The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny

TEACHERS:  If you're looking for high adventure for reluctant readers look no further!  The guides to the entire series are on this blog, too! Enjoy!  -TVZ


The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny
Book Three
by Michael P. Spradlin

About the book:
Tristan and his companions—the fiery archer Robard Hode and the assassin maid Maryam—have escaped to England. But tragedy has occurred at Tristan's beloved abbey while he was away, and Robard's home in Sherwood Forest suffers under the rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Many obstacles still prevent them from delivering the Holy Grail into safe hands. Tristan must defeat the evil Sir Hugh in one final battle. And he must learn the secret of his birth, a secret Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine are willing to kill to protect!.

Praise for the series:
“This is a winner!”- KLIATT, starred review
“[A] stirring saga” – Booklist
“[M]emorable.” – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Brilliant” and “Riveting” School Library Journal

About the author:
In addition to penning the international bestselling Youngest Templar trilogy, Michael P. Spradlin is also the author of the Spy Goddess novels and several picture books. He lives for the day he can become a full-time writer. He was born in a small town in Michigan and grew up with a healthy and natural suspicion of all Hoosiers and Buckeyes. When he is not writing, he travels the world in his fully automated yacht, aboard which he enjoys cooking, water skiing and plotting Total World Domination. He’s just kidding about that last part. He really doesn’t enjoy water skiing.

Author Interview:

1.Did you map out the entire series from the beginning or did fate play a hand in any of the writing?

I use what I call the “Umbrella Approach.” I sort of know where the story starts and ends in a general way, but I then let the characters take over and tell the rest. It’s much better for me that way. A perfect example is the character Robard. Originally, I thought he and Tristan would meet briefly in Book One, then reconnect in Book Three. But the moment he stepped on the page he was so forceful he demanded to stay. And the series is so much the richer for it.


2.What have you learned about writing while creating this riveting series?

I hope I’ve improved as a writer from book to book and as always I’ve discovered that my characters are always oh so much smarter than me.


3.What can your fans look forward to next?

My next book is called The Raven’s Shadow. It takes place in Washington DC in 1825 and features a teenage Charles Darwin, Edgar Allan Poe and Abraham Lincoln who must team up and save the world from an ancient evil the world will someday come to know as Count Dracula.

Pre-reading:

Brainstorm a list of everything a reader should know or remember about Tristan, our young hero, and his companions Robard and Maryam. At the end of each chapter make a prediction about what you think will happen next and why.

Discussion guide:

1.Who is speaking in the prologue? Why is he struggling? What are his problems and conflicts?
2.In the opening chapter Maryam is set to hang in the gallows. What happens? Why does the Queen offer a threat to Tristan? Do you believe her?
3.What happens to Tristan in Calais? Have you ever suffered a serious injury? What can be the effects? How does it change their journey throughout the novel?
4.In chapter three Tristan is delirious with pain and fever. What images appear to him? Who are Tristan’s enemies? Why do they want to stop him?
5.Where do the heroes finally land? Why does this make Robard so happy? Where are you happiest?
6.How has Dover changed from when Tristan was there last? What do you think happened to this thriving town?
7.What does Robard believe Tristan should do with Sir Hugh? Do you think his opinion is justified or not?
8.The troupe generally follows Tristan’s decisions. Would you? With whom do you agree with in the story: Tristan? Robard? or Maryam? In a battle whom would you want by your side? Why?
9.How is Tristan  able to turn the people of Dover against Sir Hugh and company?
10. What would Sir Hugh do with the Holy Grail? In modern times, is there an equivalent to this type of power? How is power wielded between nations and factions in modern countries?
11. Who is Little John? How do they come across him? Why does Robard object to him at first? How does he gain his trust and prove his worth?
12.Maryam tells Tristan concerning his feelings for Celia, “ You don’t choose love, Tristan, love chooses you.” (p.91) Do you agree? Does it seem that who we end up loving is somehow not quite under our own control?
13.Describe what Tristan discovers at St. Albans. What and who are left? What does he learn of his heritage?
14. Does he believe he could actually be from nobility? Who would be his father? How does this explain some of the troubles he has faced?
15. Describe the long journey to Robard’s home.  How does it compare to a long journey you’ve taken?
16. Explain why the trio makes friends with bandits. How did they turn to this lifestyle? What would it take to turn you into a bandit?
17. How is Robard’s early life not exactly as he described it? What has happened in his absence? Would you react more like Tristan or Robard? Why does Robard knock Tristan unconscious?
18. How does Tristan handle the situation with Shire Reeve? What does Robard do for his countrymen? How does this gain their loyalty?
19. How does Robard decide is the only long-term way to defeat the Shire and others like him? How does he ask for Tristan’s help? Predict how he will help others in the future (from what you have read in other books or films)?
20.List the steps Robard and Tristan design to defeat the Shire Reeve in the forest. What do they use to defeat them? Why do the people of Sherwood come to fight?
21.Why do Robard and Maryam insist on accompanying Tristan all the way to Rosslyn? To whom would you make this type of oath, if anyone? Why?
22.Describe their journey to Scotland. What does Robard discover after his tutoring? How do the locals treat them?
23. When they finally reach Rosslyn, what discoveries does Tristan make? Why must he finally face Sir Hugh?
24.Describe the final battle between Tristan and Sir Hugh. How does he deal with his nemesis? In the end, is his quest successful?
25. Discuss the ending: what are the heroes plans for the future? Where does Tristan decide he must go? Predict what he will be doing in five years.

