Hello Lovely Readers!
As it is now the end of March, it is time to discuss ‘The Hobbit’, which, even though this month was taken over somewhat by ‘Jane Eyre’, was still our March book.
I love the Hobbit and you can read my introductory post HERE.
If you were able to read the Hobbit this month (or if you’ve already read it), I would love it if you would partake in the discussion on this post.
Below are three questions to consider (which I did not write), regarding the story and you are welcome to comment on this post with your thoughts. I would love to hear your impressions of this fabulous story. These questions are just to get the wheels in your head turning, and if you have other thoughts or observations to share, feel free!
1. What factors define a person’s identity in The Hobbit? Do individuals
have any power over who they become, or are their characters entirely
determined by static factors such as family and race?
2. Describe Tolkien’s use of humor in The Hobbit. From what authorial
techniques and sources does the book draw much of its wit? How does
Tolkien’s lighthearted tone impact the portrayal of the more serious
elements of the plot? Is The Hobbit primarily a comedy?
3. Talk about the plot. What was more important, the characters or the plot?
Was the plot moved forward by decisions of the characters, or were the
characters at the mercy of the plot?
Happy Reading!
I have a strange feeling inside that not too many of us participated in the reading this month. *smiles*
I’m not posting any discussion questions and I would just like to hear the opinion of those who did read the book.
If you’ve read other versions of Robin Hood, how did this one differ?
If so, were the differences favorable or not?
In your opinion, which version of the classic folktale is the best?, etc.
There are many retellings of the legend of Robin Hood, this month, we are reading the one that was written by Paul Creswick and was published in 1903.
Purchase it on Amazon.com (and support LLDS) here:
Robin Hood
Or read it for free from Project Gutenberg here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28700
Happy Reading all!
(LLDS’s one year anniversary is coming up with a great giveaway and more…)
Liberty here again!
So, October is coming to a close! Go us! (Of course, that means November is coming, which means hot chocolate and NaNoWriMo, two of the greatest inventions of mankind. But I digress.)
As I was too busy (or too lazy, take your pick) to find discussion questions this month, I guess this is just going to be a free-for-all. Bring up things about Journey to the Center of the Earth that you liked, enjoyed, noticed, whatever. Have fun with it. Be humorous. Be ye forewarned that any particularly witty comments may or may not be stolen and used as plot gambits in my NaNoWriMo novel.
Yeah. Peace. Have fun discussing.
‘Ello folks. It’s Liberty here, Cassie’s co-admin/writer/person.
This is one of my favorite books, mostly because it is by Jules Verne, who I adore, and also because it’s exciting and interesting, and presents an interesting view of science. 
So yes. Jump in there and have fun people! 
I’m only a few days late on this one! *smiles*
So… did you all get to read the fabulous ‘Mysterious Benedict Society’? I had never read it before this month and I finished it in less than three days… I loved it!
I was able to do some research and I found these questions to help prompt your thoughts (You can also comment with ANY aspect of the book that you either liked or disliked, the questions are just there for fun.) I plan on answering some of them too, but probably after my mom, dad, and new sister get back from China…  Until then, I’m swamped.
Discussion Questions:
1. Mr. Benedict recruits children who are all alone in the world. Why? Is it a good reason, or a bad one?
2. Reynie says he doesn’t like television. Do you believe him? How do YOU feel about television? What kinds of messages really do come through TV, radio, and movies? Are they usually positive or negative?
3. Why is it so important for the Society to stay together and work as a team? Even though Constance seems to be a burden at times, what does she bring to the mission?
4. This book shows kids living very independently. For instance, before Mr. Benedict found them, Constance was living in a city library, Kate had joined the circus, and Sticky stowed away on a river barge. Do you think it’s really possible for kids to live like that? Do you think kids should be allowed such independence? Would you like to live on your own? What would you do?
5. At The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (L.I.V.E.), the children in the Mysterious Benedict Society are taught that there are no rules. What is ironic about this statement? Is there any truth to it?
6. There are several ranks at LI.V.E., including Executives and Messengers. What are the benefits of being an Executive? A Messenger? How do the kids serving in these roles differ from the members of the Mysterious Benedict Society? How are they the same?
7. What is the Whisperer? Why does it make the Messengers feel so good about themselves? Why are Reynie and Sticky so terrified to become Messengers? Are their fears founded?
8. Ledroptha Curtain and Mr. Benedict are both men guided by very strong beliefs that are very different — in what ways are
they similar? Do you think that they could ever work together? Why?
