Mighty M: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Watch the film version of the book then compare and contrast the two. Did the film stay true to the book? Pick a favorite scene from the book and compare it to the movie version. Think about the characters in the book and then think about how the actors portrayed those characters. Did these match your vision of the characters?

Amazing A: The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Please answer each question in a separate post.

Compare your life with Parvana's. Discuss things that are the same and things that are different as far as things like daily activities, school and education, local surroundings, clothing, relationships, politics, etc.

Some characters in the book are in a personal conflict between wanting a new lifestyle or a different place and their sense of duty and commitment to their family or country. Pick one of these characters and discuss this personal conflict and how she deals with it. What does she desire and why does she desire it? Where does her commitment lie and why? What choice or choices does she make?

Mighty M: Anne Frank, Zlata's Diary, The Wave

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank, Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic; The Wave by Todd Strasser;

Remember to answer each in a separate post.

Think about the these three books and some of the themes they represent, such as racism, fear, power, intolerance, authority, resilience, etc. Both Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic lived in difficult times where people were treated differently because of who they are. Pick 2 positive and 2 negative themes from each story and discuss why you think those themes are relevant to the those stories and how they affected you.

The Wave is a high school experiment that relates to the Nazis and the Holocaust. If your class did this experiment, describe how you think it might go. What kind of person do you think you would be during this experiment and how would you react to things?

Looking at all three stories and looking at yourself, write a short story with you being a character in a situation similar to the characters in these stories.

Amazing A: The Upstairs Room

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss

Jewish people did not have an easy time of life under Nazi rule in the 1930s and 1940s. This is just one of many books that highlight that period. Three questions for you on this one...please post each answer in a separate comment.

• In part of the book Annie imagines the trees telling Jewish people what they can or cannot do. Describe some of the things Jewish people were allowed and were not allowed to do.
  
• Jewish people had to wear a star. Annie was proud to wear her star. Why?
• If you had to go into hiding for a long period of time, what would do to escape boredom?
  

Mighty M: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Wonderful classic! Only two questions for this one...both essay type questions. Make sure to put each in a separate comment/post.

• Huckleberry Finn is about the same as you are, but grew up in a very different time. Select a favorite passage or chapter from the book and re-write it as though Huck were living in this day and age. Use terms and slang appropriate or that is similar to how you and your friends talk.
  
• One of the themes of this book is Freedom. Describe how you see that theme portrayed in this book.
  

Mighty M's 1st Choice: Promised the Moon

Promised the Moon: the Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race by Stephanie Nolen.

Wow! Another nonfiction pick! I didn't expect my kids to both pick nonfiction to start with. And here are your questions (answer each question in a separate post):

• One of the people I find very fascinating is Jerry Cobb. Give me a brief biography of this amazing woman.
• As someone who aspires to be an astronaut, what did you find most discouraging and what did you find most encouraging in reading this book?
• Of the women profiled in the book, who did you most relate to and why?
• How has this book affected your decision to become an astronaut?