THE WILD ROBOT - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

1.     How does Roz arrive at the island?

2.     In the story, we learn robots “don’t really feel emotions,” but Roz feels something. What does she feel? How do Roz’s feelings compare with how animals and people experience emotions?

3.     What does she has to do to get herself acquainted with her new surrounding?

4.     Roz has to use many skills to survive, what do you think were her best survivor skills?

5.     Toward the beginning of her time on the island, the animals see Roz as a monster. What change their attitude toward her?

6.     Why do the young bears, Nettle and Thorn, attack Roz? Why does Roz save Thorn?

7.     How does Roz become a mother?

8.     One of the other gosling moms said “You’ll never be the perfect mother so just do the best you can.” How was this advice helpful and true?

9.     Why does Roz need Brightbill and much as Brightbill needs Roz?

10.  How does Roz feel when Brightbill flies away for the migration?

11. How would you feel if you were Roz when Brightbill flew away?

12. Thinking about her purpose in life, Roz says, “Perhaps I am simply meant to help others.” In what ways does Roz help others? How do the animals help Roz? How is asking for help an act of courage?

13. What does Roz mean when she thanks her friends and family for teaching her “how to live”?

14. Who were the RECOS? What happened to them?

15. Why do the island animals come to Roz’s defense? 

16. Why does Roz decide to leave the island?

17. Do you like the ending of the book? If you were the author how would you end the story?

18. From 1-5, how many stars would you rate the book? Can you can what would happen in the next book? 

Because of Winn-Dixie - Discussion questions

 

 

1.     How did Opal become Winn-Dixie’s owner?

2.     Describe Winn-Dixie. If you meet a stray dog like Winn Dixie, what would you do?

3.     How did Opal convince her dad she needed to keep Winn-Dixie? 

4.     Why doesn’t Opal know very much about her mother? Why do you think Opal’s mother left? 

5.     What happened when the preacher and Opal left Winn-Dixie home? What happened when Opal brought Winn-Dixie into the church?

6.     Who was Opal’s first friend in Naomi?

7.     What did Miss Franny think Winn-Dixie was as he looked in the window of the library? Why was Miss Franny so worried about seeing a bear? 

8.     What plan did Opal come up to pay for the collar and leash? 

9.     Why did Opal call Stevie and Dunlap call Bald Headed baby?

10. What does it mean to have a green thumb? Do you have a green thumb?

11. How did Winn-Dixie behave during the thunderstorm? 

12. What was Otis doing in the pet store when Opal arrived early to work?

13. Why did Opal enjoy going over to Gloria Dump‘s house so much? What did she do there to help Gloria Dump?

14. Describe Miss Franny’s great grandfather’s experience of fighting in the war? What did he find after walking home from the war? 

15. What did Miss Franny’s great grandfather do with his life after the war? What’s the secret ingredient of the candy Miss Franny gave the girls?

16. Why did Opal first think Otis was a criminal? Why did Otis go to jail?  

17. How did Opal come up with the idea to have a party and invite her friends?

18. Who were invited to the party? What kind of sandwiches did Gloria and Opal make for the party?

19. What happened when the weather turn into the rainstorm?

20. Where had Winn-Dixie been during the thunderstorm? What made Winn Dixie go out of the hiding place? 

21. Do you like the ending of the book? If you was the author, how would you end the book? 

22. Do you like the book? How many stars would you rate the book? 

Spy School - Discussion Questions

 

1.     Who is Ben Ripley? What happens when Ben come home from school?

2.     What is Ben’s first impression of Alexander Hale? If you were Ben would you join Spy school?

3.     How do Ben meet Erica Hale? How do their interactions with Ben increase the drama in the story?

4.     What is SACSA exam? Does Ben ace this exam?

5.     How does Ben fight back the assassin?

6.     What is the real reason Ben is chosen to join the CIA?

7.     If you were Ben would you go home or continue to be at the school? 

8.     The author uses the word espionage throughout the novel. For example, Ben is recruited to the Academy of Espionage. What is espionage?

9.     Who is Ben’s best friend at home? Compare and contrast Ben’s reputation at home and at Spy School.

10. Chapter 14 is titled “Provocation.” What does provocation mean? Why does Erica ask Ben provoke the principal?

11. What is Operation Jackhammer?

12. How does the development of Professor Crandall’s character help to shape the theme of the novel? What is the theme of the novel?

13. How does Ben find the mole? How does Murray Hill’s character manipulate the reader?

14. What is SPYDER? Why is SPYDER one step ahead of Ben and Erica? If you were Ben would you join SPYDER organization and become a double agent?

