April Grades 1 & 2 Book Club: World at War, 1944

 

For April Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read World at War, 1944 by Mary Pope Osborne. Previously published as Danger in the Darkest Hour, this book is one of the Magic Tree House series. Cora, Ben, Toby, Caelan, and Noelle were present. Find our discussion questions on Rise to Reading. 

For May, we will be reading:

 

The School is Alive! (Eerie Elementary #1) by Jack Chabert

Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is alive and plotting against the students, and, as hall monitor, it is his job to protect them—but he will need some help from his friends.—Summary

To register, visit the circulation desk, email Ms. Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.
We will be meeting in the Meeting Room on Wednesday, May 4, at 3:30 p.m.


For New Book Club Members
At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

May Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

 

The School is Alive! (Eerie Elementary #1) by Jack Chabert

Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is alive and plotting against the students, and, as hall monitor, it is his job to protect them—but he will need some help from his friends.—Summary

The Lost Stone (The Kingdom of Wrenly #1) by Jordan Quinn

Meet Lucas, the eight-year-old prince, and Clara, the daughter of the queen's seamstress. Lucas is an only child who longs to make friends and go on adventures. Clara knows the kingdom well, so she and Lucas team up and explore the lands of Wrenly!

In The Lost Stone, Lucas and Clara search for Queen Tasha's missing emerald. On their exciting adventure, they travel to all the main attractions of Wrenly: Primlox (the island of fairies), Burth (the island of trolls), Crestwood (the island of dragons), Hobsgrove (the island of wizards), and the beautiful Mermaid's Cove. King Caleb has promised to reward the person who finds the precious stone, and Lucas and Clara are determined to search the entire kingdom until they find it!—Summary

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters (The Questioneers #1) by Andrea Beaty

Rosie Revere is no stranger to flops and fails, kerfuffles and catastrophes. After all, engineering is all about perseverance! But this time, Rosie has a really important project to tackle—one that feels much bigger than herself.

Rosie's beloved Aunt Rose and her friends, the Raucous Riveters—a group of fun-loving gals who built airplanes during World War II—need help inventing something new. And Rosie is just the engineer for the job!

After one flop...then another...and another...Rosie starts to lose hope. But thanks to some help from her fellow Questioneers Iggy Peck and Ada Twist, Rosie gets the job done. And, along with the Riveters, she rediscovers the meaning of home.—Summary

March Grades 1 & 2 Book Club: Willa the Wisp

For March's Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables #1) by Jonath Auxier. Caelan, Ben, and Toby were present. Today's activity was a Word Scramble. We discussed the following: 

1. How is Auggie different from other children?  

He has no parents. 

2. What is Auggie's job?

He cares for magical creatures. 

3. What are the Fabled Stables?

A magical place with a bunch of magical creatures

4. Who are some of the animals that live in the Stables? 

Hippopotomouse

Bush Squid

Long-Beaked Curmudgeon

Yawning Abyss

Gargantula

5. What is Miss Bundt working on for Professor Cake? Why is this important? 

A ladder. It is important because Auggie uses it to get a piece of the moon. 

6. Why does a new stall appear?

There was a new arrival, and the magical creature was in trouble. The new magical creature is Willa the Wisp.

7. What are the hunters hunting? 

Willa the Wisp 

8. How does Auggie rescue Willa from the hunters? 

Auggie uses Gargantula to help rescue Willa. Then, he takes a piece from the moon to heal her. 

9. If you could create a magical creature out of two animals, what would you choose? What would you name it?

A turkey vulture & a cat named Catavanger

A demon and a shapeshifter named Dshift

Mercury and Venus named Fire Icer

Please rate this book from 1–10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best.

10 out of 10!

9 out of 10! 

9 out of 10!  

For April, we will be reading:

 

World at War, 1944 (Magic Tree House Super Edition #1) by Mary Pope Osborne

"When the magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back to World War II, Europe is in trouble! It is June 1944 and the brother-and-sister team must go behind enemy lines and crack a code that could save a lot of lives. But this is war, and Jack and Annie might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can they save everyone before the great battle of D-Day begins? They don't know, but they have to try!"—Summary

Previously published in hardcover as Magic Tree House Super Edition #1- Danger in the Darkest Hour.

To register, visit the circulation desk, email Ms. Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.
We will be meeting in the Meeting Room on Wednesday, April 6, at 3:30 p.m.



For New Book Club Members
At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

April Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo

"To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she's a porcine wonder. And to the portly and good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons' bed. BOOM! CRACK! As the bed and its occupants slowly sink through the floor, Mercy escapes in a flash — "to alert the fire department," her owners assure themselves. But could Mercy possibly have another emergency in mind — like a sudden craving for their neighbors' sugar cookies?"—Summary

Miss Daisy is Crazy (My Weird School #1) by Dan Gutman

"Something weird is going on. Miss Daisy, who teaches second grade, doesn't know how to add or subtract. Not only that, she doesn’t know how to read or write either. She is the dumbest teacher in the history of the world!"—Summary

World at War, 1944 (Magic Tree House Super Edition #1) by Mary Pope Osborne


"When the magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back to World War II, Europe is in trouble! It is June 1944 and the brother-and-sister team must go behind enemy lines and crack a code that could save a lot of lives. But this is war, and Jack and Annie might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can they save everyone before the great battle of D-Day begins? They don't know, but they have to try!"—Summary

Previously published in hardcover as Magic Tree House Super Edition #1- Danger in the Darkest Hour.

