2nd Book Choice

 September 9th, 2011

We need to start thinking about our second book choice. I have created a book talk for our next three choices. All three are in one, so listen to all of them and cast your vote in the comment section for our 2nd book.

Let's get our choice made by September 14th, 2011 so we can get started reading it.

Final Reading questions

September  5th, 2011

Here are some final questions for you to consider. Please have your thoughts in by September 9th, 2011. Remember these are to help you get started thinking, feel free to inject your own questions and thoughts.

Adam goes to desperate measures to see Mia for the first time and then stays only a few minutes before racing out. He returns later with some classical music and a headset he puts on Mia. What does this act suggest about his relationship with Mia? Using examples from the story, make a case for Adam’s unconditional love for Mia. Do you think Mia feels the same way for him?

How would your response to the story be if the ending was different?

What meaning can you attribute to the song written by Mia’s father? How does it represent themes in the story? How does it represent each characters life?

Do you consider Mia and Adam a mature couple? Why or why not?

Could the story have a different title? What would it be?

What do you think the future holds for Mia and Adam? Write their story, 5 years from now.

All questions adapted from Gayle Forman's Reader's Guide for If I Stay.

More questions

September 2nd, 2011

Here are more questions to guide you as you read.

 Mia and Adam have different musical interests. What draws them together? Is it a big deal that their musical tastes differ?

For Halloween Mia goes all out and surprises Adam by dressing as a rocker chick. What is Adam’s reaction? Explain why Mia felt the need to do that.

What are the  meanings of “sacrifice” and of “choice.” How are they different? How are they similar?

Mia is pulled between wanting to die and wanting to live. What would you do in that situation? What choice/sacrifice would you make? 

Kim says to Mia, “You still have a family.” What did this mean to you? What is a family?

All questions adapted from Gayle Forman's Reader's Guide for If I Stay.

During Reading Questions

August 31, 2011

Here are some questions for you to consider when reading If I Stay. Answer one or more. These are to help guide the discussion. The more involved you are the better the discussion.

The story opens with school being closed because of inclement weather and Mia’s family deciding to take a trip to visit friends and relatives. Describe the mood of the morning. What role does this scene play when tragedy hits? 

What does Mia have in common with her father? Her mother? How do the things she shares with each of her parents play a role in her decision to stay or go?

Mia’s grandparents each play an influential role in her life. How do each of their relationships with Mia influence her. Describe an influential person in your life.

Mia has two important peer relationships in the story—with her best friend, Kim, and her boyfriend, Adam. Kim and Adam are distant with one another. How does Mia react to their distance?

All questions adapted from Gayle Forman's Reader's Guide for If I Stay.

Pre-Reading questions

August 29th, 2011

It looks as though the majority want to read, If I Stay, by Gayle Forman. Great choice!

Here are some questions to get you started thinking about the themes in this book: You may answer all, one, or none. These are just to get you thinking. Just remember that the more you participate, the more you get out of the discussion.

Describe a time in your life when you felt powerless about your future. What steps did you take to become more in control?

Have you ever given up something in your life? Why did you do it? How did giving it up make you feel?

What does destiny mean to you? Do you think we are in control of our own destiny?

Is it possible to love someone, yet walk away from a relationship? 

Describe a time that you dealt with a personal tragedy. What coping skills helped you get through it? 

Let's get these answered in the next day or two. Plan on having the book finished by September 9th. 

I will post questions periodically throughout the week, feel free to answer when you are ready. We will try to finish discussing by September 16th and have our next book picked by then as well.

HERE WE GO!!!!

These questions were adapted from Gayle Forman's Reader's Guide for If I Stay.

Book Trailer

August 25th, 2011

Here is a book trailer that I made for If I Stay.

Getting Started

August 20th, 2011

Hi everyone! Welcome to the 2011/2012 Rosie Book Club!!

This year we are going to try going online, so this blog will serve as our online book club. The rules are as follows:

I will be moderating your comments.

There will be no rude, inconsiderate, hateful commenting directed at anyone. Those who write such comments will be excluded from the field trip and from this club.

All comments are to be related to the content of the book we are discussing.

I will post questions to help us discuss the book, please comment freely.

As this is a Rosie Book CLub, we are going to read the 2011/2012 Elliot Rosewater nominees. Hopefully we will be able to get all 24 read by February for you all to go on the Field Trip for free!!!

Let's get started!!! I will be taking votes for the first book both online (see sidebar) and in both media centers. You have until Friday, August 26th to cast your vote.

Ms. Hogan