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Halloweena



Last updated Thursday, September 22, 2005

Author: Miriam Glassman
Illustrator: Victoria Roberts
Date of Publication: 2002
ISBN: 068982825X
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2005

Synopsis: Parental responsibilities weigh on Hepzibah the witch, who gives up her "wild nights out with the ghouls" to tend Halloweena, the human baby thrust on the witch by her sister. Hepzibah builds Halloweena a three-pronged training broom and teaches her to "burn cupcakes to a crackly crisp," but refuses to let her befriend unmagical children. Inevitably, the girl gets her way-on her namesake holiday.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think the book is about?
•  What would you do if you moved to a new town and had no friends? How would you make friends?
•  Are all witches mean?
•  Are you going to dress up for Halloween? As what?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How did Hepzibah feel when she found out about the baby? Did those feelings change eventually? How?
•  What?s an imp?
•  In what fairy tale did a witch lock someone away in a tower? Prick someone?s finger? Have a ginger bread house?
•  How did Hepzibah fix Halloweena?s broom so that she could learn to fly it? Have you learned to ride a bike?
•  Do you think Halloweena was happy growing up with Hepzibah? Why or why not?
•  What do you think of the way that Halloweena met her friends? What else could she have done?
•  Halloweena made friends by using what was different about her--what is different about you and how does that help you make friends?

Craft ideas:
•  What is the ?spell? to make friends? Write out the ?recipe? and decorate.
•  Make a witch?s hat, and decorate the band with pieces of candy corn.

Special activities:
•  Play ?hide and shriek?.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!