Projects:

Language Arts:
Write three letters as you read the novel. One as Tristan (to Celia, perhaps?) as Robard (to his mother?) and Maryam (to a sister or cousin at home?) about what they have seen and discovered.

Reading:
Good readers always make predictions as they read about what they think will happen next. Predictions are not just grabbed from the air but are based on what they know about story, clues from the book itself, and what they know about the genre they’re reading. At the end of each chapter, write a prediction based on the evidence. Use page numbers to support your predictions. Remember: predictions are often wrong! Readers love to be wrong!

Art:
Design a movie poster, which is based off the series.

or

Draw, paint or sculpt your favorite scene from this novel or the other two Templar books.

History:
Research one of these topics from the novel: English history, Robin Hood, The Knights Templar, Scottish clan history, Holy Grail, the crusades, medicine in the middle ages, etc.


Guide created by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

It's Raining Cupcakes

 A darling middle-grade book which you just can't help but gobble up in one bite! My daughter and I both loved this story...    TVZ


It’s Raining Cupcakes
by Lisa Schroeder


Author Interview:

1.Can you describe how this story about Isabel was mixed together?

    I came up with the idea for the book when I was driving home on a gloomy day     and I had this strong desire to write about something happy. I started brain-
    storming topics that would make people smile at just the mention of a word.
    When cupcakes came to mind, I thought, what fun it would be to write a book
    set in or around a cupcake shop! When I started writing, the character of Isabel     came to me as a girl who enjoyed baking and dreamed of traveling. Sometimes
    I have to work at developing my characters, but Isabel came to me just like that,
    and since I had similar interests and dreams at her age, she was easy to write.

2.What ingredients about writing do you like the best? What makes you pucker?

    I really love playing around in the first draft. I especially love it when I get lost
    in the story and the words come easily to me. Plotting the book is probably the
    hardest part of writing a book for me. If I can get it right the first time, great,
    but if I don’t, and I have to fix it in revisions, it can be really hard! Of course,
    revisions are necessary to make the book sparkle and shine, but revisions seem
    more like work to me, whereas writing the first draft is like playing in a
    sandbox and just having fun.

3.Did you use this book as an excuse to bake? How much fun was it to come up with the cupcake recipes?

    I love to bake, and although it was fun coming up with the recipes, it was also     kind of difficult. I had to try a few different ones before I finally got it right.
    My editor was the one who suggested coming up with some cupcake recipes
    so after kids read the book, they could make cupcakes if they were suddenly     hungry for them. It’s also fun for book clubs to have a recipe they can make and     serve the day they are discussing the book!


