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Story Time
Last updated Thursday, September 22, 2005
Author: Edward Bloor
Date of Publication:
ISBN: B0006BD924
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2005
Synopsis:
A book filled with social satire, black comedy, fantasy/humor, and extreme situations. Eighth-grader Katie and her brilliant Uncle George, a sixth grader, find themselves mysteriously redistricted and assigned to Whittaker Magnet School, which focuses entirely on excellence in standardized testing. The regimented kids are taught by regimented teachers in the basement of a haunted old library building and the school is run by a strange family obsessed with its own achievements, whether they are earned or not. All sorts of things are amiss at Whittaker, where elitism reigns; where dramatic deaths are hidden nearly as carefully as the dark secrets involving the building, the town, and the people who live there; and where appearances are paramount. Back at home, Kate lives with her agoraphobic mom, who has mysterious ties to the library, while George lives next door. Kate wants only to return to Lincoln Middle, where she could play Peter Pan and be with friends, while George tries to make the best of what is a monstrously warped situation. The Whittaker family goes to extremes to impress the visiting First Lady, creating an atmosphere ripe for catastrophe-as well as for redemption.
| Note to readers: |
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This is a chapter book that you
won?t be able to finish. Aim to read through the end
of chapter 3 (although you do not need to reach that
point), and tell the children that the book will be
placed into their library if they would like to check
it out and read the rest. If you can get to the end
of chapter 5, there is a bit of a cliffhanger.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you read any books by this author before? Who
is your favorite author?
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Do you think buildings can be haunted? Why or why
not?
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Have you ever had to go to a new school? What do
you think that would feel like?
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What do you think this book will be about?
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Do you take a lot of tests in school? What if you
had to take more?
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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How is Kate flying around the yard? Can you
picture what the contraption looks like? What?
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Do you have any unusual family relationships like
Kate and Uncle George? What do you think that is
like?
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How are George?s parents different from Kate?s Mom?
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What is a ?magnet? school?
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Why do you think Kate?s mom is not as excited about
the Whittaker Magnet school as George?s parents? Is
she mad or scared? Why?
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Why doesn?t Kate want to go to the magnet school?
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Why is Kate so mad at her mom?
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What is ?clogging??
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What is so unusual about the lines for the
Whittaker school district? Why do you think it?s that
way?
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What do you think happens next?
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What do you think is the mystery about Whittaker
School?
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If you could make your perfect school, what would
it be like? Teachers, classes, building, everything.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make a brochure for the Whittaker Magnet School.
Emphasize its spooky aspects.
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Make a bookmark decorated for your school (or
favorite college, or the ?perfect school?) featuring school
colors, name, mascot, activities, etc.
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*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!
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