Kids' book club - Cricket in Times Square - discussion questions?

*emeleel* · #1 02-05-2005, 06:33 PM

So Monday is the first official meeting of our new homeschool book club. The older kids (we're thinking it's going to be in the 8-11 age range, most likely) will be discussing "The Cricket In Times Square". I did read it. And I've googled around for discussion questions, but I'm coming up blank for good "let's talk about it" type questions. (I've found lots of comprehension and retention TEST questions.) I don't want this to be teachy/preachy, I want the kids to talk about the book beyond the usual kid question of "what was your favorite part?". Can anyone help me out and help me think of good questions to lead the kids along in a quality discussion?

Redlass, you left for vacation too soon! :p

nicholmere · #2 02-06-2005, 05:39 PM

Monday? Tomorrow Monday?

I read the book when I was a kid. I remember liking it, but ... hmmm... discussion questions ... I'll try to think of something that might help ...

Katherine <- Thinking

**hadassahchana**[$] · #3 02-07-2005, 02:24 PM

Ack! I missed this until too late. Melanie, why don't you post your next books so that we can do this, too? I can assign books to some of the Horsemen and then we can trade questions, if you'd like.

Cindy

Redlass · #4 02-17-2005, 12:41 PM

Do you still want questions? Is it too late?

How about things like:

1. How were things different in the city than what the cricket (I can't remember his name at the moment) was used to in the country?
2. Why do you suppose Harry and Tucker were able to be friends when cat and mice are traditionally enemies?
3. What sort of things were important to each of the Bellinis? How did they all come to love the cricket in the end?
4. Why do the Chinese consider crickets to be lucky? What sort of luck did he bring the Bellinis? Did that luck change?
5. What sort of gifts did the boy and the cricket give each other?

*emeleel* · #5 02-17-2005, 01:43 PM

Yes, too late, but it went well. Next up, "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler"!

We only had two kids (including Sean) who had read the book and talked about it, but we did have other kids there, and hopefully they'll all be ready for next month.

Which reminds me, I need to post the information to the email lists I'm on!

Redlass · #6 02-17-2005, 03:02 PM

That's one of my favorites! Do you want question ideas for that?

Both of those take place in New York, do you think you might do some sort of comparison? Or maybe have a map?

If I remember correctly, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art has some stuff about the book on their site.