Lucy Rose
About the series:
Lucy Rose is very unique, except she’d be the first to tell you that is not the right thing to say because you either are unique or not but you can’t be very unique— though if someone would qualify Lucy Rose would be it. First, there’s Lucy Rose’s fashion sense. She likes color- pink, orange, yellow green it all looks good on her, especially on the same day. Plus, she likes words. Lucy Rose collects palindromes and words that knock her colorful socks off. But Lucy Rose is worried about some things too, like the fact that her parents are separated and how she lives in Washington, D.C. 500 miles away from her dad and old friends. Plus it’s not easy being the new girl or trying to make new friends but Lucy Rose is a girl that will face the challenge with her red boots on! Melonhead, one of Lucy Rose’s new friends, begins his own series through the crazy antics that only nine-year-old boys are capable of creating!
Here’s the Thing About Me:
In the opening book in the series we meet Lucy Rose who is spunky, a smart cookie, and maybe just a little bit of a handful! She’s just moved to Washington, D.C. but only with her mom since her parents have decided to separate. She’s not thrilled about that idea, at all. But Lucy is making the best of it with her one-of-a-kind spark.
Pre-reading: Lucy has just moved. Have you ever had to move? What do you think are the most difficult things about moving away? Is there any way to make it easier on kids?
During reading:
1. List five things that you think are most important to know about Lucy Rose.
2. Create a character map with these parts: family, friends, description, what she says, what she does. At the end of each chapter add more to the chart and then discuss it as a class.
3. Write a letter to a friend (or to your teacher) about the story. Would you like to be friends with Lucy Rose? What
After reading:
Brainstorm a list of things Lucy Rose learns during her first year in Washington, D.C.
Make a list of things you’ve learned this year at school, too.
Lucy Rose writes emails and letters to her dad and grandmother. Write an email or letter to someone in your family about Lucy Rose or some other topic that is important for you.
Big on Plans:
It is summer and Lucy Rose is trying to fill her days by making a lanyard keychain and solving her grandfather’s problem with squirrels. But there’s an even bigger problem that goes by the name of Ashley, the new girl who is so snarky! Plus, Lucy is trying to stop her parents from deciding on a divorce. That is a whole lot of problems for one girl in one summer but Lucy Rose will give it her all!
Pre-reading: What activities do you most like to do in the summer? Do you ever get bored in the summer?
During Reading:
1. Fill out the following chart about the characters from Lucy Rose: Big on Plans
| Character: | Most Important Thing to Know About this person: | How you learned it And what page: |
| Lucy Rose | | |
| Mom | | |
| Dad | | |
| Madam | | |
| Pop | | |
| Jonique | | |
| Melonhead | | |
| Ashley | | |
2. As you read, make a list of the words that are new to you. Then try to use them as you are speaking that day or even in a sentence that you write. Or make a chart where you rate the words: never heard it, sounds familiar, could give a definition, could use in a sentence.
3. Lucy Rose, Melonhead, and Jonique are trying to solve Madam and Pop’s ultimate squirrel problem in the apricot tree. As you read, place a sticky note over the cause and effects of this adventure. Remember that everything that has an action has a reaction. Discuss the results as a class
After reading:
Create a Venn diagram that compares Ashley to Lucy Rose. What (if anything) do they have in common? How are they different?
Keep a journal inspired by Lucy Rose’s. Record at least one entry for each day. Don’t just describe what you did (though that’s a nice start!) but what you think, feel, remember, and wonder, too!
Busy Like You Can’t Believe:
It’s the beginning of 4th grade for Lucy Rose and that comes with lots of new adventures including trying to get along with Ashley and trying out for the play of Annie. And while she’s certain she’ll get the lead in the play (she has red hair after all, not to mention wads of talent) she’s not sure she can get along with that Ashley! One thing Lucy is sure of is that she wants to know what is going on and she has figured out a most excellent way of knowing: eavesdropping.
Pre-reading:
Do you know what eavesdropping is? Do you think it is a good idea or not?
During Reading:
Good readers always make predictions about what will happen next in a story. They base those predictions on what they know about stories, the characters, and thinking about the clues that have been given. At the end of each chapter of Lucy Rose write a prediction about what you think might happen next. Remember that it is not important that you’re right (after all readers love to be surprised!) but it’s important to try to figure it out!
Create a bookmark by folding a piece of paper in half lengthwise (or use an index card). On it list all the things Lucy learns while she’s eavesdropping on her mom and friends. At the end of the novel, go back through and decide what Lucy Rose learned in the end about all those pieces of information!
Inspired by Adam Rex’s illustrations create a sketch of another scene in the novel. On the back explain why you picked this scene.
After reading:
Write a short reader’s theater script from your favorite scene in the book and act it out for the class. (Lucy Rose would be so impressed!)
Create a poster (like the one Lucy Rose made about the play!) only make this one about the book! Convince readers why they would like this story with your poster.
Working Myself to Pieces and Bits
Lucy Rose is one smart cookie or maybe even a cupcake! Jonique’s family is getting ready to open a bakery only it is a lot more work and money than they ever expected. What will they do? Leave it to Lucy Rose to come up with a plan to Save the Day! While Lucy Rose does everything she can to raise money for the cause, Ashley does everything she can to make Lucy Rose miserable, especially calling her Mrs. Melonhead! How will Lucy handle Ashley and the pressure to succeed?
Pre-reading:
Have you ever tried to raise money? How can kids earn money? How do you think Lucy Rose might attempt it?
During reading:
- As you read find quotes that you think are important to understanding the story or the characters. On the left hand side add the quote and on the right add your response. Think about connections to your life or other books, memories, your thoughts about the writing itself or to things you’ve learned. Ex: “Grown-ups can be a disappointing lot” (p. 123)
- A summary is a short statement about the most important parts of a story. After you read each chapter write a short summary about what happened during that chapter. Be sure to focus on only the most important parts of the story.
- Make a list of all the ways people earn money in the story. Then discuss which jobs or schemes you’d most like to get involved in.
After reading:
Write a letter to Katy Kelly about what you learned by reading Lucy Rose’s stories. How did you feel about Ashley’s behavior? How would you try to raise money for friends? Would you have refused to walk with Melonhead too?
Lucy Rose makes Mrs. Hennessy a “Things to Remember” book with important pictures. Create a similar book for Alzheimer’s patients in your own town or come up with another idea that will amuse retired friends in a home. (Ex: write your own books or have a performance for them)
Create a piece of art that you think Lucy Rose would love. You can use any media you prefer (sculpture, paint, chalk, etc.) but you need to explain your choice of material, color and shape in a brief artist’s statement you turn in with the project.
Melonhead
Lucy Rose, one of Adam Melon’s good friends, gave him his preferred nickname: Melonhead. And while Melonhead’s mom is not thrilled about it he certainly is! Melonhead loves shortcuts, snakes, and inventing though all three get him into some interesting situations, and maybe a wee bit of trouble, too. And Melonhead is having some trouble trying to decide what type of contraption might win him a trip to the Challenge America finals for an original invention reusing everyday materials- if it doesn’t get him grounded first!
Pre-reading:
Have you ever tried to invent something? What do you think are the steps to making an invention?
During reading:
1.Readers get to know characters by studying what they say, what they do, how others react or talk to them, and what they look like. Fill out the following chart about Melonhead himself!
| Description | What he says | What he does | How others react |
| | | | |
2. Create a diagram or chart which lists the experiments and what Sam and Melonhead learned from each attempt for the Challenge America contest.
3. Since good readers always make predictions about what is going to happen next, write a question at the end of each chapter about what you hope will be answered. For example: I wonder if Melonhead will get out of the tree?
After reading:
Why, try a Challenge American invention for yourself, of course! Remember what Mr. Santalices said: try to create something new, original, and useful.
Melonhead wants to keep the snake he found but he’s not even sure what it needs at first to survive. Research the needs of your dream pet and calculate how much it would cost to not only purchase the pet but provide for him for one year.
Diaper Science: Get a variety of diaper brands and reenact the experiment that Sam and Melonhead conduct in the bathroom. What are your findings?