    About the author:

 Lisa Schroeder is a native Oregonian, which means her childhood summers were spent camping, fishing, reading books, and playing in the sun, when it finally came out. These days, Lisa spends her summers, and every other part of the year, sharing all the wonderful things Oregon has to offer with her husband and two sons. Besides It’s Raining Cupcakes she is also the author of three verse novels for young adults published by Simon Pulse - I Heart You, You Haunt Me, an ALA 2009 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Far From You, a Texas Tayshas selection, and Chasing Brooklyn.

Pre-reading:

What are your favorite things to do with your mom? Would it still be fun if you turned it into a business?

Discussion questions:

1.After reading chapter one, list everything you already know about Isabel and her family. What does she want?
2.Describe how Isabel’s life has changed since her mom began pursuing her dream. Make a list of what’s good and bad about it. How would you feel in Isabel’s shoes?
3.How is Isabel trying to earn some money for the summer? What does she want to use it for? Is babysitting a good way to make money or not? Like Isabel, do you feel stuck where you live or do you feel like you belong?
4.How does Sophie change Isabel’s summer in a New York minute? What kind of contest would you consider entering?
5.Why is Isabel upset when her mom insists she make a cupcake recipe for the contest entry? Describe Isabel’s relationship with her mom.
6.Explain what mistake Isabel made while babysitting Lucas and Logan. What consequences does she face because of this one error? Do you think the boys’ mom acted fairly or not? Why?
7.Why haven’t Isabel and her parents traveled anywhere? Do you, like Isabel, want to travel too? Where would you go?
8.Why does Isabel end up on the fire escape? Would you rather face your dad or the sidewalk?
9.Why must Isabel choose between her own happiness and her mom’s? What does she decide to do about the contest?
10.What is Beatrice’s Brownies? Why will her mom take this so hard? How do they handle it?
11.What type of advice does Grandma dispense? What do you think she would think of Isabel’s decision about the contest?
12.How are things between Isabel and Sophie after spending most of the summer apart? Why can it sometimes be difficult for Isabel to be friends with Sophie? Do all friendships face these struggles?
13.Do you think Sophie was being a good friend to Isabel or not? What about the other way around? Why? Can a best friend still irritate you? How would you handle it?
14.Do you think Isabel needs distance from her small town in Oregon or her tumultuous relationship with her mom? Predict how they will get along in five years.
15.What do Lana and Isabel do together? How does this help mend things with Sophie?
16.What does Isabel figure out about the cupcake shop? How can this lesson about appreciating the treasure apply to your own story?
17.What surprises does Isabel create for her mom? Is it worth the effort?
18.How was Isabel rewarded by all her hard work creating the perfect recipe? What surprise does she find out about the contest?
19.How does Isabel change over the book? How does a reader get to know a character? Of all the characters in the book which ones did you like the best?
20.What chapter in the book was your favorite? Which relationship reminded you of one of your own?


Projects:


Reading:
Because good readers always make predictions as they read, stop at the end of each chapter of It’s Raining Cupcakes and use a sticky note to create a prediction about what you think will happen next in the story. Also, add a note as to what clues made you believe this.


Writing:
Write a letter from one character to another at an important part of the story. Share with a friend who has also read the book and have them answer as that character.

-or-

Write a scene between two characters that either did not make it into the story (but could have) or one that could happen after the story closes. Be inspired by Lisa Schroeder’s style!


Art:
Create a mural (on large butcher paper or even a cheap white flat sheet) that you would put in your very own shop. Or, create a finger-painting masterpiece just for fun.

Music:
Can you write a jingle or tune for an advertisement for the opening of Caroline’s shop, It’s Raining Cupcakes?

-or-

Find  a song that you think would work for the soundtrack of the movie. Which scene would you pick to play it behind? Why? Create a playlist that should be running at the cupcake shop.

Math:
Find your favorite recipe for a dessert and add up the price of all the ingredients to create a batch. Then, figure out how much you would have to sell each item for to make a profit. Make and share the desserts if you can!