15. Why does Murray set the bomb at that location and at that time?

16. How does Ben stop the bomb? Who did actually defuse the bomb?

17. Is Ben a good shooter? How does he defeat Murray Hill?

18. Do you like the book ending? From 1 to 5, how many stars would you rate the book? 

My Side of the Mountain - Discussion Questions

 

1.     Why do you think Sam is drawn so strongly to his great-grandfather's land?

2.     Why don't his parents search for him and try to bring him home?

3.     Why does Sam say that fire is his weapon and that with fire he can "conquer the Catskills"?

4.     How does Sam find the Gribley Farm? Who helps him?

5.     What do you think of Sam’s tree house? If you was Sam what kind of shelter would you make?

6. Why does Sam lie to the strawberry-picking woman? Do you think it was the right thing to do? Why or why not?

7.   How does Sam find Frightful?  Do you think it was mean of Sam to take Frightful from her mother?

8. Sam tells the reader he was “too frightened to move” when the weasel “The Baron” burst out of the trap. How do you think you would have reacted in a similar situation?

9. Why does Sam think it is okay to take the hunter’s deer?

10. What is Sam trying to train Frightful to do? Do you think he will succeed?

11. How does Sam discover that his diet is not providing him with balanced nutrition?

12. What does Sam do to survive through the winter in the mountain?

13. How does Bando get his nick name? Who is actually Bando?

14. Who is Matt Spell? How does Matt know Sam is the wild boy?

15. Is Sam happy that Matt and Bando want to make a guesthouse? Why?

16. Does Sam seem satisfied with the new arrangement at the end of the book?

17. What do you think Sam will do next?

18. Do you like the book? Do you want to run away after reading the book? How many stars would you rate the book? 

The Book of Chaos - Discussion Questions

 

 

1.     How did the Book of Chaos get into Fable’s bedroom?

2.     Why did Fable want to destroy the Book of Chaos? What happened when she try to do it?

3.     Who is Thorn? How did Fable meet Thorn?

4.     Who is Brennus? How did Fable and Thorn save Brennus?

5.     When Brennus was caught stealing, the villagers were ready to cut off his hand. Do you think this is a fair punishment? If you were Fable would you save Brennus?

6.     How did they find the Fey Witch’s house? Who is the Fey Witch?

7.     Why did Fable and her friends decide to leave the Tulip Manor? If you were Fable would you do the same?

8.     How did Fable, Thorn and Brennus end up in in the cage?

9.     Who is Endora? What did Fable, Thorn and Brennus find when they enter Endora’s mansion?

10. Why did Endora want Fable to join force with her? What would happen to Fable when she turns 13?  

11. Who is Arame? Why did Arame betray Endora and help Fable and her friends? 

12. How did Fable, Thorn and Brennus escape their room?

13. How did Fablle save Sir Reinhard and Timothy?

14. What happened to Endora? Do you think she will be captured inside the frame forever?

15. How did all of them get back to Tulip Manor?

16. Do you like the book ending? If you were the author would you end the story differently?

17. Fable and her Aunt Moira don’t communicate very well; they obviously love each other, but they have a hard time speaking to each other. Do you have a relationship like Fable and Aunt Moira? How can you communicate better?

18.   What are your predictions for the next book? Would you read the next book?

When You Trap a Tiger - Discussion Questions

 

 

1.     The first line in the book is: “I can turn invisible”. What do you think this line means? Have you been in situations where you wanted to be or thought you were invisible?

 

2.     Are Lily and Sam excited to move to Sunbeam to live with their Halmobi? Why and why now?

 

3.     Describe the first time Lily sees the tiger? Why does Halmoni hiss when Lily tells her about the tiger?

 

4.     Lily says Halmoni’s house “looks like a memory” (p. 16). What does this mean? Are there places that “look like a memory” to you?

 

5.     Explain what kosa is? Do you have similar ritual in your culture?

 

6.     Where does Lily meet Ricky?  Describe him. What makes Ricky worried that Lily thinks he’s stupid? 

 

7.     What does it mean when the author describes someone as “sticky“? 

 

8.     Describe Halmoni. What illness does she have?

 

9.     Why does Lily think the tiger can cure her Halmoni? What does she do to trap the Tiger?  Who helps her?

 

10. Do you think Lily should have made the deal with the tiger? What bargain does Lily accept from the tiger? 

 

11. Why does Lily do when she feels betrayed by Ricky? If you feel betrayed by a friend would you do the same?

 

12. The novel begins with Lily stating, "I can turn invisible." The book ends with her explaining, "I am a girl who sees invisible things, but I am not invisible." In two sentences, explain what you think she has learned?

13. Which of the main characters (Lily, Sam, Ricky, and Jensen) do you relate to the most? Why?

 

14. So much of When You Trap a Tiger is about loss— Lily and Sam lose their father before the story begins, and then they learn they are losing their Halmoni. How do the girls handle these losses? How do you handle loss?

 

15. Do you like the ending of the book? If you were the author how would you end the story?

 

16. Do you have a grandparent or someone like a grandparent in your life? How did you develop this relationship, and what are some special moments or interests you share?

 

17. Why is the library an important place? How important are stories in your life?