Taking a September Break

Hello everyone!

Just like you, the Together Book Club is getting back to school this month. We’re taking a break to let everyone settle into their new routines, but we’ll be back with Shooting Kabul in October!

In the meantime, check out Together programs at these libraries across the state coming this fall:

• Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick (Orange County)
• Baldwin Public Library (Nassau County) — starting October 4!
• Brentwood Public Library (Suffolk County) — starting October 3!
• Fallsburg Library (Sullivan County)
• Geneva Public Library (Ontario County)
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum in Manhattan
• Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library (Suffolk County) — starting September 28!
• Uniondale Public Library (Nassau County)
• Valley Cottage Library (Rockland County) — starting October 4!

See you in October!

Fab Five Books

Here are my top five reads:

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Enjoy!

The end?

What did you think about the ending? Were you satisfied? Do you plan to read the rest of the trilogy?

Heroes

 

Peter Stuyvesant is a complex character–he shows that he is capable of change. Would you classify him as a hero in this story? Why or why not?

Who else is a hero? Toy? Wampage?

A Conversation with R.L. Stine!

If you like Goosebumps, check out this interview with R.L. Stine!

The New York Council for the Humanities, in collaboration with WAMC Radio’s newest program Person Place Thing, has created a conversation toolkit for the interview. Kids will have a chance to learn a little more about the writer behind the books and what inspires his stories. Discussion questions included in the toolkit also encourage kids to share their ideas about imagination, scary books, and more!

Listen to R.L. Stine as he talks about an important person, place, and thing in his life. Then, host a 90-minute conversation about the interview with kids at your school or library. Libraries, schools and other tax-exempt organizations that host a conversation can get a $25 Amazon gift card if they fill out this survey after their discussion.

Let’s keep the conversation going!  For questions, contact Council Program Officer Leah Nahmias (212-233-1131 or lnahmias@nyhumanities.org).

Bridges & Connections

Rory calls his sister, Bridget, Bridge for short–in what way is Bridget a bridge? What does she help connect?

Let’s think about the nature of truth….

Lights can see layers, and through them, others can see the layers too. What is it about truth that demands layers, versions, complications?

Strangers–dangerous beasts disguised as harmless little children

Hex explains ‘em this way: “The Strangers live in the shadows, feeding off children like wolves, calling them into the dark where no one can see them and devouring them. When your parents tell you to stay away from strangers, these predators are who they are unwittingly warning you about.” 

What else in this book lives in the shadows–what else is not what it seems?

Some Reading Suggestions

If you enjoyed/are enjoying Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus, be sure to read the rest of the trilogy, Spirits in the Park and The Sorcerer’s Secret, to find out how Rory and Bridget’s story plays out. 

Other books that fit into the history/fantasy/funny genre:

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, as well as his Heroes of Olympus series. Also Riordan’s Kane Chronicles, too. http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx

John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series as well as his Brotherband Chronicles. http://www.rangersapprentice.com/

The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins (and others by this author as well!)

Also, if you enjoy the Bridget character a lot and want a book with some super powered girls who solve mysteries and crime, check out Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series. http://allycarter.com/

Happy Reading!

History as Story

When Hex tells the story of the Munsees and the Gods of Manhattan, what parts ring most true for you? Why is this such an important story? Do you see how it could spark the plot for this whole book?

If you’re curious about learning more, check these sites out:

http://nyhistory.org/

http://www.bigorrin.org/lenape_kids.htm

http://www.lenapelifeways.org/lenape1.htm