-or-

Plan a trip to a fantastic location like New York City. Research at least three places or things you’d like to do when you got there. How much would it cost to fly? Drive? Create a pamphlet describing all the fantastic possibilities for your trip!

Business:
Design your own business. What would you sell? What would you name your shop or service? How much would you charge? What would be your color theme? Would you deliver? How much money would it cost to get it started? Where would it be located? Design a storefront with a shoebox!

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs

by Ron Koertge

About the book:

In this much-anticipated sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has it pretty good. He’s got a cute girlfriend named Mira, his baseball team is headed to the playoffs, and he seems to have a real knack for writing poetry. So why isn’t he happy? Maybe it’s because his cute girlfriend can’t tell a sonnet from a sestina, and doesn’t show up to any of his games. So when Kevin meets fellow poet Amy at an open mike reading, it’s love at first refrain. But Amy has a boyfriend. And Kevin has Mira. What’s a budding poet to do?

Ron Koertge is the author of many acclaimed novels for young adults, including Stoner & Spaz (winner of the PEN Literary Award), The Brimstone Journals, Strays, (also winner of the PEN Literary Award) and Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. A faculty member for more than thirty-five years at Pasadena City College, where he taught everything from Shakespeare to remedial writing, Ron Koertge also writes poetry for adults and currently teaches at Hamline University, in the MFA in Writing for Children Program. He lives in South Pasadena, California.

Discussion guide:

1. After reading the first five poems list everything you know and everything you suspect you know about the main character, Kevin Boland. Do you think the poetry format makes it easier or more difficult for the reader to get to know Kevin? Why?
2. How does Kevin compare poetry to a bully in “Poetry 101?” Can you find any perfect mistakes in the poems in this book too? How has Kevin’s poetry changed from the first book?
3. What things, people and activities are most important to Kevin? Why is his glove really important to him? Is there anything that is that important to you? Why?
4. Compare Longfellow’s original poem to Kevin’s parody of it set in school. Does this sound like your school or not? Why?
5. How do Kevin and his dad deal with their grief? How does he personify grief in the poem, “I Know What Dad’s Going Through” 
6. Who is Mr. B? Would you like to be in his class or not? Why? What does he teach Kevin about poetry?
7. Write your own nightmare poem inspired by “Nightmares About Different Kinds of Gals” How does this reveal what Kevin thinks about his dad dating again? What would be the hardest part of this for you?
8. Kevin admits, “I take refuge in poetry.” What or who gives you refuge? Do you think this changes over time?
9. Describe Kevin’s relationship with Mira. Is it enviable? What makes a good teen romance? What requirements are necessary? Which ones are optional?
10.  Explain how Kevin becomes friends with Amy. What does this relationship offer that his one with Mira does not? How do things progress between them?
11. What does Kevin love about baseball? Do you think poetry or baseball gives him more confidence? Why?
12. How does Amy’s haiku reveal a lot about her in only seventeen syllables? Can you write one that does so?
13. How do Amy and Kevin’s poems go public? Would you put yourself out there at a reading or website? Why or why not?
14. How does Kevin plan to use “hard work, cold water and no girls” to advance his career? Is this plausible? How much time would you have if you could give up thoughts of romance?
15. Does Amy love dating Trevor? Why? Would you want to be involved with someone that everyone else admires? What could be difficult about it? What would be nice?
16. What poetry forms are discussed in the novel? Have you tried any of these forms before? Which one do you think is most difficult? Interesting?  Which of all the poems that Kevin and Amy write is your favorite? Why?
17.  Does creating and sharing poems seem more important even intimate than the relationship that Kevin shares with Mira? How? What can poetry reveal that other things cannot?
18. Who is Morton Gluck? What is the best way to deal with a bully like him? Are there bullies in every school? How can schools help deal with them?
19.  Do you think Kevin should’ve revealed to Mira that he was going to the monster movies with Amy? Would it be worse to find out or just be told?
20. In the end do you think Kevin is better off? Why does Amy, at first, want to remain friends? Is it a valid concern? Predict what you think will happen between them.

Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior

Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior

by Chris Bradford

About the book:

For the past two years, twlve-year-old Jack Fletcher has been a rigging monkey on a British vessel. Jack’s father, the ship’s navigator, has been teaching him all that he knows, through his rutter, an invaluable book of maps and notes on the world’s unchartered oceans.

When a storm forces the ship into an unfriendly bay, it is attacked by ninja pirates who have been sent to steal the rutter. Helpless against the powerful ninja the entire crew, including Jack’s father, is slaughtered during the ensuing fight.

Washed up on the shores of a mysterious land known to the British as the Japans, Jack is wounded and left for dead. He is soon rescued by Masamoto-san, one of Japan’s greatest samurai. At first Jack is terrified; he cannot communicate, nor does he know anything of Japanese customs. He becomes friends with Masamoto’s niece, the graceful and powerful Akiko, who teaches him the language and how to fit in. Soon, Jack is deemed ready to join Masamoto’s household and is sent to samurai school where he will learn the Way of the Warrior.

Life at samurai school is fraught with difficulty, and Jack is bullied for being a “barbarian.” He begins the grueling physical and psychological traning required of all the students. While guarding the only thing he has from his father, the rutter, and hoping it will help him get home one day, Jack needs all the courage he can muster to prove to his fellow students that he has what it takes to be a samurai.

Pre-reading:

List everything you know or have heard about samurai.

Discussion guide:

1. What dangers does Jack Fletcher face as he crosses the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as a rigging monkey?  What qualities do you think are necessary for a good sailor and rigging monkey in particular?
2. What happens to the Alexandria in route to Nagasaki? How does it change the fate of Jack and his father forever? What happened to Jack’s father and the other crew members?
3. What is Jack’s only possession? Why is it so important? Do you think he should reveal its importance to Masamoto or not? Defend your answer. What about after the attack?
4. What do you think would be the most interesting and most difficult aspects of being dropped inside a different culture?
5. Make a list of all the people Jack is meeting in the “Japans.” What do each of them teach him?
6. Who is the man with the scarred face? Why does he take such an interest in Jack? How is he accepted into the family?
7. As a reader how do you come to understand the importance of the Prologue? Why do you think the author chose to start the novel this way? How is it related to jack’s story?
8. Who is Father Lucius? Would you trust him? What does he want from Jack? Why does he consider Jack a heathen?
9. “The key to the Japanese is their language…It reflect their whole way of thinking. Understand Japanese, and you understand them.” (p. 99) What does this mean? How does Jack learn to think like a native person? What are the similarities and differences between Jack’s culture and the Japanese culture?
10.  How do the young men jostle for dominance and control of each other in the novel? Do similar spars still happen between modern young men? Why?
11.  How does Jack earn Yamato’s respect? Why doesn’t it last at the Butokuden? Have you ever denied a friend due to peer pressure?
12.  Why does Jack decide to share the truth of the rutter with Akiko? How is she more than what she originally appeared to be? Are you surprised that women were samurai?
13. What does it mean to “lose face” in this culture? Is it similar in our culture today? How is it restored for them? Who loses face in the story? What are the effects?
14. “In order to be walked on you must be lying down.” (p. 188) How is this quote more than its literal interpretation? Are you more likely to walk on or to be walked upon? Why?
15.  How does Jack prove his stamina and willpower with the bokken? Have you ever been able to do more than you thought physically or psychologically possible?
16. Explain the different aspects of training at the Butokuden. Which would be most interesting for you? What do you think would be the most difficult? What fans Akiko’s passion for the kuujutsu?
17.  Why does Jack face even greater trials at the school than the other students? How does this force him to grow? Who, in particular, has difficulty with his presence? Why?
18. Describe what happened during the Hanami festival? Why does Masamoto choose Akiko, Jack and Saburo to fight in the Taryu-Jiai? What happens to Yamato?

How do they prepare for the match? What special skill does Jack learn from Sensei Yamada?

