plan to read it aloud to my own kids.
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli 
Eggs is a heart-warming story about friendship and sorrow. Nine-year-old David and thirteen-year-old Primrose forge the most unlikely union. Both have had a troubled past - David losing his mother in a freak accident and Primrose growing up without a father - find comfort in each other as they try to make sense of their lives. The bond between the two, albeit tumultuous at times, is strong and in the end proves to be the key to their healing. 
Book Club Homework: Read Chapters 1-21 of Eggs
Next Meeting: October 30th at 7:45 in the library
PS 
Can you guess why I called my blog "Knight's Round Table"? First of all my last name is a homophone (Knight as in shining armor vs night as in after dark), so it is somewhat of a play on words. The round table reference is from King Arthur of Camelot who implemented a round table when discussing strategies with his knights. The knights were of noble birth and often had power struggles among themselves, so King Arthur designed a round table where each of them would have an equal say and there would be no "head" of the table. Since our book club is a forum to share our thoughts with one another in the same way, I chose this title. To read more about the legend of King Arthur's Round Table click the following links: http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/roundtable.html#History
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/rtable.html
Can you guess why I called my blog "Knight's Round Table"? First of all my last name is a homophone (Knight as in shining armor vs night as in after dark), so it is somewhat of a play on words. The round table reference is from King Arthur of Camelot who implemented a round table when discussing strategies with his knights. The knights were of noble birth and often had power struggles among themselves, so King Arthur designed a round table where each of them would have an equal say and there would be no "head" of the table. Since our book club is a forum to share our thoughts with one another in the same way, I chose this title. To read more about the legend of King Arthur's Round Table click the following links: http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/roundtable.html#History
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/rtable.html
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