Top Ten Tuesday (5)

Top Ten Great Book Club Picks:

I decided to go with book club picks for an elementary school book club. I work with both a preteen and teen book club, so picking ya books just seemed like a cheaping out for me, especially since the librarian I work with was so good at picking great pre/teen books for age appropriate book clubs.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I know, everyone's read it, blah blah bite me. Number one, not everyone has read it, and I think every child (teen/adult/animal) should be exposed to its brilliance. Number two, even if kids have read it, they should be encouraged to discuss how awesome it is (am I being biased? Because I don't care when it comes to Ms. Rowling's works). What would you do if a half-giant told you that you were a wizard? Which type of magical candy would be your favorite? THE DISCUSSION POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.

2. Matilda by Roald Dahl

One of the most brilliant books EVER. Another one that every kid should read. What would you do if you faced the Trunchbull day after day? Where would you hang out if your family was miserable and didn't understand how smart and special you were? Obviously everyone should pick the library (there are so many books!) but you know, to each their own. Also, the movie should accompany the discussion of this book, to demonstrate that sometimes a book and a movie can be equally good. 

3. The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

The first book I ever read in a book club. What would you like to be able to turn everything you touched into? Cheese? Sugar? Cans of diet cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper (do they still sell it??? Inquiring minds want to know!)? Was the kid just a whiner who didn't know a good thing when he had it?

4. The Wish Giver by Bill Britain

The book that truly explores the concept of "Be careful what you wish for." What would you wish for if you had a card that enabled you to wish for whatever you wanted? Do you think it could go horrifically wrong? How so? Did the three main characters need to be taught this lesson?

5. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Confession: I actually prefer the movie version of this. It's a beautifully written story and a great kid's book, but I couldn't get past the whole "I know you're eleven, but girlfriend, when you're sixteen or seventeen, drink from the fountain and hit me up." I found it weird. I kind of preferred that Winnie was already a teenager in the movie. I don't think the issue I take with the book would present itself to most kids that read it, however. Would YOU drink from the fountain of eternal youth and life? Why would someone choose not to drink from the fountain?

6. Frindle by Andrew Clements

I was under the impression that the word frindle ended up in the dictionary because of this book. Upon a bit of research, it looks like that this didn't happen. This book was read to me years ago, so I guess that I thought the fact that the word ends up in the dictionary in the book meant that it happened in real life. Regardless, whatta great book. Are there any made up words you use that you'd like to see in the dictionary?

7. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Awesome high fantasy book for anyone. Would you want to reside in a castle that moves? Would Howl's mysterious ways frustrate you? Who was your favorite character? (Kind of a boring question, but for this book I'm legitimately curious.)

8. Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen

This book is great for elementary school/middle grade audiences because it's told from two points of view, a girl and a boy. Would you shy away from someone like Juli Baker, or would you recognize how awesome she is? Is it more important to be very popular, or to be friends with fewer people that mean something to you?

9. Holes by Louis Sachar

What would you do if you were stuck digging holes in the desert, day after day, being punished for something you didn't even do? What is the worst part of Stanley's situation? How badass is "Kissin' Kate" Barlow? The discussion possibilities are endless.

10. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

The dry humor of Lemony Snicket's books is so fantastic. I know that sometimes it goes over the heads of some children, but seriously. What well-written children's books. Did you like the fact that the narrator exists outside of the story but is still a character himself? Why is Count Olaf so scary and nefarious? Hopefully reading this one would inspire interest in the rest of the books in the series!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish