The Losers Club: Members Not Wanted

The Losers Club by Andrew Clements

Hello, Readers!

This week fourth grade book club kids are reading The Losers Club by Andrew Clements. Does the name of that club catch your attention? Would you want to join a "losers" club? The main character in this school story, Alec, knows exactly what he is doing when he names his club "The Losers Club". He doesn't want anyone to join him.

Sixth grader Alec can’t put a good book down.
 
So when Principal Vance lays down the law—pay attention in class, or else—Alec takes action. He can’t lose all his reading time, so he starts a club. A club he intends to be the only member of. After all, reading isn’t a team sport, and no one would want to join something called the Losers Club, right? But as more and more kids find their way to Alec’s club—including his ex-friend turned bully and the girl Alec is maybe starting to like—Alec notices something. Real life might be messier than his favorite books, but it’s just as interesting.
 
With The Losers Club, Andrew Clements brings us a new school story that’s a love letter to books and to reading and that reminds us that sometimes the best stories are the ones that happen off the page—our own!

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Which character did you like/dislike the most? Why?
2. Which scene did you find to be funniest? 
3. How did Alec change over the course of the story?
4. How did Lily change over the course of the story?
5. Why do you think Kent changed from being a friend to being a bully to Alec? Do you think Kent decided to be a friend to Alec by the end of the story?
6. How did Alec's dad help him? Do you think his dad's advice was helpful?
7. The meaning of the club's name, "losers", took on different meaning by the end of the book. What did "losers" mean at the beginning, and what did "losers" mean at the end?
8. What message do you think Andrew Clements wanted the reader to take away from this story?
9. Which books are you interested in reading (or have you already read) from The Losers Club book list?

Curriculum Connections: 

• Reading (enjoying great books, starting a book club)
• Life Skills (problem solving, friendships)
• Physical Education (kickball, basketball)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.7 out of 5
• "My favorite part was when Alec made Kent be in the club he hated for a week. And he actually liked it." --Addie
• "My favorite part was when Kent got a homerun." --Jeb
• "One question I wondered was why was Kent so mean?" --Hailey
• "My favorite part was when Alec made/the club The Losers Club." --Anjulia
• "How come Kent was Alec's friend and then bullied him?" --Addie
• "My favorite part was the end." --Theo

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The Great Outdoors Can Be a Scary Place for a Kid Who's Scared of Everything

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look

Hello, Readers!

This week 2nd and 3rd grade book club members are reading Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters, the second book in the Alvin Ho series written by Lenore Look and illustrated by LeUyen Pham.

Alvin Ho does not think the great outdoors is great. It is super-duper scary. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Flash floods.
2. Meteorites.
3. Lots of creepy trees.
4. Pit toilets!

Luckily, when his dad suggests - GULP! - a camping trip, Alvin is prepared. He has:

1. A portable generator.
2. Night-vision goggles.
3. Toilet paper.
4. More toilet paper!

So grab your mosquito netting and your heavy-duty flashlight and experience the great outdoors with the one and only Alvin Ho.

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What types of fears does Alvin have? How do his fears affect him at home and school?
2. Why do you think Alvin is scared to go camping and hiking?
3. Alvin believes his Uncle Dennis's Batman ring will be a secret weapon that gives him powers. Do you think the Batman ring did or did not give Alvin secret powers? Why or why not?
4. What types of secret tips did Uncle Dennis give to Alvin and Anibelly?
5. How did Uncle Dennis's secret tips backfire on Alvin and Anibelly and their dad?
6. How does Alvin end up making a friend while he is camping? How did Alvin and his friend end up being superheroes?
7. What do you think Alvin liked most about camping and hiking?
8. Alvin likes to pretend he is the superhero Firecracker Man. If you could make up a superhero character, who would you be? What would your costume look like?
9. Are you afraid of some things? What would you put in your PDK - Personal Disaster Kit - to help you survive the things that scare you?

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Skills (problem solving, courage, phobias)
• Science (nature)

What 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.2 out of 5
• "One question I wondered was why is he scared of so many things?" --Joliz
• "My favorite part was when Alvin met that alien." --Jake
• "One question I wondered was is he not scared anymore?" --Valeria
• "My favorite part was when he was in the box." --Nathan
• "My favorite part was Gungung." --Sanika
• "One question I wondered was why is there a Batman ring?" --Nathan
• "My favorite part was when he made a snare trap." --Joliz
• "My favorite part was on page 34 when Alvin was naked." --Rivian

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

Some Friendships Are Meant to Be

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Hello, Readers! 

This week 5th grade book club kids are discussing Hello, Universe by 2018 Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Told from intertwining points of view (two boys and two girls), Hello, Universe is  a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. The novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). 

In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so that he can concentrate on basketball.

They aren’t friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find the missing Virgil. Sometimes four can do what one cannot. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.

