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Family Book Club: December 2018 Edition
The last month of the year has finally arrived, and with it comes the festivities of the holiday season and a much-needed winter break. Wrap up a few of these book selections for your family and spend your time off reading and discussing, together. Granted, the season of giving will be full of presents and people and places to be, but these novels are a great distraction from the holi-daze. From a historical fiction pick to a modern Pakistani tale, all three of these books are kid (and parent!) approved.
Willa of the Wood (Willa of the Wood Series #1), by Robert Beatty
About the Book: Willa is a night-spirit of the Faeran people, a society that lives in the woods of the Great Smoky Mountains, circa 1900. Living with her mamaw, a woodwitch, Willa is taught to despise the human day-folk that live in cabins nearby and is forced to steal from them. Despite the magical powers of the woods and the gifts of nature around her, Willa faces numerous obstacles, including learning the truth about her human enemies and the reality of the society she lives in. Book one in a new series, the whole family will love this story and want to read more about Willa.
About the Author: A New York Times best-selling book, author Beatty is well known for his Serafina series. With three daughters of his own that inspire his writing, Beatty often explores the region of North Carolina where he lives, and where his books take place. A former tech world entrepreneur, he was once named Entrepreneur of the Year. Years later, he and his daughters embarked on a robot project that brought them to the White House where President Obama commended the family’s entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Beatty continues to write and has seen his books translated into more than twenty-two languages.
For the Meeting: Willa foraged for strawberries and blackberries in the woods and discovered lumps of cookies in the homesteader’s house. Serve up fruit and cookies and channel an early 1900’s vibe (perhaps by candlelight?) with no electronics in sight.
Questions for Discussion:
- What do you think it was like for Willa to live in the woods and not talk to people for days on end?
- How was the homesteader, Nathaniel, different from the padaran?
- What losses did Willa experience? How did these losses affect her?
- At the end of the book, what good came of destruction?
Ships in 1-2 days.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, by Stacy McAnulty
About the Book: A lightning strike turns out to be lucky for Lucy Callahan. She may not remember it happening, but now she can remember math skills that put her on a genius level. At twelve, this homeschooled student is ready to head to college, but must pass one more test. Middle School. At the insistence of her grandma, she must attend middle school for one year, make one friend, participate in one activity, and read one non-math book. Sounds easy enough? But not for Lucy. She must challenge herself in ways she’s never had to before. Readers will get to see the world through Lucy’s eyes in this endearing story.
About the Author: She’s the author of dozens of books, but this is McAnulty’s debut middle grade novel. Once a mechanical engineer (as a designer of airline seats), she quit her nine to five job and dedicated her life to writing in 2014. A mom to three kids, she is a big football fan and can often be found reading when not writing. Her career trajectory is surprising, given that as a reluctant reader in fourth grade she often counted the words instead of reading them. She still thinks commas are tricky.
For the Meeting: The digits of pi take over Lucy. Serve up some real pie (cherry, pumpkin, or apple all sound good) and discuss acquired savant syndrome before you start discussing the book.
Questions for Discussion:
- Why does Lucy think she is a reclusive genius? And why does Nana insist she enroll in school for one year?
- How do the people in Lucy’s life react to her OCD and compulsive behaviors?
- What are some characteristics of a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder? How do people in Lucy’s life react to her compulsive behaviors?
- How does Lucy feel about East Hamlin Middle School at the beginning of the novel compared to the end?
Ships in 1-2 days.
Amal Unbound, by Aisha Saeed
About the Book: As the older daughter, Amal must pause her studies to become a teacher and stay home to care for her siblings. Upset over this frustrating situation, she lashes out at the son of the landlord and must work off her own family’s debt by going to work for the landowner’s family. The lavish estate exposes the difference in the social hierarchy, while also exposing the unfair treatment of women. Becoming an indentured servant, Amal is faced with a difficult circumstance and fights to overcome the adversity she faces. Set in Pakistan, this book is an excellent opportunity to explore modern day non-Western cultures.
About the Author: Mom to three sons, Saeed previously worked as a lawyer and a second grade teacher. She loves redwood trees, Turkey (the country, not the animal), lists, cats, the beach, and chai. A self-proclaimed air hockey whiz, she speaks three languages and currently lives in Atlanta. One of the founding members of the We Need Diverse Books campaign, she thinks the secret to happiness is koala bears.
For the Meeting: Prepare a Pakistani style meal with kebabs, chicken tikka, and samosas. Potatoes and rice offer a perfect less-spicy options for picky eaters with mango for dessert. Discuss the book over your meal with some of the questions prompts below.
Questions for Discussion:
- What is Amal’s life like when we first read about her? How is her life similar and how is it different?
- What changes in Amal when she moves to Sahib’s house? What about her stays the same?
- How does Amal fight against the illegal practice of indentured servitude? Who helps her?
- In what ways are boys and girls treated differently in this story? Is this unique to Amals’ world?