9. Which of the four members of the Mysterious Benedict Society do you think has the best skill? Why?
10. What is YOUR special skill? What role would you play in the Mysterious Benedict Society?
11. How has the Mysterious Benedict Society helped each member grow? What do you think will happen to each of them in the future?
For some fun, check out the Curiosity Chronicle- the book’s official website… it has games, downloads, and other oddities
ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities?
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear listener, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the mysterious benedict society.
(From Barnes and Noble)
To purchase this book (from Amazon) please go HERE or visit the Literary Ladies Store.
Goodness! Can you all believe that it is the end of April already? I certainly cannot!
Alright then, about the book:
I am including some discussion questions below that I would like the members who participated this month to read through. You don’t have to take the time to actually answer them in the comment box (unless you really want to) but I’d like you to use these to get your thoughts started and you can chose to share only what you personally found most significant in the story.
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT
- When Charlotte meets Captain Jaggery in Chapter Four, she feels reassured that her world has been regained. What does she mean by her world?
- Just before he leaves Charlotte on the ship, Mr. Grummage says “in my world, judgments as to rights and wrongs are left to my Creator.” Who decides right and wrong in Charlotte’s world? How does this change as the story continues?
- When Zachariah offers Charlotte tea and friendship, he says that he and she have much in common. What do you think they have in common? What does Charlotte have in common with Captain Jaggery?
- After giving her the knife and sharing information about the Seahawk’s previous voyage, Zachariah asks Charlotte if she believes in justice for all. Charlotte answers that she believes in justice “for those who deserve it.” How does her sense of justice change as the story continues?
- When Charlotte tells Captain Jaggery about the knife, why does she lie and say Grummage gave it to her? Why does the captain insist that Charlotte keep the knife? Mr. Barlow tells Charlotte that the captain put the sailors on display for her benefit. Why would the captain do that?
- Does it seem realistic for a 13-year-old girl to do the physical work of sailoring-in good weather and in hurricane-as Charlotte does? Since the total voyage lasts only a month or two, would she have time to learn the skills required of a crew member? If she managed to overcome these difficulties, might Captain Jaggery be justified in thinking of her as “unnatural”-that is, outside the normal order of things?
- Early on, Zachariah told Charlotte that a ship captain is like a king or even a god to his people. If that’s true and the sailors were attempting a mutiny, was the captain doing his duty in shooting the stowaway and punishing the would-be mutineers? Charlotte tells the captain that singling Zachariah out for punishment isn’t fair. Is fairness the same thing as justice? Why does the captain ask Charlotte to choose the man to be punished for the attempted mutiny?
- Zachariah says “To kill a hand during such a storm, when everyone is desperately needed, takes a kind of . . . madness.” Do you think the captain is insane? Why does he hate Charlotte so intensely?
- After Keetch betrays Charlotte and Zachariah’s plan, the captain offers Charlotte three choices: to carry out the mutiny, to sail safely home as a normal young lady passenger or to be hanged for murder. Why doesn’t Charlotte consider the first two options?
- Major events in the story depend on Charlotte’s misjudging the people around her-Zachariah, the captain, Keetch and her own father. Does the book suggest how a person might make wiser judgments about people and situations?
- Why does Captain Jaggery’s defeat depend on an accident?
- Charlotte says she had been taught to believe that “greater freedom held sway” in America than in Britain. Is this another misjudgment, according to the book?
- This book has been published with several different covers. Find as many different covers as you are able and compare them. Which cover do you think is most appealing? Which cover most accurately represents the story? If you only have one example of the cover art, do you feel it represents the story well?
- The appendix contains diagrams of the parts of a ship. Did you refer to these during the course of the book? How did they enhance your understanding of the story?
Remember, I would love to hear all of your thoughts and it just takes a minute to write out what stood out to you the most or what you thought was the most significant theme in this incredibly original story.
Love and Blessings,
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle boards the Seahawk for the voyage from England to America where she will be reunited with her parents. Believing that she will be traveling with two other families, Charlotte arrives at the dock to discover that she will be the only passenger—and the only female—on the long journey. Evil, danger, mutiny, and, ultimately, courage await Charlotte in this tale of adventure and self-discovery
From Glencoe Literature
Ready to read this incredible book in April? Personally, I discovered this book many, many, years ago and it has always been a favorite of mine. In fact, my copy is so tattered and worn that I do believe that it is almost time to start looking for a new one. Anyway, I love ‘The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle’ and I hope that you all feel the same!
Love and Blessings,
|
|
|
Recent Comments