Source: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062414151/hello-universe

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is Virgil like as a person? When he describes the rest of his family, he says he feels “like unbuttered toast standing next to them” (p. 4). What does he mean by that simile? How does he think he compares to his brothers? How does his experience in the well affect him? 
2. How does Lola’s arrival help Virgil? What is she like, and what’s her role in the family? Describe Lola’s exchange with Valencia. What do Valencia and Kaori think of her?
3. In more than one instance, Virgil wishes he could act as the “Alternate Virgil” (p. 39). How would he change himself if he could? How does the book’s title relate to Virgil’s hopes about changing? What changes does he actually make by the end of the book?
4. Describe Valencia’s personality and her interests. What is her nightmare, and why can’t she ask her mother for help? How do people, including her parents, treat her differently because she’s deaf? Give specific examples.
5. Valencia explains that she prays to Saint Rene. Who is he and why does she pray to him? In the well, Virgil talks to Ruby San Salvador. Who is she and how is she helpful to him? What does this tell you about Valencia and Virgil and how they are alike? What else do they have in common?
6. Discuss Chet’s character and how he treats other kids. Why do you think he’s so unkind? What messages does he get from his father? How do you think those affect his actions?
7. Kaori likes to tell people that “her parents were born in the high, misty mountains of a samurai village” (p. 26). What does this reveal about her character? Describe her interest in psychic matters and how that interest is important to the novel’s plot. Talk about her relationship to Gen, how they interact, and how their personalities compare.
8. Talk about the main characters’ names and nicknames in the novel. Why does Valencia call herself Renee? Discuss Kaori’s observation that Valencia seems proud of her real name, and the fact that “Kaori was fond of her name as well”  (p. 265). What does Lola say about Valencia’s name? How does Virgil feel about his name and nickname? How does Chet’s last name lead to a nickname and relate to his character?
9. Identify the different points of view that the author uses throughout the novel. How do the points of view differ by chapter? Why do you think the author chose to focus different chapters on different characters and use different points of view?
10. The author uses similes and metaphors to create a vivid narrative. For example, Virgil’s crying is compared to a faucet, starting on p. 243 and picking up again on p. 245. Discuss the effect of the metaphor and why the author extends it. On p. 244, Virgil thinks of his family as speaking “in exclamation points.” What images does that create in your mind? Find other figures of speech and discuss their impact on the reader. 

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Skills (problem solving, communication, dealing with bullying, intergenerational relationships)
• Science (animals, snakes,)
• Disabilities (deafness)
• Writing (multiple points of view, text structure, narrative elements)

What 5th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.1 out of 5.0
• "Why did Virgil's parents not care so much for Virgil?" --Vibha
• "My favorite part was Virgil got saved." --Aditi
• "My favorite part was when Ruby San Salvador convinced Virgil into getting brave." --Alex
• "My favorite part was when Virgil was saved from the well." --Vibha
• "One question I wondered was why is Chet so unkind?" --Alex
• "My favorite part was when they found Virgil." --Alexa

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We couldn't decide, so we're breaking into two groups and reading both of these amazing books:

A New Friend Could Be Sitting Right Next to You

Hello, Readers!

This week 4th grade book club kids are discussing Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. Not only is this story written by two authors, it is also told from the points of view of two fifth graders, Joe and Ravi. 

Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they’re both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.

Joe’s lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own.

Ravi’s family just moved to America from India, and he’s finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in.

Joe and Ravi don’t– think they have anything in common – but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.

Source: back cover of book

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever invited new kids to sit with you and your friends at lunch? Why or why not?
2. Dillon Samreen seems to be so well-liked. What problems does he have in spite of being so "popular"?
3. What problems did Joe have? What problems did Ravi have? How were their problems similar or different?
4. How did teachers, parents, and/or grandparents influence or affect Joe and Ravi? What role did they play in the boys' lives? Positive or negative?
5. What did Ravi mean when he said, "Assumptions are often wrong. There is more to me than meets the eye." How does that quote apply to other characters in this story (or other people in the real world)?
6. How many words do you think Joe and Ravi said to each other before they became friends?
7. What message do you take away from this book?
8. What is the best school lunch in your opinion?

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Skills (problem solving, communication, empathy, how to deal with bullying)
• Writing (multiple points of view, text structure)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 3.9 out of 5.0
• "My favorite part was when Ravi brought leeches into the class and made all of the girls scream." --Anjulia
• "One question I wondered was how bad was Ravi when he was in his old school?" --Theo
• "My favorite part was when Dillon said everything was an 'accident'." --Varun
• "One question I wondered was why is Dillon Samreen so mean?" --Anjulia
• "My favorite part was when Joe saw Dillon Samreen's peanut underwear." --Ryan
• "One question I wondered was did Joe ever become friends with Ravi?" --Ryan
• "Why does Dillon Samreen show his underwear?" --Jeb
• "My favorite part was the M&Ms." --Hailey
• "I want to talk about the M&Ms." --Addie

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Embrace What Makes You Different, and Don't Be Afraid to Show It to the World

Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry

Hello, Readers!

This week 5th grade book club kids are discussing Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry. The story is told from two points of view (Callie and Jinsong) an d in two different formats (free verse and prose) over the course of a school year. Ellie Terry captures the true personalities of middle school students in her well-developed, realistic characters. Especially significant in this book is the incorporation of a character with Tourette syndrome and the message that we should "embrace what makes you different, and don't be afraid to show it to the world."

