My One Hundred Adventures Discussion

Here are some questions to get you started on My One Hundred Adventures:

• What genre would you put this book in? Would you describe it as funny or serious? Why?
• What surprised you most about the book?
• How did Jane change by the end of the book?
• Were you satisfied with the book's ending? Why or why not?
• Who was your favorite character besides Jane? Why?

The Convicts Discussion

Okay, gang! It's time for our first discussion! So...here's what we'll do. I'll post four or five discussion questions below. You can respond by answering one or more of the questions, or just by giving your opinion of the books. Remember, to give your opinion, you'll need to comment on this post. (See isntructions on the right side of the page if you need a reminder of how to do this!)

Here are some questions for The Convicts:

What did you think of the way convicts were treated in 19th century England? Do you think locking them away on ships was an effective way of dealing with criminals?

Who was your favorite character in the book?

What did you think of Tom? Was he a likeable character? Were you rooting for him to escape?

What did you think of Tom's friendship with Midge? Would you have stayed loyal to Tom if he treated you the way he treated Midge?

There are a lot of coincidences in this book. (The likeness between Tom and the dead boy, the identity of the captain on the former slave ship.) Was there anything you found too hard to believe? Did any of the coincidences take away from the story?

Let's hear what you thought of The Convicts!

The Convicts

Next week we'll be discussing Iain Lawrence's The Convicts. Hopefully you're finishing it up this week!

If you want to know more about the book, author, or setting, check out the following links:

• Kids Reads: An interview with the author about how he came up with the story and about his historical setting.


• Randomhouse: Find out about the author's life and writing process.


• Dickens' London Page: Click here to read about what life was like in 19th century London (the time when Tom's story takes place).


• London's Children in the 19th Century: What was it like for kids to grow up in the time period that this story takes place? Check out this site to find out.

Getting Started

Welcome to the Smithville Junior High
Summer Book Club!

To get started, make sure you have picked up this summer's four books and an informational bookmark from Mrs. G. in the library. You must also have registered your email address and screen name with Mrs. G.

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Here's a preview of what we'll be reading this summer:

The Convicts by Iain Lawrence

His efforts to avenge his father's unjust imprisonment force fourteen-year-old Tom Tin into the streets of nineteenth-century London, but after he is convicted of murder, Tom is eventually sent to Australia where he has a surprise reunion.

Click here to read a review of the book!

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

Twelve-year-old Jane, who lives at the beach in a run-down old house with her mother, two brothers, and sister, has an eventful summer accompanying her pastor on bible deliveries, meeting former boyfriends of her mother's, and being coerced into babysitting for a family of ill-mannered children.

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

When his father starts a new job at Minerva Hall as gardener, twelve-year-old Jim discovers an ancient curse that needs to be unraveled before disaster happens.

Click here to read a review of the book!

Lizze Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

In 1911, Turner Buckminster hates his new home of Phippsburg, Maine, but things improve when he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from a poor, nearby island community founded by former slaves that the town fathers--and Turner's--want to change into a tourist spot.

Click here to read a review of the book! (Scroll down to the bottom of the page!)