Last of her Name - Discussion questions

1. Describe Charlemagne Reese—Charlie—and what’s recently changed for her. How is she dealing with these new changes?

2. What is the biggest change you ever faced?

 3. Why is Charlie mad at her sister, Jackie? Who do you think she should be most mad at? Why?

4.  What trick does Howard give Charlie to help her calm down? What do you do to calm down when you’re mad?

5. Why do you think Charlie yells at Bertha (pg. 45)? How does Bertha respond? Why do you think she calls Charlie a “blessing” (p. 53)?

 6. Describe the Odom home. How were Charlie’s first impressions of their home all wrong? How does the Odom family affect Charlie’s view of her own family?

7. Why is Wishbone so important to Charlie? Do you think Charlie and Wishbone have anything in common?

8. How does Charlie respond to Audrey at Sunday school (p. 113)? Compare it to the way Charlie responded to Audrey at the beginning of the book. What is different? What do these differences say about how Charlie is changing in Colby?

9. What are the mean words Charlie say to Howard that she regrets to say that? (P.147) What do you think of his reaction?

10. What do you do when you say something wrong?

11. How is Jackie different when she visits Charlie? Does Charlie like this difference? Why do you think Charlie wants to be more like her sister?

12. Why is the lunch note from Audrey’s mother more important to Charlie than to Audrey (p. 185)? What does it inspire Charlie to do the next day?

13. How are Bertha and Jackie’s view of Charlie’s mom different from her own?

14. How does Bertha try to make things right for Charlie?

 15. What do you think was her wish all along?

16. Do you like the book ending? Do you wish Charlie could go back to her own family? If you were the author, how would you end the story?

17. Have you ever made a wish when you see things you can wish on?

18. Read the list below and add more things you know (perhaps from the book) that you can wish on

WISH by Barbara O'Connor - Discussion Questions

1.      Describe Charlemagne Reese—Charlie—and what’s recently changed for her. How is she dealing with these new changes?
2.      What is the biggest change you ever faced?
3.      Why is Charlie mad at her sister, Jackie? Who do you think she should be most mad at? Why?
4.      What trick does Howard give Charlie to help her calm down? What do you do to calm down when you’re mad?
5.      Why do you think Charlie yells at Bertha (pg. 45)? How does Bertha respond? Why do you think she calls Charlie a “blessing” (p. 53)?
6.     . Describe the Odom home. How were Charlie’s first impressions of their home all wrong? 
7.       How does the Odom family affect Charlie’s view of her own family?
8.      Why is Wishbone so important to Charlie? Do you think Charlie and Wishbone have anything in common?
9.      How does Charlie respond to Audrey at Sunday school (p. 113)? 
10.      Compare it to the way Charlie responded to Audrey at the beginning of the book. 
11.      What is different? What do these differences say about how Charlie is changing in Colby?
12.      What are the mean words Charlie say to Howard that she regrets to say that? (P.147) What do you think of his reaction?
13.      What do you do when you say something wrong?
14.      How is Jackie different when she visits Charlie? Does Charlie like this difference? Why do you think Charlie wants to be more like her sister?
15.      Why is the lunch note from Audrey’s mother more important to Charlie than to Audrey (p. 185)? 
16.      What does it inspire Charlie to do the next day?
17.      How are Bertha and Jackie’s view of Charlie’s mom different from her own?
18.      How does Bertha try to make things right for Charlie?
19.      What do you think was her wish all along?
20.      Do you like the book ending? Do you wish Charlie could go back to her own family? 
21.      If you were the author, how would you end the story?
22.      Have you ever made a wish when you see things you can wish on?

18

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid - Questions for Discussion

1.   

1. What is Stink's real name? Can you guess why he has this nickname? 
2. Would you want to be nicknamed as “Stink”? Do you have a nickname? What is this?
3.  What did Stink have Judy do to him each morning and why?
4.  What made Stink think he is shrinking?
5.  Why did Stink’s hair turn orange? If your sister turned your hair to orange, what would you do?
6.  What holiday were the kids of 2D writing about? If you can choose a holiday to write about what holiday would you choose? Why?
7.  Who is Stink's favorite president? Why did Stink choose him?
8.  What was the 2D class pet?
9.  What Stink have to do with Newton that weekend?
10.  What did Judy think about Newton?
11.  What happened to Newton? In your own imagination what could happen to Newton?
12.  How did Stink’s teacher react with Newton’s garbage disposal incident? 
13.  Do you have a pet? If you do, what do you do to take care of your pet? If you don’t, would you want a pet? Why?
14.  What did Stink suggest to the Governor of Virginia? What did the Governor think of Stink’s suggestion?
15.  What did Judy give Stink to make him feel better?
16.  Do you think Stink is really shrinking? Have you ever had a feeling of being shrinking?
17.  Do you like the ending of the book? If you were the author, how would you end the story?
18. How many stars would you rate the book? Any suggestions for the next book club book?