It would be nice

to stay in one place

long enough to make a best friend . . .

Astronomy-loving Calliope June has Tourette syndrome, so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn't mean to make. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But it isn't long before the kids at her new school realize she's different. Only Calli's neighbor, who is also the popular student body president, sees her as she truly is--an interesting person and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public?

As Calli navigates school, she must also face her mother’s new relationship and the fact that they might be moving—again—just as she starts to make friends and finally accept her differences.

Source: book flap; book design by Anna Booth; cover art by Oana Befort

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What is Tourette syndrome? What symptoms of TS does Calli have? What advice does Calli's doctor (and mom) give her?
2. Describe Calli's background experiences and relationship with her family members.
3. What does Jinsong think of Calli? Does his thinking change? Why is he struggling with being Calli's friend?
4. Why does Calli's mom cut her hair, and how does Calli feel about it?
5. What role does Beatriz play in this story? Why does Calli consider Beatriz to be a beast? Why do you think Beatriz is so mean to Calli?
6. Where do you think Jinsong goes wrong in this story?
7. What surprised you as you read this story?
8. Author Ellie Terry has TS. How do you think that impacted this story?
9. What message do you take away from this book?

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Skills (problem solving, communication)
• Science (rocks and minerals, the moon, flowers)
• Neurological Disorders (Tourette syndrome)
• Writing (multiple points of view, text structure, free verse poetry)

What 5th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.94 out of 5.0
• "One question I wondered was why did her mom come back from Vegas with a new HUSBAND?!" --Alexa
• "Did Calli know that Jinsong liked her." --Katie
• "I want to talk about Tourette syndrome." --Aditi
• "One question I wondered was why does Calli use poetry so much?" --Alex
• "I want to talk about how Beatriz was referred to as a beast." --Alex
• "One question I wondered was what other books the author writes." --Jordyn
• "I want to talk about how her mom cut her hair." --Katie
• "The message I took away from this book was: We all have differences, and that's okay." --Aditi
• "I would rate this book 777 out of 5." --Alex
• "I wondered why does Jinsong like Calli?" --Sophie
• "I would rate this book 200,000,000 out of 5." --Katie
• "The message I took away from this book was: Be yourself." --Alexa

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Never Tell a Lie ... Unless You Have To

Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

Hello, Readers!

This week 4th grade book club members are discussing Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm. Full of Beans seamlessly blends historical and cultural information into a humorous story that takes place in Key West during the Great Depression.

The protagonist, Beans, is a very likable character who makes some mistakes and does the wrong things for the right reasons. He is a character who learns and grows—like any child would.

Beans Curry has plans. Big plans. He owns this town. He and his gang of barefoot buddies know everyone in Key West, and they know how to get things done -- and get paid.

Most of the time, anyway.

Now it's the middle of the Great Depression, and times are tough. There are no jobs and everyone is out for themselves, which means it's hard for a kid to make a cent. Luckily, Beans isn't any kid.

But not every plot goes according to plan . . .

Source: book jacket

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. From the beginning of the book, we learn how Beans feels about adults? How would you describe his attitude? Why do you think Beans feels this way?
2. What is going in in Key West (and the rest of the country for that matter) that would cause the garbage to pile up all around town?
3. How is Termite an important character in this story?
4. “Everyone was a salesman in this town,” Beans tells the reader. (p. 29) Explain why. What are the different things the kids try to sell? Do any of their ideas work out? Why, or why not?
5. Johnny Cakes proposes work to Beans on three different occasions. What does Beans decide to do, and do you agree with his decisions?
6. Why do you think Beans likes going to the movies? Why do you think the leper, Murray, is so secretive when he meets Beans at the movies?
7. Describe the ongoing conflict between Dot and Beans. How does it continue to escalate? Explain how it is resolved.
8. Describe the members of the Diaper Gang and explain what they do. Why is this business successful?
9. How do the kids help with the New Dealers’ project? What is the result of their help?
10. How does the town begin to change once the tourists arrive?
11. How does Beans' thinking change from the beginning to the end of the story?

Curriculum Connections:

• Social Studies (Great Depression, geography of Florida, the New Deal, prohibition)
• Health and Science (rheumatic fever, leprosy, stroke)
• Writing (author Jennifer L. Holm, writing multiple projects related to one topic, character development, metaphors)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 3.9 out of 5.0
• "One question I wondered was how do the marble games work?" --Addie
• "The character I liked the most was Too Bad because he messes up almost everything." --Jeb
• "I want to talk about how they changed Key West." --Hailey
• "Who was better? Baby Leroy or Shirley Temple?" --Varun
• "The character I liked the most was Pork Chop because he has a funny attitude." --Jack
• "One question I wondered was did Johnny Cakes get caught?" --Jeb
• "I want to talk about the quote 'Grown ups are lying liars.'" --Ryan
• "The character I like the most was Buddy because he screamed." --Theo
• "I wondered how many kids helped." --Hailey
• "Did Dot end up playing the Keepsies?" --Ryan
• "I want to talk about Johnny Cakes actions." --Varun
• "The character I liked the most was Beans because he was sneaky." --Addie

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