FYI for Book Club

Who: This club is open to students in Fourth grade through Eighth grade that want to read above and beyond regular school reading and would like to share their thoughts and ideas about the books they read.

When: All meetings take place on Mondays or Fridays during their lunch time. We will meet twice for each book that is read. At the first meeting I will introduce the book and at the second meeting we will discuss the book.

Where do you get the book: Because of the high number of students in the club I am not able to purchase books for all. Families use the public library, Loyola Intermediate library, or purchase the book. I did provide links to Barnes and Noble and Amazon -many of these books have used copies available. All books that I choose are in paperback form are less than 10.00 each. If you have financial difficulties please contact me and I will make arrangements for your child.

Requirements: There are two requirements 1. read the book 2. take Accelerated Reader test with passing grade of a 70% or better.

Extras:
When we meet at lunch we will have a yummy treat.
Busy or too many activities during a scheduled book time? Students do not need to participate in all books that are planned.
Please email me if your child is going to participate so that I will enough food at rcorcoran@macsmn.com I do not need a count for the second meeting - I will look at who has taken the Accelerated Reader test.
Please contact me with any questions. Look forward to reading with your students.

Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury

Introductory meeting: Monday, March 28th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Discuss book: Friday, April 29th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Meeting Place: Loyola Intermediate Library (Fitzgerald)

Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction (based on a true story)

Summary: On the Big Island of Hawaii, Dylan's Scout troop hikes down into the desolation of an ancient lava flow to camp on a small beach below the volcano. It's beautiful. Peaceful. But there's a problem: Louie Domingo. He and Dylan share a secret history, and it lies like a shark beneath the surface of everything they do.

... Until the world comes apart.

Foreshadowed by two mysterious howling dogs, a disaster of unearthly proportions strikes. No one is spared its horror. But over the next hours Dylan learns the true meaning of leadership and the will to survive. More amazing still is that this story actually happened.

(summary from Graham Salisbury's website)

Author: Graham Salisbury website is http://www.grahamsalisbury.com/home.html

Cracker, the Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata

Introductory meeting: Monday, February 14th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Discuss book: Friday, March 18th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Meeting Place: Loyola Intermediate Library (Fitzgerald)

Genre:
Historic fiction

Book Summary:
http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.asp?bookid=7606

Author's Website:

http://www.kira-kira.us/

Click here if you would like to learn more about military service dogs.

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Introductory meeting: Friday, January 7th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Discuss book: Monday, February 7th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Meeting Place: Loyola Intermediate Library (Fitzgerald)

Genre:
Coming of age, Realistic Fiction



Book Summary
Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip."
Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can someday become "hero."



Author's Website: http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_002.htm

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Introductory meeting: Friday, November 19th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Discuss book: Friday, December 17th during lunch
-includes treat at lunch
Meeting Place: Loyola Intermediate Library (Fitzgerald)

Genre:
Coming of age, Humorous, Touching

Book Review: (By Sara - Age 14, http://www.buildingrainbows.com/bookreview/reviewid/4067)
Have you ever had your heart set on something for a very long time, but what you have your heart set on refused to cooperate with you? Are you someone who is able to stick firmly with what you believe in? Well, Julianna does all of this, and more, in the book FLIPPED by Wendelin Van Draanen. Ever since second grade when Bryce Loski moved in across the street, Julianna Baker has had a crush on him. She shadowed him constantly and was as close to him as possible. Juli was like this up through seventh grade. However, Bryce thought differently of Juli. He could not stand her from the minute they met. All of that changed in the eighth grade when he saw her differently for the first time. Second through seventh grade, Bryce avoided Julianna and did all he could to try to get her to leave him alone -- without hurting her feelings too badly. Juli couldn't help how she felt about him, and Bryce couldn't help how he felt about her. Over time, things change; people's feelings change. Juli and Bryce ended up changing place at almost the same time. Juli lost interest in Bryce, and Bryce gained interest in Juli. No one can mess with fate and change each others feelings around to suit their needs. Juli had beliefs that she stuck to. Things that she loved she stayed with until the end, no matter how it would make her look to other people. When some people wanted to cut down the sycamore tree that she loved so much, she protested to save it. A lot of people thought doing this was dumb, but Juli knew what she wanted, and stuck with it. This book has two morals to it: don't change your feelings to please someone else; stand firm with what you believe in. If everyone was like Juli, everyone would respect one another.

Author info: Wendelin Van Draanen