Ida B . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World



Last updated Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Author: Katherine Hannigan
Date of Publication:
ISBN: 0060730242
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2006

Synopsis: In Wisconsin, fourth-grader Ida B spends happy hours being home-schooled and playing in her family's apple orchard, until her mother begins treatment for breast cancer and her parents must sell part of the orchard and send her to public school.

Note to readers:
•  This is a chapter book. Try to read from the beginning to chapter 5 or beyond.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever had a really perfect day? What happened? What did you do?
•  Have you ever had a really bad day? What happened? What did you do?
•  Do you talk to anything that other people can?t hear answer you back? Maybe your pet, or trees and plants, or stuffed animals and toys, or God and angels? How do they answer you back?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What kind of place does Ida B. live in? How is it different from where you live?
•  What kinds of things does Ida talk to?
•  What kind of person is Ida B.? What do her parents think of her?
•  Would you like to be her friend?

Craft ideas:
•  Write a letter to someone in another place. Write about what your home and life are like. What questions would you want to ask about their home/life?
•  Create a poster to show Ida B. what?s good about school. What are some of the great things you do at school that you could include on your poster?
•  Draw a picture of what Ida B.?s face looked like after she applied the soap mask. What kind of mask could you create for yourself?
•  Draw a family tree. Put yourself at the bottom, and show your relatives on the branches/leaves.
•  Make a nameplate. Decorate it with things that you like or that represent you.

*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!