Hey! Is everyone enjoying their summer? Here’s something to make it even better: Summer Reading Lists!
Now, most of you got these lists from your parents after Parent/Teacher conferences, but I thought I’d re-post them here just in case you misplace your copy.
I’ve separated the class into two groups. You either got List 1 or List 2. Make sure that you choose your third book from the right options. If you don’t remember which list you are choosing from, please email me or comment on the blog and I’ll remind you.
We will all read these two books:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place — he’s the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians’ time — as well as their timely ghostly teachings — like the ability to Fade.
Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? And then there are things like ghouls that aren’t really one thing or the other.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.
But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Coraline will have to fight with all her wits and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.
Your Assignments:
Below, you will find discussion questions for both The Graveyard Book and Coraline. In a notebook that you must clearly label “Summer Reading”, please answer all of the Discussion Questions in complete sentences. You may type your responses, but please staple the typed pages into your “Summer Reading” notebook. For The Graveyard Book, please choose one of the Extension Activities to complete as well.
Discussion Questions for The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Answer each question with a minimum of 1 paragraph (5 descriptive, well thought out sentences)
1. From the opening lines, Gaiman is able to hook readers with a distinct narrative voice and a vivid setting. Discuss how both of these elements serve the story.
2. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. How does the graveyard come together to raise this particular child? Describe the special mentoring relationships that Bod has with Silas and Miss Lupescu.
3. Boundaries—between the living and the dead, the graveyard and the world—are an important part of the novel. How does Bod test these boundaries? What are the consequences of Bod’s actions?
4. Bod’s human interactions are limited to a shortlived friendship with Scarlett and a brief stint at school. Discuss how these experiences change Bod. How do our friendships and associations with others affect us?
Extension Activities for The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- Epitaph Poems. Various dead characters in the novel are introduced with their epitaphs. An epitaph is the inscription found on a tombstone that summarizes and memorializes the deceased. An epitaph poem, therefore, is a very short (and often witty) poem about the deceased. Write epitaph poems for Bod, Silas, Jack, and Miss Lupescu, or for yourself, or for a friend.
- Book Trailer. The short (30 seconds to 1 minute)previews of coming attractions (known as trailers in the movie industry) are a great way to entice an audience. Design a trailer for The Graveyard Book and be as creative as possible. Think about incorporating a script, costumes, props, sound effects, software applications (such as PowerPoint), and a video camera.
- Monster Trivia. Research some of the monsters featured in the book, such as werewolves, witches, vampires, ghosts, and ghouls, and write trivia questions about them. Some questions should be based on this particular book, while others may draw from popular culture in general. Create a minimum of 15 trivia cards.
- Supernatural Powers. Bod has several supernatural powers: the Slide, the Fade, and the Dreamwalk. Invent a fourth supernatural power for Bod, draw a picture of him, and label his four special abilities with captions.
Discussion Questions for Coraline.
Answer any 12 questions (you choose which 12 you’d like to answer) with a minimum of 2-3 detailed sentences.
- Describe Coraline. What kind of a person is she? How does she like to spend her time?
- How is Coraline treated by her parents? Who are the other adults in Coraline’s life and how do they treat her? What is the difference between how she is treated in the real world and the other world?
- Before entering the other world, Coraline receives ominous warnings about her future. What are the warnings and from whom does she receive them? What do the messages mean?
- When Coraline unlocks the door to the neighboring flat she knows she is doing something she is not supposed to. But she does it anyway. Why? What are the consequences? Have you ever done something you knew you were not supposed to? How did this make you feel? What were the consequences of your actions?
- When Coraline discovers her parents are missing, she calls the police. What does she tell the officer? How does he respond? Why? How would you respond if you were the officer? Why? What would you have done if you were in Coraline’s situation?
- How does Coraline define bravery? In what ways does Coraline demonstrate bravery? What is your definition of bravery?
- The other mother tells Coraline: “We’re ready to love you and play with you and feed you and make your life more interesting.” How is Coraline’s life with her other family different from life with her real family? What does Coraline find appealing about life in the other world? What family would you choose? Why?
- Coraline’s other mother tells her that if she wants to stay in the other world there is one thing she must do. What is it? What effect will it have on her?