19.  Describe the results of each part of the tournament and the tie-breaking conclusion. How are things ultimately resolved?
20.  Predict what you think will happen next for Jack and his friends.

Projects:

Reading:

As you read create a cause and effect chart like the one below for each major event in the story:

       CAUSE:                                             ACTION:                                      EFFECT:

           

Good readers make predictions as they read. They are also able to summarize the most important events as they read. Fill out the following chart as you read the novel and use it as a springboard for discussion. Remember: predictions do not have to be correct (so don’t fill it in after-the-fact) It would be boring to always know the end!

Chapter:	One sentence summary:	A prediction in the form of a question:
Prologue	Tenno, the oldest son of Masamoto is murdered by a Ninja as a message to his father.	I wonder if Tenno will somehow survive this attack and take revenge on the ninja.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

Art:

Create a piece of art inspired by something in the Japanese culture that is new for Jack (food, music, gardens, clothing, festivals, etc.)

Social Studies:

Research and create a poster, Powerpoint or web page on one of the following topics from the novel:

Samurai

Sensei

Martial Arts

Zen meditation

Toba, Japan

Nagasaki

History of ocean navigation

Trade route of the 1600’s

Japanese language

Festival of the Hanami

Japanese gardens

Japanese architecture

Food and diet of Japanese people       

                                                                     

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

by Rick Riordan

About the book:

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

About the author:

Rick Riordan is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series for children and the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults. For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

His adult fiction has won the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. His short fiction has appeared in Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.

His Percy Jackson series features a twelve-year-old dyslexic boy who discovers he is the modern-day son of a Greek god. The Lightning Thief was a New York Times Notable Book for 2005. Film rights have been purchased by Twentieth Century Fox and a feature film is in development. The Sea of Monsters was a Child Magazine Best Book for Children for 2006 and a Publishers Weekly and BookSense national bestseller. The third title, The Titan’s Curse, made the series a #1 New York Times bestseller, and the fourth title, The Battle of the Labyrinth, had a first printing of one million copies. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller. Film rights for The 39 Clues have been purchased by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks.

Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and two sons.

Author interview:

1. You left the door open a crack for a new series featuring half-bloods. Can your fans look forward to a new series?
2. How has writing the Percy Jackson books changed you as a writer?
3. What do you hope kids take away from reading this series?

Discussion Guide:

