Indianola K-‐8 BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS: January/ February 2017
Indianola Book Club We have three exciting selections in each grade level band (K/1; 2/3; 4/5; and 6-8) for the month of January. This a wonderful opportunity to “love a book” and share your reading adventures with peers in a relaxed lunch bunch setting! How does it work? • •
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Students will choose one book from the grade level list that you would like to read and discuss at the end of the month during the lunchtime book chat. Please read the entire book! Our discussions are much richer and livelier when we know the story well! Your reading should be completed by Monday, January 30, 2017. The dates for the lunchtime book chats are Tuesday, January 31st for 2/3 and 4/5 students and Thursday, February 2nd for K/1 and MS students. These dates will be followed barring any changes due to weather, field trips, etc. Books:
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Please review the grade level book selection list. There is a short summary for each book to help you make the best choice for your interest level. Students and parents are responsible for locating the book. You are welcome to check in with your teacher to see if they have a copy or know someone who does. However, the final responsibility for putting your hands on the book and reading it lies with you (the student). You should choose one book to read ONLY. When the lunch groups meet we will have all three selection chat occurring at the same time so it would be difficult to participate in more than one chat. If you have questions or you need to talk about locating a book please ask your book club chair: Tiffany Alexander (School Counselor)
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K/1 Families-- Please sign and return the following permission slip for your child to attend. Please note that if you have already returned your child’s permission slip for the 16-17 school year, you DO NOT have to complete another permission slip. My child ________________________ in room __________ has permission to attend Book Club, once each month. I understand that I am responsible to get this book for my child and read it together in time for next month’s discussion. I also understand that it would be easier for my child to pack his/her lunch on that day for time’s sake. Signature of Parent/Guardian ____________________________________________
Indianola K-‐8 BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS: January/ February 2017
Grades K/1 The Invisible Boy (Author: Trudy Ludwig) Brian feels invisible. His teacher hardly notices him, the other kids never invite him to play, and he eats lunch alone. But he loves to draw, so at recess, he creates comics about greedy pirates, battling space aliens, and superheroes with the power to make friends everywhere. One day, a new boy, Justin, joins the class. The other children make fun of him for eating Bulgogi, a Korean dish, but Brian slips him a friendly note. When it is time to find partners for a class project, Justin asks Brian to join him and another boy. Brian's artistic talents come in handy, and finally he is no longer invisible.
The Notebook of Doom #1: Ride of the Balloon Goons Book Alexander has just moved to a new town where he is about to uncover all sorts of monsters! He finds an old notebook with the word "DOOM" inscribed on the front cover. The Notebook of Doom, which Alexander now holds, contains top secret information about monsters! In this first book, Alexander goes up against spooky balloon goons--unique and twisted arm-waving balloon guys!
My Father’s Dragon Book #1 (Author: Ruth Stiles Gannett) The story begins when Elmer Elevator runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island.
Indianola K-‐8 BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS: January/ February 2017
Grades 2/3 El Deafo (Author: CeCe Bell) Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear— sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the phonic ear and more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world.
Oggie Cooder Book #1 (Author: Sarah Weeks) Oggie Cooder has a talent — he can charve better than anyone else in Truman Elementary School. (Charving, for the uninitiated, is the carving of a piece of cheese with one's teeth.) Oggie doesn't think this is anything special — but his whole school will soon be disagreeing with him. Because after he inadvertantly charves during a nationwide hunt for unusual talents, his charving puts him on the path to fame and forture. Suddenly, he's the star of the school . . . but he's not sure that he wants to shine that way.
Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly Bean (Author: Cynthia Lord) Suzannah's always wanted a pet of her own, but she lives in an apartment where there are absolutely no pets allowed. What she CAN do is volunteer at a local pet shelter. There, although she's the youngest, Suzannah quickly finds herself making friends with the kids and bonding with the animals. Then a girl just her age brings a guinea pig named Jelly Bean to the shelter. Suzannah promises that she'll find the little creature the perfect home. But what if no one wants an abandoned guinea pig?
Indianola K-‐8 BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS: January/ February 2017
Grades 4/5
Wonder (Author: R. J Palacio) August Pullman is not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. August was born with a genetic defect that caused his facial features to be severely deformed. His life has never been "normal." Despite his differences, August and his parents decide to transition him from home school to private school now that he's entering fifth grade. But August has to deal with so much more than just being new. Will he make friends? Will he decide to stay at the school? And can the people around him learn to see past his appearance?
Because of Mr. Terupt (Author: Rob Buyeau) It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s Jessica, Alexia, Peter, Danielle, Anna, and Jeffrey, who each have their own story. Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone.
The Million Dollar Shot (Author: Dan Gutman) When Eddie Ball finds out about the Finkles contest -- a chance to win a million dollars just by sinking a foul shot at the NBA finals -- he realizes it could be the end of his family's troubles, especially since his mother was just laid off from the Finkle factory. But someone really wants Eddie to shoot an air ball, and will do almost anything to sabotage his million dollar shot.
Indianola K-‐8 BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS: January/ February 2017
