Excellent Resource:

A MIGHTY GIRL WEBSITE--take a look--lists books, movies, toys, etc. geared to growing a MIGHTY GIRL!!!  I will likely choose some books from this website in the future!!

http://www.amightygirl.com/

INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR KATHERINE APPLEGATE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqbyWN4f4OM



Make a tagxedo with traits that describe a characer,  new words you learned in the book or your favorite quotes from the book!


http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html

JULY BOOK CHOICE!!!!

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

by

Katherine Applegate

WEBSITE:   http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

The One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this imagined tale lies with a true story.

Ivan, a real gorilla, lived at Zoo Atlanta, but on the way to that happy ending, he spent almost three decades without seeing another of his own kind before being moved to Zoo Atlanta in 1994.

After being captured as in infant in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ivan’s female companion, reported to have been his twin, died en route to the US or shortly thereafter), Ivan was raised in a home until he became unmanageable. At that point he was added to an odd collection of animals housed at a circus-themed mall in Washington state.

Ivan spent twenty-seven years of his life alone in a cage. Over time, as an understanding of primate needs and behavior grew, public discomfort with Ivan's lonely state grew as well, particularly after he was featured in a National Geographic special entitled "The Urban Gorilla." A public outcry followed, including heartfelt letters from children. When the mall where Ivan lived went bankrupt, he was placed on permanent loan to Zoo Atlanta, which houses the largest group of captive western lowland gorillas in the nation.

Ivan became a beloved celebrity at Zoo Atlanta, where he lived contentedly with other gorillas, although he never sired any offspring. He was known for his paintings, which were often "signed" with his thumbprint. Ivan died on August 20, 2012 at the age of 50.

Ivan and Kinyani were real gorillas — and so, by the way, was Jambo, whose story is recounted in the book. But all other characters and situations in the novel are entirely the product of my imagination. When I started to write about the grim facts of Ivan's solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape. At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell.

I wanted to give him someone to protect, and the chance to be the mighty silverback he was always meant to be.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

           What kind of business did Mac run out of the “fourth stall?”

  How do you feel about the methods Mac uses to run his business? 

    Is Mac a nice guy? Why or why not?

   How are Mac and Vince’s personalities different?

    Why do you think that Vince always gives Mac credit for having good ideas even some of the             ideas are his own?
            
    All of Mac’s friends had reputations for being tough. Which of the nine friends (pages 81-                    90) would you fear the most and why?

     W hich of Mac’s friends would you like to meet the most (pages 81-90) and why? 

           Why were Vince and Mac saving money?

    Why was everyone so afraid of Staples? Give examples.

    Were you surprised at the way the book ended?

FUN ACTIVITIES TO GO WITH THE FOURTH STALL!

Using the descriptions of each of Mac’s friends (pages 81-90) create a picture of one of the friends.

  Draw all nine of Mac’s friends to scale using the information from (pages 81-90).

Design a new book cover for the book.

April's BOOK CHOICE!!! READ IT NOW!

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.

Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.

READ IT AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!

December's Book Choice!!

In the tradition of The Snowman, The Polar Express, and the many books of Jan Brett this cozy Nordic tale filled with extraordinary photographs will have readers of all ages believing in the magic of Christmas. This is one to pull out every year and savor.

Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa's elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.

Enjoy! Don't forget to let us know what you thought of the book!

Activities coming soon!!