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

October Grades 1 & 2 Book Club

  

For October's Grades 1 & 2 Book Club, we read The Coldfire Curse (Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly #1) by Jordan Quinn. Cora, Lulu, and Rosalie were present. We discussed the following:   

1. What happens on the island of Crestwood?

Ember has a crash landing and reveals he is suffering from the Coldfire curse. 

2. Where does Ember send Cinder? Why doesn’t Ember go himself?

Ember sends Cinder to find the king. The king is the only one who can stop the curse. Because Ember is suffering from Coldfire, he can no longer fly.

 

3. Who is Ruskin?

Ruskin is the beloved pet of the prince of Wrenly. 

4. What does Cinder call Ruskin when he finds him?

Cinders called Ruskin “My king.”  

5. What does Ruskin realize about the way he and Cinder communicate?

They can talk to one another. 

6. What does the legend about scarlet dragons say?

They are either destined for greatness or cursed to bring ruin.

7. Ruskin and Cinder get locked in the castle. How do they escape?

Ruskin burns a hole in the ceiling, and they fly out. 

8. How do the fairies help Cinder, Ruskin, and Groth?

They help with the potion. 

9. What happens to Groth? Cinder?

Coldfire curse

10. What saves Ruskin?

Inferno peppers

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

— 5

— 4.5

— 3.5 

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

 

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1) by Asia Citro

"In the first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it's up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what's wrong. Will they be able to help little Marshmallow before it's too late?"—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 Sydney Wright Room on Wednesday, November 3, 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.

 

November Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras #1) by Asia Citro

"In the first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it’s up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what’s wrong. Will they be able to help little Marshmallow before it’s too late?"—Summary

The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler

When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?

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    

October Grades 1 & 2 Book Suggestions

The Coldfire Curse (Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly #1) by Jordan Quinn

"As the pampered pet dragon of the Prince of Wrenly, Ruskin has never known life beyond the walls of the palace. Until the day a young dragon from Crestwood comes to the palace to plead for help. An evil curse has been unleashed in Crestwood and threatens to destroy all of Wrenly. Ruskin has a choice to make: stay safe at home in the palace, or try to help save his kingdom. For Ruskin, there is no choice. He knows he has to try and help if he can.

What Ruskin and his new dragon friends don't yet realize is that the curse was awoken for one reason only—to put Ruskin in harm's way. The mission to reverse the curse is far more dangerous than anyone realizes...in fact, it's seemingly impossible. Why is Ruskin the target of these shadowy forces? And how far is Ruskin willing to go to save his kingdom?"—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    

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 

August Grades 1 & 2 Book Club

 

For August's Grades 1-2 Book Club, we read CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington. Joshua, Katelyn, Rosalie, and Thomas were present. Here are some of the things we discussed: 

1. In chapter 1, what does the President realize? How does he reach this conclusion? What are the visual clues? What about the textual clues? 

2. Who does the President call for help?

3. Who are the CatStronauts? What are their names? How would you describe each one? What have they been called upon to do?

4. What happens when the engineers are assembling the rocket kit? How does this impact the CatStronauts mission? What does Blanket bring on the ship that helps save the mission?

5. Why is the cat wearing the "Neil" shirt significant? Who does he represent?

6. At the end of the CatStronauts mission, the Solar NRG Plant does not work. What does Waffles do to finish the mission?

7. Are the CatStronauts successful?

8. What is your favorite part of the story? What is your favorite illustration? Do you have a favorite CatStronaut? 

9. What did you learn from this story?

10. Does this story inspire you to read more books in this series? Would you recommend this series to a friend?

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

— 5

— 5

— 5

— 2

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

 

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale

"Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when ... Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret -- she's also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?" —Summary

We will be meeting on Wednesday, September 1 at 3:30 PM. Book Club will be held outside. In the case of inclement weather, Book Club will move into the Sydney Wright Room. 

To register, visit the circulation desk or email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com 

Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your copy!

September Grades 1 & 2 Book Club Suggestions

Gooney Bird Greene by Lowis Lowry

"There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one day and a polka-dot t-shirt and tutu on another? Gooney Bird has to sit right smack in the middle of the class because she likes to be in the middle of everything. She is the star of storytime and keeps her teacher and classmates on the edge of their seats with her 'absolutely true' stories. But what about her classmates? Do they have stories good enough to share?" —Summary

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale

"Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when ... Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret -- she's also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?" —Summary

Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby

"When Monster (who lives under the bed) meets Boy (who sleeps in the bed), Boy starts to scream, and Monster promptly swallows him. It's the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" —Summary

July Grades 1&2 Book Club

For July's Grades 1-2 Book Club, we read Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald. Piper, Archer, Cora, Kian, Rosalie, and Min were present for our discussion. In addition to discussing the following questions, we designed our own State Quarters!

1. What is Stink's real name?

2. Who is Stink's sister? Have you read any of the books about her?

3. How tall is Stink?

4. Stink gives his Dad 3 reasons why being short is bad. What are they?

5. How much does Stink shrink?

6. Who is Stink's friend?

7. What does the nurse tell Stink about shrinking?

8. What do you think of the comics?

9. Who is Newton?

10. What does Judy do with Newton what happens? 

11. How does Mrs. D react to Newton's garbage disposal incident?

12. Who is Stink's favorite president? Why?

13. What does Stink suggest in his letter to the Governor?

14. What did you learn about James Madison in Stink's report? What did you learn about James Madison in the Governor's response?

15. Does this story inspire you to read more books in this series? Would you recommend this series to a friend?

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

— 4

— 3

— 5

— 5

— ONE MILLION!

— No rating

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

 

CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington

"When the world is thrust into darkness due to a global energy shortage, the World's Best Scientist comes up with a bold plan to set up a solar power plant on the moon. But someone has to go up there to set it up, and that adventure falls to the CatStronauts, the best space cats on the planet! Meet the fearless commander Major Meowser, brave-but-hungry pilot Waffles, genius technician and inventor Blanket, and quick thinking science officer Pom Pom on their most important mission yet!" —Summary

We will be meeting on Wednesday, August 4 at 3:30 PM. Book Club will be held outside. In the case of inclement weather, Book Club will move indoors. Participants will be notified by noon, the day of, if the location changes. 

To register, visit the circulation desk or email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com 

Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your copy!