Jake and Lily



Last updated Thursday, January 30, 2014

Author: Jerry Spinelli
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 0060281359
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2014

Synopsis: Jake and Lily are twins. Despite their slightly different interests and temperaments, they feel exactly the same—like two halves of one person. But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms. Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. And Lily is devastated, not to mention angry. Who is she without Jake? And as her brother falls under the influence of the neighborhood bully, he also must ask himself—who is the real Jake? This is an often funny, poignant, and profound story of growing up, growing apart, and the difficult process of figuring out who you really are.

Note to readers:
•  NOTE: This is a book about twins and the chapters and sentences are from either Jake or Lily. If you want, have one volunteer read the Jake sentences/Chapters and the other volunteer read the Lily sentences/Chapters. If that is too difficult, have the reader change voices as he reads so the listeners know whether it is Jake or Lily talking. Read through at least page 41--it's a fast read.

Vocabulary:
•  Zephyr - a light breeze. It can also mean a light article of clothing.
•  Ball-peen hammer- A special type of hammer with a round head.
•  Smirk - to smile in an unpleasant way because you are pleased with yourself, glad about someone else's trouble, etc.
•  Phase - a part or step in a process : one part in a series of related events or actions

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Looking at the cover, how do you think Jake and Lily know each other?
•  Do you have an siblings (brothers/sisters) and do you play/hang out with them? What are the good things about having a brother and sister? What could be bad about having a brother or sister?
•  Jake and Lilly are twins. Do you have a twin?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you think that twins have special communication abilities?
•  Do you think it would be cool to read your brother or sisters mind? Would that be bad?
•  Do you think it's good to be different and have your own interests and friends?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Valentines card for your brother or sister or twin!
•  Make a "Chatterbox Words" to play with your brother or sister and test whether you can guess what they pick? Start with a square piece of paper; fold the square in half vertically and then again horizontally; With the blank side facing you, fold all 4 corners in to the center. You will have a smaller square. Turn the folded square over and fold the 4 corners into the center again--you should have a smaller square. Write 8 numbers in any order (better not to be sequential) on the eight "triangles" that have been created with the folds. Open up each fold (there are 4) and write a positive phrase, things you have in common with the person you are playing or different animals under the fold. You only need 4 written items but you can try to squeeze 8 written items. Turn the folds down again and press the center down so that the corner stick up into the air. The original 4 corners should be point down. Slip your 2 pointer fingers and 2 thumbs from underneath into an original corner and the underside of the center. How to play : open and close the box by alternating moving your pointer fingers out, then back in and then move both pointer finger and thumb out and back in. To start the game, ask you friend/family member to pick a number. Open and close the box equal to the number he/she provides (if he selects 10, open and close 10 times). When you are done, there will be numbers showing between 1 and 8. Have them choose a number displayed in the box. Now you guess what phrase or word is underneath the flap of the number chosen. You can also have them guess what is underneath the flap (You will need to give a hint as to whether they are different animals or people they know or positive phrases you both use)!
•  Make paper dolls of boys and girls holding hands together. Take a piece of white paper and fold in half hamburger style; fold that half in half hamburger style again and then one more time. You should have a long skinny piece of paper. Draw an outline of HALF A BOY on the folded side. Cut out the boy and then open. You should have 4 boy figures holding hands. Now take a small square of colored paper and cut on the diagonal to make 2 triangles. Glue the triangles on two of the figures to make "skirts". Cut out 2 rectangles the width of the bodies and cut out a "U" shape at the top to form the top. Glue the top over the the body and top of the skirt. Draw and color your paper dolls!

*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!