1. Describe what happens aboard the Princess Andromeda. What choice did Beckendorf make? Why? What’s the most difficult choice you’ve ever made?
2. “All I knew was that I was supposed to make a decision that would decide the fate of the world—but no pressure.” How would you feel about having this prophecy hang over your head? Would you try to avoid decisions or go boldly in to them?
3. Would you want to visit Poseidon’s palace? What would be the best part of being immortal? What would be the worst? What are the challenges and rewards of being a half-blood?
4. Discuss the major conflicts Percy faces in the novel. Which ones seem insurmountable? How does he handle the pressure? Where do you think he should focus his skills and resources?
5. Why are things so intense at Camp Half-Blood? What qualities in the campers are making cooperation even more difficult? Would you rather have gone to the Caribbean with Rachel?
6. Why do you think Percy needed to meet Hestia and get his mom’s blessing? Percy is putting his trust in Nico, son of Hades. Do you think this is a wise idea? How do you know whom to trust?
7. Why is Nico willing to trick Percy just for information? Why is it necessary to show how all the gods are divided about the conflict? How does this set Percy up to be the hero? Would you want to be the hero or not? Why?
8. Why does Percy bathe in the River Styx? How does he keep his mortality in tact? What does this tell us about Annabeth? What is your Achilles heel? Who would you trust to know what it is?
9. Hestia tells Percy that he must understand the family of his enemy to defeat them. Do you agree with this? Why would this be important?
10.  As Percy prepares for battle with Kronos he takes stock of his assets and weaknesses. What powers, weapons and creatures (Mrs. O’Leary, perhaps) would you most like to have on your side for a mythical-sized battle for Mt. Olympus?
11.  Describe the battle for Williamsburg Bridge. Which part was most exciting? How does Annabeth once again prove her loyalty to Percy?  Do you have someone in your life that would take the knife for you?
12. Why had Hades cursed the Oracle of Delphi? Do you blame him? Why does he not blame Zeus himself? Do you think Percy should tell Nico what happened to his mother or not?
13. Why do you think Prometheus offers Pandora’s pithos to our hero? Do you think Percy would ever open it? Would you be able to leave it closed? What would happen if he did open it?
14.  Does Luke deserve pity or rage? When do people become responsible for overcoming whatever happened to them as children? When does a tragic childhood become an excuse? How could being soft on Luke prove fatal for Annabeth and Percy?
15. What was May Castellan’s fate? If you were given the opportunity to see the future would you do it?  Would you accept a quest from the oracle?
16.  Percy and his cohorts battle a series of monsters and gods. Which scene is your favorite? What does Riordan do to create such exciting action sequences? How can you apply this to your own writing?
17.  Dionysis explains to Percy that if Olympus fails…“Art, law, wine tastings, music, video games, silk shirts, black velvet paintings—all the things that make life worth living will disappear.” What would be on your list? Why do the gods need humans and heroes?
18.  Why did Silena Beauregard lead the Ares cabin into battle with the drakon? What was the result? How did she set things right by her willingness to join the fray? How does Clarisse take the discovery?
19.  Describe Percy’s plan for the final battle between Kronos and the half-bloods. How does Poseidon help? What other gods come to help in the battle? In the end, what is the choice that the prophecy spoke of? Who is the hero?
20.  How do the Olympians reward Percy, Annabeth, Grover and the other half-blood heroes for their service? What is the fate of Rachel? Who do you think gets the best reward? Why doesn’t Percy accept his? Would you?

Projects:

Language Arts:

Reading:

As you read create a cause and effect graphic organizer based on the choices that characters make along the path to the final battle. Use this as a springboard to your discussions.

Writing:

Riordan set up a new quest with Rachel’s first prophecy. Write the first battle the seven half-bloods face.

Art:

Draw, paint or sculpt one of the monsters that Percy and his comrades face during the battle for Mt. Olympus based on the description from the book and your excellent imagination.

Peter and the Sword of Mercy

Peter and the Sword of Mercy

by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

About the book:  The year is 1902—it’s been twenty-three years since Peter and the Lost Boys returned from Rundoon. Since then, nobody on the island has grown a day older, and the Lost Boys continue their friendship with the Mollusk tribe and their rivalry with Captain Hook. Meanwhile, in London, Molly has married George Darling and is raising three children: Wendy, Michael, and John. One night a visitor appears at her door; it’s James, one of Peter’s original Lost Boys. He is now working for Scotland yard and suspects that the heir to England’s throne, prince Albert Edward, is under the influence of shadow creatures. These shadow creatures are determined to find a secret cache of starstuff, which fell to London many centuries ago. The starstuff is hidden in an underground vault, which has only one key: the Sword of Mercy, a legendary weapon kept with the Crown Jewels. Molly is determined to help keep the starstuff safe, but when she suddenly goes missing, it is up to her eleven-year-old daughter, Wendy, to keep it out of the Others’ clutches. Wendy has heard her mother’s stories of a flying boy named Peter Pan, and he may be her only hope to save the world from a shadowy doom…

About the authors:

Dave Barry is a Pulitzer-Prize winning author of more than two dozen books, including Dave Barry’s History of the Millennium (So Far); The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog; Dave Barry’s Money Secrets: and Big Trouble. Along with Ridley Pearson he is the coauthor of Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, Escape from the Carnivale, Cave of the Dark Wind, Blood Tide, and Science Fair.

Ridley Pearson, in addition to coauthoring the Peter and the Starcatchers series with Dave Barry, is the award-winning author of Kingdom Keepers—Disney After Dark, Kingdom Keepers II—Disney at Dawn, and Steel Trapp. He has also written more than twenty best-selling crime novels, including Killer Summer, Killer View and Killer Weekend. He was the first American to be awarded the Raymond Chandler/Fulbright Fellowship in Detective Fiction at Oxford University.

