Family Book Club: March Edition

Considering March is the only month that is also a verb, it’s fitting that this month could be measured by the word progress. Take an opportunity this Spring Break to get your family together for some book club time and make progress on all those reading logs and book reports that continue to roll in. Time is moving forward, the end of another school year is almost in sight, and this month will herald in a whole new season. Mark this month’s family book club with one of these three family-friendly picks.

About the Author: Pete Hautman is a National Book Award winner with almost two dozen books to his name. Six middle grade novels grace his career, including Slider. He became a fan of hip hop music after he discovered some CD’s on the side of the road while jogging (young kids may need a quick lesson on what a CD is!) and he also favors music from the 1940’s. Mr. Hautman started his writing career at the young age of nine with an autobiography, eventually publishing his first book in 1993. He has said his novels have taken anywhere from six weeks to twenty-five years to complete. It could be his love for hunting mushrooms that keeps him too busy to write.

For the Meeting: If you don’t serve up pizza for this meeting, your kids may not show up to a future book club meeting. Pizza is the only option for food when discussing this book. After all, it’s a pizza eating contest David enters to win the ultimate prize. Hot dogs—fresh, not purchased off the internet – will work, too, if someone doesn’t love pizza (which is hard to imagine).

Questions for Discussion:
• How does David feel about himself at the beginning of the book compared to the end of the story?
• Are you an only child, middle child, or younger child? How does that make you feel?
• Why doesn’t David’s family call Mal autistic? What are the advantages or disadvantages of that?
• If you had to enter a competitive eating contest, what would be your food of choice?

About the Author: Nidhi Chanani was born in Calcutta, India and raised in California, much like her character in Pashmina. Growing up, her image of India was one of poverty and despair. Her desire to write this book stemmed in part from the fact she wanted to show India as a place of spirituality, deep family connections, and beautiful landscapes. Honored by the White House in 2012 for her work as an artist, it took her three years to complete this book. She continues to draw every day in her current hometown of San Francisco and is working on a second graphic novel with her husband.

For the Meeting: Head out to an Indian restaurant or try your hand at cooking up some Indian food. There are a lot of Indian foods mentioned throughout the book. Have your family members pick out some of the dishes that interest them and set up a culinary buffet that would make Pri proud.

Questions for Discussion:
• How does Pri feel about her experience at school? What role does bullying play for her?
• How did you feel about this story as a graphic novel? Why were some of the panels black and white and some full color?
• Pri’s culture is a major theme in this book. What did it help you understand about Hinduism?
• What is your family heritage? Where would you most like to visit to learn more about your ancestors?

About the Author: Cassie Beasley lives near the Okefenokee Swamp, a natural character in this book, however the town of Murky Branch is not real. Ms. Beasley has said her ideas come from things she dreams up, although Munch’s character came to her after she spotted a golden alligator bracelet at a gift shop. When she originally started writing this book, Blue was the primary character. One day the idea of the Tumble character came to her, so she scratched what she had written and started over. This is the second novel for Ms. Beasley. Writing must run in the family genes, as her sister is a middle grade novelist as well.

For the Meeting: Imagine living where the author does, full of humidity and a lot of sweet tea. Dream up a southern feast to sit down and discuss the book. Prepare a couple magic tricks to imbue a little fantasy to the gathering.

Questions for Discussion:
• Why do Blue and Tumble think their families have been cursed since the early 1800’s? What evidence or proof do they have?
• How do Blue and Tumble work together? What characteristics do they share and what makes them different?
• Does your family have any legends passed down through the generations?
• Do you think you can ever reclaim your destiny?