Tag: Book activities

Love, Stargirl

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Love, Stargirl (2007) by Jerry Spinelli

This sequel to Jerry Spinelli’s award-winning, Stargirl, follows the free-thinking, homeschooled teen on her adventures in a new town.  The book is written in a diary/letter format by date, and chronicles a year of Stargirl’s life.  She befriends unlikely people, much like Pollyanna or Amelie, and changes their lives for the better, just by being herself.  Stargirl’s spirit and love of life are bound to rub off on the reader, as well.

 

Here are some activities/thoughts to extend learning based on this book (Spoilers included!):

–Dootsie struggles to understand the concept of April Fool’s jokes.  Research the background of this “holiday” and come up with some fun and harmless jokes you might play next April 1st.

–This book is written as a long letter to Leo, but it manages to tell the story of Stargirl in the process.  Write an extended letter to a friend that helps tell part of your story.

–Betty Lou has a night-blooming cereus in her yard.  Research this incredible plant and see if you can find a cutting of one to start your own cereus.

–Research the Northern Mockingbird and its eating habits.

–Stargirl’s town hosts an annual “Blobfest.”  Research this 1950s movie and, if you’re feeling ‘brave,’ rent it too.  Based on this information, do some Internet research to see if you can figure out the town this book is based on.

–Stargirl practices meditation.  Find someone who practices meditating and ask him/her about it.  People meditate in very different ways.  Read about some of them, and then give it a try for yourself.

–Stargirl’s dad is a milkman.  Although this seems like an old-fashioned concept, there are still milk deliveries to this day.  Research the history of milk deliveries, the modes of transportation used, milk chutes, and what types of products were/are delivered.  Why would milk delivery make more sense than buying it from the store?

–Margie’s Donut shop is featured throughout the book.  Have you ever tried making your own donuts?  Look up a recipe, and give it a try!

–Alvina and Dootsie become like little sisters to Stargirl.  The Big Brother/Big Sister organization actually has a program that matches teenagers or adults with “little” brothers or sisters.  Contact your local chapter to find out if it is something you’d be interested in.

–When Stargirl sees Perry in the library, he is reading “Ondine.”  Read this play and think about why Spinelli may have chosen this to include in the book.

–Research the equinoxes and solstices.  Do they always occur on the same dates?  Think about Stargirl’s relationship with the passage of time and why it seems appropriate that her solstice calendar is important to her but clocks are not.

–Create your own solstice calendar, or, at least, hold a celebration for one.

–What do you think Enchanted Hill looked like?  Draw a picture that shows the calendar or the celebration.

–Betty Lou is afraid to go out of her house.  What is the name for this fear?  Research the causes of this phobia and how it might be overcome.

The Secret Garden

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The Secret Garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I am absolutely in love with this classic children’s story!  I know many movie renditions have been made, and I’m sure they are full of lovely garden footage, but I just stick to the book and my imagination.

I’m realizing I have a theme in the books I love, whereby a young (usually orphaned) girl moves to a new place and helps others find their happiness.  The big difference in this one, of course, is that Mary Lennox does not begin the story as a happy-go-lucky girl; she, too, goes through a transformation.  I love watching how four of the story’s characters experience a reawakening, just as the garden is doing the same.  It reaffirms life and all that is good.

When I read this book, I feel like I can actually breathe in the fresh garden air and feel the wind of the Moor on my face.  This book helps me take deep, renewing breaths.  It makes me want to garden and play outside more.  I read this book at least once a year, and I find a deep, new appreciation for life every time I do.

 

Some suggested activities/further learning:  (Spoilers included!)

–Draw pictures or create another form of art to show what you think the secret garden looked like before Mary’s discovery and at the end of the story.

–Use clay or other materials to create what you think the key to the “secret garden” might look like.

–Many flowers and plants are mentioned in this book.  Research one of them and see if it will grow in your climate.  Try growing a mini-garden.

–Martha brings Mary a skipping rope.  Use a jumprope you have or make one for yourself and practice skipping rope.  Do you know any songs to skip to?

–Mary is fascinated by Martha and Dickon’s “Yorkshire talk.”  Research this accent and see if you can find any movies where actors speak “Yorkshire.”  Try it for yourself.

–The book describes some of the rooms and hallways of Misselthwaite Manor; draw a floor plan based on what you read.

–Many of the characters in The Secret Garden change their outlooks on life.  The book describes how these “inside” transformations effect the characters’ outward appearances, as well.  Draw a before and after picture of either Mary, Colin, Mr. Craven, or Ben Weatherstaff.

–One of Mary’s new friends is a robin bird.  Research the European robin.  What does it eat?  Where does it live?  How is it different from the American robin?

 

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There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Pollyanna

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Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor H. Porter

Talk about “Keeping in the sunlight!”  I grew up watching the Haley Mills film version of “Pollyanna,” but it wasn’t until well into adulthood that I actually read the book.  Since then, I’ve been reading it at least once a year; it is a true gem!  This year is the 150th birthday of author, Eleanor H. Porter.

I know the term “Pollyanna” is sometimes used with a pejorative context meaning someone who refuses to see the realities of a situation, but I find Pollyanna’s sunny outlook absolutely endearing and inspiring.  This story reminds me how changing my outlook on a situation can immediately shift my whole world.

During my most recent reread of this, my 5-year old caught sight of it and we ended up reading the whole book together.  This book definitely ranks in my top five.  Not to be missed.