Greg Call has illustrated the entire Peter and the Starcatchers series. He has worked for clients in music, entertainment, and publishing. His work has garnered many honors, including the ADDY Award.

Pre-reading:

What happened in the last Starcatchers story that you read? Who were the bad guys? In the end, who won and how?

Discussion guide:

1. Explain what happened in the opening scene of the novel. Why do you think the authors decided to start the story this way?
2. What is happening in London to passengers who ride the District Line Underground? Would you be willing to risk it?
3. What does the Skeleton desire? How does he get the information he needs? Can anyone resist him?  What two things must come together for him to regain immense power for the Others?
4. Who is von Schatten? How has James Smith made discoveries about his influence over the king? Why won’t Scotland Yard believe him? What happens to James? Whose help does he seek? Why is this more difficult than it once would’ve been?
5. What does Peter first do as he appears in the story? Do you think he is being hoodwinked by the sailors? What clues are given?
6. What happens to Molly as she investigates the disappearance of James? Before she leaves how does she empower her own daughter, Wendy, to help? Would you believe your mom if she told you such a fantastical story?
7. What is happening on the island with O’Neal and the other “shipwrecked” sailors? How and when does the reader learn their true intentions for their visit? Why does Fighting Prawn suspect them from the beginning? How doe she plan to rid the island of them? Is it wise for him to get involved with his oldest enemy or not?
8. What is the cache? How is it protected? Who is working to uncover it and what do they hope to gain by doing so? What would you do if you knew about a terrible plot such as this?
9. Who ends up as prisoners under the Others? What are they using them for? How does Molly finally figure out what to do? What can you do if someone is holding you against your will?
10.  Describe the adventure that Wendy takes to find Peter and the island. What was the most exciting part of her adventure? Would you be courageous enough to try an untested contraption like she did? Why or why not?
11.  How does Captain Hook plan to rid himself of the pesky Peter once and for all? How is his plan foiled? When does he learn he’s been tricked?
12. How is Peter convinced to come back to England with Wendy? What adventures do they have along the way? What was the most exciting part for you as the reader? How does Tink help?
13. Describe Captain Hook’s first voyage in twenty years. How does it go? What ends up to the Jolly Roger?
14. Which of the enemies are your favorite in the story? Why? What qualities make the perfect nemesis?
15. How does the Starstuff give Lord Aster one last stand to save his family? What would you do with the Starstuff?
16.  What is heavenstone? Why is it so important? How must they use it? Does it work in the way they need it to? How do these same tools end up being used against the Others?
17. Wendy says, “I never asked to be a Starcatcher. I’d rather be a  regular English schoolgirl, sitting in my regular English home having a regular English supper with my regular English family.” (p. 360) Would you rather be regular or a Starcatcher? Why?
18. How do Shining Pearl and Little Scallop save the children on the island? What happens to them? How does Mr. Grinn play an important role in this part of the adventure? In the end who is outsmarted?
19.  Explain what happens in the tunnel near Westminster Abbey at climax of the novel. How does the battle erupt between the two? In the end what happens to the cache and to the Starcatchers?
20. Which part of the novel was your favorite? How does it compare to the other books in the series? What would you tell your best friend about these books?

Projects:

Language Arts:

Peter may never age, but of course you will over time. Write a letter to yourself twenty years into the future. What do you want to remember but how it feels to be this age? What do you hope never changes about you? What do you hope to become, believe, see, do? Give a copy of the letter to your parents (sealed, if you like) and ask them to give it back in twenty years.

Art:

Sketch, paint, or create a collage based on your favorite scene in the novel. Explain why you chose this scene in a brief artist’s statement on the back and explain your use of shape, color and texture.

Music:

Create a playlist for the movie adaptation of the book. What songs should be played during what scenes? Why? Choose at least five scenes and five songs and explain your choice in a journal.