Reader Response 2: Maniac Magee

1.  Describe the most famous kid in your school or your neighborhood. You don’t have to know him or her, just the stories. What is this kid supposed to have done? Why is he or she so well known? Do you think all the stories are true?

2. What does the word home mean to you? How is it different from house? Where is the place that you are most “at home?” Describe it.
   
   
3. Write about racism—either what you’ve noticed or actually experienced. Where do you think racism comes from? How can we stop racism? 

Reader Response 2: Hatchet...

1.  What inner traits does Brian develop to survive in the wilderness? To which of those qualities do you most attribute his survival? Consider patience, self-control, perseverance.... What else?

2.  From the beginnings of literature, stories have pitted man against nature. In what way does Hatchet turn that theme on its head? How does Brian's relationship to nature change during the course of this novel? What lessons does he learn about the natural world?

3.  Brian's English teacher once told him that his mind has the power to control his body. In what way has Brian achieved greater harmony between mind and body?

Reader Response 2: Canned...

1.  In what ways are Charlotte and Fergal alike?

2.  If you were in the same situation as Fergal and Charlotte, what would you do with the information from the can?

3.  For what reason do you think the word H-E-L-P was sent in the can?

Reader Response 2: Wonder...

1. What parts of the story made you particularly sad?
2. What parts of the story were funny or made you laugh?
3. Which characters did you relate to? What kind of middle schooler were you? How are you now?

Reader Response 2: Uncle Remus...

1.  Why was story telling such a popular thing on plantations? Who, besides Uncle Remus, tells stories? 

2.  Some of the stories explain facts of life, such as why animals are how they are. List three of these. Are they acceptable folklore explanations? Why or why not? 

Reader Response 2: Circus Galacticus...

1.  If you joined the Circus Galacticus, which role would you want to play? Which role do you think you would be assigned? Would they be the same or different? Why?

2.  How would the story have been different if Trix trusted Nyl and went with him in the beginning? Do you think she would have learned how to be loyal to the Mandate the way she became loyal to the Tinkers? Why or why not? 

3.  Several people tell Trix that not everyone can be a star, from the Headmistress at her old school to Miss Three. Despite these discouraging words, Trix keeps trying to shine. At the end of the story, Trix becomes the Champion of the Big Top. How does she accomplish this? 

Reader Response 2: Holes...

1. Why do the boys call Mr. Pendanski "Mom"? How does this name fit his personality? In what ways is it not a good name for him?
2. What do the boys' nicknames tell about each of their personalities? Do you think a name changes the way others see a person and the way the person sees him- or herself?
3. Why do you think Stanley lies to his parents in his letters home? Would you do the same?

Reader Response 2: Rules...

1.  What are Catherine’s feelings about Jason when she first meets him?


2.  If you were drawing word cards for Jason, what would you have drawn for “gross?” “Awesome?” “Stinks a big one!!!”

3.  Pick three words to describe Catherine. Choose three for David, Jason, Mom, and Dad. 

Reader Repsonse- other books...

This section is for any students who are reading a book that is not on our book list.

1.   Tell me about the main character of the book you are reading.  What problem are they facing in the story?

2.   How does their environment or the setting of the story affect what is happeing to the main character?

3.  What is the theme of the book you are reading/ the genre?

Reader Response: Maniac Magee

1.  Describe what type of person you think Jeffrey is.  What are his strengths or weaknesses?

2.  How do you think Jeffrey felt when he ran away?

3.  The author says that Jeffrey said, “Hi,” to the strangers he passed as he was running. What do you make up about the kind of person Jeffrey is? 

4.  What assumptions do you think Amanda first has about Jeffrey? 

Reader Response: Hatchet

1.  What type of relationship do you think Brian has with his mother?   Why is Brian visiting his father in Canada?

2.  What is Brian's plan for landing the plane?   What conclusions can you draw about Brian from the actions he takes before the crash?

3.  What lesson does Brian recall from Mr. Perpich, his English teacher?  How does that lesson help Brian as he sits beside the lake?

Reading Response: Canned

1.   How do you think Fergal saw himself compared to the other kids in his school or neighborhood?  What were his personality traits?  Why did people describe him as being clever?

2.  Fergal collects cans. Do you collect anything particular? If not, what is something that might interest you to collect?

3.  Would you decide to not open the cans? Why or why not?

Reader Response: Wonder

• 1.  Why did Auggie’s parents disagree about him going to school? How would you feel in that situation?
  
  
  
  
• 2.  What were your impressions of Charlotte, Julian and Jack as they showed Auggie around the school? Did those impressions change over time?
  
  
  
  
• 3.  Why do you think Auggie got mad when certain people, like Julian, asked him about his face, but did not get upset when Summer asked? What is the difference in their attitude which impacts how Auggie feels about them asking that question? 
  

Reader Response: Uncle Remus

1.  Why do you think the author chose to make the characters animals and not people?


2.  Describe the personality of Brer Rabbit.  What are his strengths?  What are his weaknesses?


3.  What is the lesson to be learned in the first chapter and the story of Brer Rabbit?

Reading Response: Circus Galacticus

1.  What type of person is Trix?  Describe her personality, strengths and weaknesses.

2.  What does the Circus represent to Trix in the book?

3.  Describe the setting of Bleeker Academy, how does that differ in comparison to the Circus Galacticus?

Reader Response: Holes

1.  What do you learn in the first chapter about the setting of the story? Based on its name, what would you imagine a place called Camp Green Lake to be like? What is it really like?

2.  Do you think it’s true that digging holes can turn a bad person into a good one? What are some other unpleasant things you’ve heard about that are supposed to “build character”?

 

3.  Stanley’s father, an inventor, says, “I learn from failure.” What do you think this means? Have you ever learned from failure? 

Reader Response: Rules

1.  Describe Catherine’s relationship with David.


2.  How does David stand in the way of what Catherine wants for herself? What has she done to try to resolve that?


3.  Do your siblings ever stand in the way of what you want? How? What have you done to solve that?


4.  How are Catherine’s rules good for David? How do her rules hold him back? How do Catherine’s rules hold her back?