How the Theme of "Breathing" Brings Together a Story of Ghosts, Cystic Fibrosis, Anxiety and Family

Hello, Readers!

This week 4th graders will discuss the graphic novel Ghosts by New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier.

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn't happy about leaving her friends for Bahia de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahia de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister's sake - and her own. Check out the video book trailer below:

Telgemeier explains in the notes at the end of the book that she chose to write about cystic fibrosis because breathing is huge theme in this story. Ghosts can't breathe, Maya (who has CF) can't breathe very well, and Cat is often anxious and need to be reminded to stop and breathe deeply.

Discussion questions can be found here. Remember to visit the Grade 4 page for more information about Cystic Fibrosis, Dia de los Muertos, and other books by Raina Telgemeier.

Happy reading!

Discuss a Padawan's Problems, Third Graders Will

Hello, Readers!

This week 3rd graders are discussing Jarrett J. Krosoczka's A New Class (Star Wars: Jedi Academy #4). Elementary readers will find this book engaging for a variety of reasons, including the various modern-day formats in which the story is told (comics, school newsletters, journal entries, and media feeds). Relatable characters and problems, the familiarity of the Star Wars franchise, and entertaining illustrations make this book a hit.

Victor Starspeeder is psyched to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. His sister, Christina does not share an enthusiasm for Victor’s newfound educational path. She’s horrified that her annoying baby brother will be there to cramp her style.

While Victor means well, his excess energy leads him to spend a lot of time in detention with the little, green sage, Yoda. Yoda wants to channel Victor’s talents, so he makes the young Padawan join the drama club. Victor is not pleased. "Learn to control your anger, you must! Successfully manage their emotions, a good Jedi can. Box step and jazz hands ... hee hee ... young Padawan will!"

Victor will have to make new friends, get on his sister’s good side, learn to use the force, and hope the year’s drama club performance ("Wookie Side Story"? "Annie Get Your Lightsaber"?) goes off without a hitch!

Discussion questions can be found here, and be sure to visit the Grade 3 page to explore other books in the Jedi Academy series and Jarrett Krosoczka's amazing work.

Happy reading!

Second Grade, Soccer, and Sorting Out Problems

Hello, Readers!

This week second graders are discussing Lola Levine Is NOT Mean! by Monica Brown. This book is the first in a series for young readers who will be inspired by Lola's big heart and creative spirit as she learns to navigate the second grade in true Lola style.

Lola Levine likes writing in her diario, sipping her mom's café con leche, eating her dad's matzo ball soup, and playing soccer with her team, the Orange Smoothies. So what if she doesn't always fit in?

Lola is fierce on the field, but when a soccer game during recess gets too competitive, she accidentally hurts her classmate Juan Gomez. Now everyone is calling her Mean Lola Levine! Lola feels terrible, but with the help of her family, her super best friend, Josh Blot, and a little "pencil power," she just might be able to turn it all around.

To preview discussion questions, click here. Links to author Monica Brown's web site can also be found on the Grade 2 page.

Happy reading!

Timely Glimpse into Iranian Immigrant's Experience in Middle School

Hello, Readers!

This week 5th graders are discussing Firoozeh Dumas's middle-grade fiction debut, It Ain't So Awful, Falafel. This semi-autobiographical novel is full of laugh-out-loud humor and told in the appealing, and distinctive voice of Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh.

It's the late 1970s, and Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block ... for the fourth time. California's Newport Beach is her family's latest perch, and she's determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name. Fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes U.S. headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Neither summer camp nor puka shell necklaces can distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home.

Consider some of the following quotes found in the story:

• "... remember that everyone deserves dignity."
• "My dad says religion is kindness and that's what everyone should practice."
• "A girl without an education has no power; she is always at the mercy of others."
• "I imagine it is very hard for Americans to understand the value of human rights and free speech. How can you appreciate something you have always had?"

This book explores the themes of family, kindness, stereotypes, bullying and belonging through an engaging plot and relatable characters. I highly recommend It Ain't So Awful, Falafel to upper elementary and middle school readers. To preview discussion questions, click here. Explore related topics and links to the author's web site on the Grade 5 page.

Happy reading!

Unlikely Friendship Between Two Boys Who Have Nothing in Common - Except a Common Enemy

Hello, Readers!

This week fourth graders are discussing Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. In this story, the experiences during the first week of school are told through alternating, viewpoints of 5th 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. The book is filled with humor and empathy as it explores issues of diversity, culture, assumptions and parenting styles. Readers are led down the path of thinking about what it feels like to walk in someone else's shoes.

Discussion questions can be found here. In addition, visit the grade 4 page for more links to sites and activities related to the book.

Happy reading!

Henry and Beezus - Beverly Cleary's Timeless Classic on Klickitat Street

Hello, Readers!

This week third graders are discussing Beverly Cleary's timeless classic, Henry and Beezus. Although this book was originally published in 1952, the characters and the problems they encounter remain relatable and hilarious to kids today. This funny story combines genuine friendship, hard work to reach goals, and pesty younger siblings mixed with a dash of bubble gum, bicycles, and a bit of mischief.

When we meet Henry Huggins in this story, he must get a bike! Henry's attempts at raising money for his bike fund keep falling flat. Selling bubble gum on the playground gets him in trouble with his teacher, and then his pet dog, Ribsy's nose for mischief almost ruins Henry's paper route. Even pesky little Ramona Quimby manages to get in the way of Henry's chance at a bike. But no matter what, Henry can always count on his reliable friend, Beezus, to stick by his side. Will he manage to get a bike before the big Rose Festival Parade?

Discussion questions for Henry and Beezus can be found here. Many activities and links to more information about Beverly Cleary and her books can be found on the Grade 3 page.

Visit Beverly Cleary's web site to read about this amazing author who is over 100 years old! You might just want to read other classic chapter books by Cleary, such as the books featuring Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, or Ralph Mouse. Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, you will forever enjoy Cleary's classic tales of childhood.

Happy Reading!

Second Graders Determine If Robots Will Rule the School

Hello, Readers!
This week second graders are meeting to discuss Robots Rule the School (book #4 in The DATA Set series) by Ada Hopper. We can all agree that there are many ways that robots make our lives easier. But, can robots also make our lives more dangerous or even take over?

One morning Mrs. Bell, the science teacher, challenges the students to invent their own robots. The students in the class build their best creations, and on presentation day, everything goes well ... until all the robots start malfunctioning!

Now it's up to the DATA Set and their new classmate, Olive Thompson, to deprogram these machines before an army of robots takes over the entire school!

The DATA Set chapter book series is full of easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page. The books are perfect for emerging and early chapter book readers. The characters are good-hearted and intelligent, and they work together to take on adventures and solve problems.

To preview discussion questions, click here. You can also find links to other books in the DATA Set series as well as activities and topics related to this book on the Grade 2 page.

Happy reading!