(The only thing that may require some maturity in our current day, is the author’s heavy use of a certain word that means “to blurt out.”)

 

You might also enjoy:
Pollyanna Grows Up

 

Suggestions for Activities/Further Research (SPOILERS included):

–Pollyanna plays the “Glad Game” and teaches it to the people of Beldingsville.  Try making a list of some things that seemed like negative situations at first, and see if you can find a way to be glad about them.

–Pollyanna and Mr. Pendleton experiment with prisms.  Research Isaac Newton’s discovery about colors and prisms.  See if you can find some fun projects that involve prisms.

–There is some talk in the book over the controversy of automobiles.  Research the automobile’s history and the public’s reaction.

–Pollyanna often delivers homemade goods to Mrs. Snow.  Is there anyone in your neighborhood who could benefit from a homemade meal or treat?  Perhaps someone is sick or has recently given birth.  Talk to your parent and see if you can arrange making and delivering a special meal.

–The doctors in this book make house calls.  Although this is rare in the U.S. these days, there are still places where doctors do this.  Why would a house call make sense?  When did these stop becoming a normal practice?

–Pollyanna’s name is made from a combination of her two aunts’ names.  What would your name be if you combined the names of two of your relatives?  (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or parents)

–There used to be a board game called the “Glad Game,” inspired by this book.  Although it is discontinued now, consider creating your own “Glad” board game to play.

–There also used to be “Glad Clubs” based on this book.  What do you think a Glad Club would be like?  Try creating your own, even if it’s only for one meeting.  (There was – or is?-  still one club in existence until recently; research to see if you can find out where it is.)

–Every June, Littleton, New Hampshire celebrates “Glad Day.”  If you’re in the area, go see the Pollyanna statue and celebrate!

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Ella Enchanted

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Ella Enchanted (1997)
by Gail Carson Levine

A clever twist on the classic fairy tale of “Cinderella,” Ella Enchanted further explains this character’s situation with her step-family.  Ella was cursed at birth with the “gift” of always being obedient.  Adventures, humor, magic, and romance all find their way into this enchanting story.  A great commentary on how traits we often think of as “good,” like obedience, can be harmful and even dangerous when taken to the extreme.  (It’s also interesting to reflect on the obedience we often expect from children and how that can backfire.  And how many people, women in particular, have a tough time saying “no” to things.)  The back story of Ella’s life presents gnomes, ogres, and giants, but all eventually ends with a grand ball, a lost glass slipper, and a happily ever after.

I’ve re-read this book too many times to count.  I never saw the film, because I’m very loyal to book versions, especially when I enjoy them as much as this one.

Ella Enchanted (1997)

 

Thoughts/Activities/Extended Learning (SPOILERS included):

—The gnomes give Ella a special gift.  Draw a picture or create a model of what you think it may look like.

–Ella’s necklace is also a precious gift.  Draw a picture or use materials to recreate what you think this looks like.

–Many alternate versions of “Cinderella” are available in picture books, novels, and in movies.  Explore one or some of these alternate versions and compare it with Ella Enchanted.

–Many of us know the Disney version of “Cinderella,” but have you read the Grimm Brothers’ version*?  You may be surprised.
*(As a parent, you may want to preview this or any original fairy tale first.  And then read Bruno Bettelheim’s The Uses of Enchantment for a persuasive argument on the importance of fairy tales in their original forms.)

–Ella is skilled at many languages throughout the book.  Create a chart comparing some of the words from each language.  What do you notice?

–Create your own fairy creature language.  Come up with some basic words and create a small picture dictionary.  What rules will this language follow?  How are consonants, vowels, capitals, and punctuation used to reflect the nature of the creatures whose language it is?  For instance, large, mean creatures may use many capitals or harsh consonants.

–Mandy is a skilled cook, creating dishes that seem to please everyone.  Choose one of the dishes she makes and find a recipe to make your own version.

–At finishing school, Ella learns needle point.  See if you can find someone to teach you the basics of this art and give it a try.

–Char and Ella become pen pals when he is called away for the year.  See if you can locate a friend or relative who lives far away who might be interested in exchanging letters.

—Ella Enchanted is a twist on the “Cinderella” story.  Use your imagination to re-write another classic fairy tale that helps explain the situation in which the main character finds him/herself.

–Obedience is sometimes seen as a good trait, but in Ella’s case it was taken too far and became more of a curse.  Can you think of other traits that might be considered “good,” but that might be harmful if used too much?

–In Ella’s magic book of fairy tales there are different explanations for the tales of “The Shoemaker and the Elves” and “Aladdin.”  Reacquaint yourself with the original versions of one of these stories, then write the stories you think Ella might have read in her book.

–Char and Ella dance many times at the ball, including a dance called the gavotte.  See if you can find an explanation or video of this dance and practice with a friend.

–Get together with other friends who have read this book and recreate one of the scenes to present to an audience.  Act it out, use puppets, or even create a claymation video.

–Ella has many adventures throughout the book.  Create a board game that follows her journey.  Designate certain spaces so that a player loses a turn or gets to skip ahead.  For instance, a player may lose a turn if stuck with the ogres for a night, but may advance extra spaces when Ella gets a ride with Sir Stephan.

–Char talks about the “sings” in Ayortha.  The words to one of the songs are written in chapter 27.  Create a melody to go with this song and play it or sing it for an audience.  Or write your own lyrics for another song he may have heard.

 

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