Thursday, December 18, 2008

The City of Ember 1st Meeting

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!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Widget of The City of Ember

Animoto Video of Maximum Ride

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

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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.

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!

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

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

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