- Why does the other mother want Coraline? What does the cat think about this? Why has she taken the other children and Coraline’s parents?
- Miss Spink and Miss Forcible give Coraline a special stone (p. 21). Why? What does the stone look like? What special power does the stone have? How does Coraline use it?
- What challenge does Coraline present to her other mother? What will happen if she loses? What will happen if she wins? What makes her think winning is possible? Do you think this challenge is wise? Why or why not?
- Do the mirrors Coraline encounters in the real world and the other world reflect reality or illusion? How do you know? What is the significance of mirrors in Coraline?
- When Coraline finds her other father in the basement he tells her to flee. When she refuses, he turns on her, and tries to harm her. How does Coraline respond? What happens as a result?
- Coraline explains to the old man upstairs, “I don’t want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if we just got everything we wanted? Just like that, and it didn’t mean anything. What then?” Do you agree or disagree with Coraline? Explain your thinking. How would you respond to her question?
- How does Coraline’s life change when she returns to the real world with her parents? What does Coraline learn from the experience of being in the other world?
- After Coraline returns to the real world she receives clues that the other mother’s work is not done. What are they? How does Coraline foil the other mother once and for all?
Now, the third book you must read should come from one of these lists – make sure it comes from the list you were assigned!
List 1:
In addition, you will choose one of the following books (Please choose a book that you have not read before. If you’ve read all three on the list, please email me and I can give you some alternate choices.):
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals and crumbling rooftops shelter runaways and children with incredible secrets…
Prosper and Bo are orphans on the run from their cruel aunt and uncle. The brothers decide to hide out in Venice, where they meet a mysterious thirteen-year-old boy who calls himself “the Thief Lord.”
Brilliant and charismatic, the Thief Lord leads a ring of street children who dabble in petty crimes. Prosper and Bo delight in being a part of this colorful new family. Then the Thief Lord invites them on a magical adventure to a land of forgotten mysteries that will change their lives forever!
Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan
The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have turned against each other. According to legend, only Swordbird, son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land.
The author, Nancy Yi Fan, wrote this book when she was just 12 years old!
The Children of the Lamp (The Akhenaten Adventure) by Philip Kerr
Meet John and Philippa Gaunt, twelve-year-old twins who one day discover themselves to be descended from a long line of djinn. All of a sudden, they have the power to grant wishes, travel to extraordinary places, and make people and objects disappear.
Luckily, the twins are introduced to their eccentric djinn-uncle Nimrod, who will teach them how to harness their newly found power. And not a moment too soon . . . since John and Philippa are about to embark on a search to locate a monstrous pharaoh named Akhenaten and his eerie tomb.
List 2:
In addition, you will choose one of the following books (Please choose a book that you have not read before. If you’ve read all three on the list, please email me and I can give you some alternate choices.):
H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute for Villainous Education) by Mark Walden
Clever enough to trick the most powerful man in the country, 13-year-old Otto
Malpense is a perfect candidate to become a villain. Dr. Nero, the headmaster at H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute for Villainous Education) selects Otto to be kidnapped and tutored in the art of villainy.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.
Tunnels by Roderick Gordon
Tunnels is the story of fourteen-year-old Will Burrows, who shares a passion for
digging with his father. When his father suddenly disappears down an unknown
tunnel, Will and his reluctant friend Chester unearth a dark and terrifying secret
underground — a secret that may cost them their lives. A spectacular subterranean science-fiction adventure!
Your Assignments:
For the third book, please choose from one of the following activities:
- construct puppets for the main characters and prepare a short puppet show reenacting an important scene in the book. Be prepared to share your reasons for choosing that scene.
- create a video to act as a commercial aimed at kids your age, trying to convince them to read the book. Remember, you want to give enough details to lure them into the book, but you don’t want to give away key plot points (and you certainly don’t want to give away the ending)!
- interview one of the main characters from the book. Write ten questions that you would like to ask that character, and also include the answers you believe that character would give. Want to get even more creative? Enlist the help of a friend and record the interview; we will play it in class during the first week of school.
- create a diorama depicting your favorite part of the story. Make sure to label characters, and be prepared to present your diorama in class.
Laurie