February Grades 1 & 2 Book Club: Saving the Sun Dragon

For February's Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read Saving the Sun (Dragon Masters #2) by Tracey West. Benjamin, Toby, Calen, Danny, and Oliver were present.

Activity: We worked on a word search with vocabulary from the book. 

Discussion

1. What causes Kepri to get sick?
2. What do we learn about Ana’s background? Where is she from? What does her father do for work?
3. Who are Heru and Wati? Why are they important?
4. How does Worm save Ana? How does Worm save the rest of the Dragon Masters?
5. Why does Drake lie to King Roland? (p. 88)
6. Do you think Kepri belongs with Ana or Wati? (p. 75)
7. Drake was the first Dragon Master to link telepathically with his dragon. In this book, Ana is able to link with Kepri. Who would you want to share a telepathic link with?

Please rate this book from 1–10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best.

— 10 out of 10!

— 10 out of 10!

— 10 out of 10!

— 10 out of 10!

— 9 out of 10!

For March, we will be reading:

 

Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables #1) by Jonath Auxier 

"Welcome to the Fabled Stables, a magical building filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Creatures including the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Hippopotamouse . . . and Auggie. Auggie is the only human boy at the Stables, and he takes care of all the other animals. The Fabled Stables have a mind of their own, and every so often, the building SHAKES and SHUDDERS, TWITCHES and SPUTTERS--it's making room for a new arrival! It's Auggie's job to venture out and rescue a new creature from mortal danger. But will he be able to complete his mission before it's too late? With some help from Fen (a literal stick-in-the-mud) and his animal companions, Auggie saves the day and makes a new friend in the process."—Summary    


To register, visit the circulation desk, email Ms. Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.
We will be meeting in the Meeting Room on Wednesday, March 2, at 3:30 p.m.



For New Book Club Members
At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

March Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

The Lost Stone (The Kingdom of Wrenly #1) by Jordan Quinn


"Meet Lucas, the eight-year-old prince, and Clara, the daughter of the queen's seamstress. Lucas is an only child who longs to make friends and go on adventures. Clara knows the kingdom well, so she and Lucas team up and explore the lands of Wrenly!

In The Lost Stone, Lucas and Clara search for Queen Tasha's missing emerald. On their exciting adventure, they travel to all the main attractions of Wrenly: Primlox (the island of fairies), Burth (the island of trolls), Crestwood (the island of dragons), Hobsgrove (the island of wizards), and the beautiful Mermaid's Cove. King Caleb has promised to reward the person who finds the precious stone, and Lucas and Clara are determined to search the entire kingdom until they find it!"—Summary

Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables #1) by Jonathan Auxier


"Welcome to the Fabled Stables, a magical building filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Creatures including the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Hippopotamouse . . . and Auggie. Auggie is the only human boy at the Stables, and he takes care of all the other animals. The Fabled Stables have a mind of their own, and every so often, the building SHAKES and SHUDDERS, TWITCHES and SPUTTERS--it's making room for a new arrival! It's Auggie's job to venture out and rescue a new creature from mortal danger. But will he be able to complete his mission before it's too late? With some help from Fen (a literal stick-in-the-mud) and his animal companions, Auggie saves the day and makes a new friend in the process." —Summary

World at War, 1944 (Magic Tree House Super Edition #1) by Mary Pope Osborne


"When the magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back to World War II, Europe is in trouble! It is June 1944 and the brother-and-sister team must go behind enemy lines and crack a code that could save a lot of lives. But this is war, and Jack and Annie might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Can they save everyone before the great battle of D-Day begins? They don't know, but they have to try!"—Summary

Previously published in hardcover as Magic Tree House Super Edition #1- Danger in the Darkest Hour.

January Grades 1 & 2 Book Club: Rise of the Earth Dragon

 

For January's Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read Rise of the Earth Dragon (Dragon Masters #1) by Tracey West. Caelan and Cora were present. 

Activity: Color or draw your own dragon. What is the dragon's special ability? Why? 

Discussion

1. Who is our main character? Describe him.

2. We are told Drake is a peasant. What is a peasant? What images come to mind when you hear the word peasant? 

3. Who are the other Dragon Masters? Who are their dragons? What are their special abilities?

4. Who is Griffith?

5. Where does the soldier take Drake?

6. What told Griffith that Drake had the heart of a dragon?

7. How does Worm communicate with Drake? What does Worm show to Drake?

8. What is Rori's bad idea? What happens? 

9. How does Worm save them?

10. What are some of the questions left unanswered at the end of this book?

Please rate this book from 1–10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best.

— 10 out of 10!

— 9

Because we loved the first book in the Dragon Masters series and need to know more, for February, we will be reading:

 

Saving the Sun Dragon (Dragon Masters #2) by Tracey West 


"In the second book in this fully illustrated series, Drake and the other three Dragon Masters (Ana, Rori, and Bo) continue their training. But Ana's dragon, Kepri, is sick. The wizard tries to make her feel better, but his potions are not working. Drake's dragon, Worm, must use his special powers to take the Dragon Masters across the world in search of a cure. What made Kepri sick? Will the Dragon Masters be able to save her? And what dangers will they face along the way?"—Summary from Goodreads

To register, visit the circulation desk, email Ms. Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.
We will be meeting in the Meeting Room on Wednesday, February 2 at 3:30 p.m.



For New Book Club Members
At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

February Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly


"Marisol Rainey’s mother was born in the Philippines. Marisol’s father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. And Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard she calls Peppina, but she’s way too scared to climb it. This all makes Marisol the only girl in her small Louisiana town with a mother who was born elsewhere and a father who lives elsewhere (most of the time)—the only girl who’s fearful of adventure and fun.


Will Marisol be able to salvage her summer and have fun with Jada, her best friend? Maybe. Will Marisol figure out how to get annoying Evie Smythe to leave her alone? Maybe. Will Marisol ever get to spend enough real-time with her father? Maybe. Will Marisol find the courage to climb Peppina? Maybe."—Summary

The Used-to-be Best Friend (Jo Jo Makoons #1) by Dawn Quigley


"Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn—about how good Jo Jo is at cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly. Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore."—Provided by publisher

Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables #1) by Jonathan Auxier


"Welcome to the Fabled Stables, a magical building filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Creatures including the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Hippopotamouse . . . and Auggie. Auggie is the only human boy at the Stables, and he takes care of all the other animals. The Fabled Stables have a mind of their own, and every so often, the building SHAKES and SHUDDERS, TWITCHES and SPUTTERS--it's making room for a new arrival! It's Auggie's job to venture out and rescue a new creature from mortal danger. But will he be able to complete his mission before it's too late? With some help from Fen (a literal stick-in-the-mud) and his animal companions, Auggie saves the day and makes a new friend in the process." —Summary

January Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

 

January's selection!

We will meet on Wednesday, January 5, at 3:30 p.m.

Rise of the Earth Dragon (Dragon Masters #1) by Tracey West

"Eight-year-old Drake is snatched up by the King's soldiers and taken to the castle where he is told by the wizard Griffith that he has been chosen to be a Dragon Master like Ana, Rori, and Bo. His first task will be to discover whether his dragon, Worm, has any special powers."—Summary

Dinosaur's Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1, Graphic Novel) adapted by Jenny Lind

"Retells, in graphic novel form, the tale of eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie, who find a magic treehouse which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs."—Summary

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly

"Marisol Rainey’s mother was born in the Philippines. Marisol’s father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. And Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard she calls Peppina, but she’s way too scared to climb it. This all makes Marisol the only girl in her small Louisiana town with a mother who was born elsewhere and a father who lives elsewhere (most of the time)—the only girl who’s fearful of adventure and fun.

Will Marisol be able to salvage her summer and have fun with Jada, her best friend? Maybe. Will Marisol figure out how to get annoying Evie Smythe to leave her alone? Maybe. Will Marisol ever get to spend enough real-time with her father? Maybe. Will Marisol find the courage to climb Peppina? Maybe."—Summary

November Grades 1 & 2 Book Club

For November's Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafrass #1). Caelan, Cora, Lulu, and Rosalie were present. We colored in a worksheet that asked questions about the actions of each character while discussing the following:

1. If you had a special ability (like Zoey and her mom), what would it be?

2. What magical animal would you be most excited to meet?

3. How would you react if your adults told you they could see magical animals and talk to them?

4. What is the difference between warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals, and why is this important to the story?

5. How does the story end?

Please rate this book from 1–5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

— 10 out of 10!

— 5

— 3

— 5

For December's Book Club, we will be reading:

 

The Boxcar Children #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner

"Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are orphans. Determined to make it on their own, they set out to find a safe place to live. They discover an old, red boxcar that provides shelter from a storm. Against all odds, they make it into their home and become the Boxcar Children."—Summary

To register, visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280.
We will be meeting in the Meeting Room on Wednesday, December 1, at 3:30 p.m.




For New Book Club Members
At each session, the kids vote on a book to read for the next month. Then, Miss Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Children should finish the book before coming to Book Club. Please reach out with any questions.

December Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

The Boxcar Children #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner

"Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, four orphaned brothers and sisters, suddenly appear in a small town. No one knows who these young wanderers are or where they have come from. Frightened to live with a grandfather they have never met, the children make a home for themselves in an abandoned red boxcar they discover in the woods. Henry, the oldest, goes to town to earn money and buy food and supplies. Ambitious and resourceful, the plucky children make a happy life for themselves—until Violet gets too sick for her brothers and sister to care for her."—Summary

Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Treehouse #1) by Mary Pope Osborne

"Where did the tree house come from?

Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark, or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?"—Summary

The School is Alive! (Eerie Elementary #1) by Jack Chabert

"Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is alive and plotting against the students. As Hall Monitor, it is his job to protect them—but he will need some help from his friends."—Summary