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Zeke Meeks vs the Big Blah-rific Birthday



Last updated Thursday, March 9, 2017

Author: D.L. Green
Illustrator: Josh Alves
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 1404881050
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Mar. 2017

Synopsis: When Zeke's birthday party falls near Grace Chang's and Owen Leech's big bashes, he decides to cancel his party. After all, even he would rather go to their over-the-top parties than his simple celebration. But Zeke and his classmates are in for a surprise. Bigger doesn't always mean better.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  When is your birthday?
•  How do you usually celebrate your birthday?
•  What is your most memorable birthday?

Vocabulary

•  Allowance - an amount of money that is given to someone regularly or for a specific purpose
•  Museum - a building in which interesting and valuable things are collected and shown to the public
•  Invitation - a written or spoken request for someone to go somewhere or to do something
•  Hammock - a type of bed that consists of a piece of cloth hung between two trees, poles

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you have siblings? How many?
•  Do you have to share things like your toys with them?
•  Do you have chores?
•  Do you get an allowance?

Craft ideas:
•  Create an invitation for a party.
•  Draw a picture of a party.
•  Check our music in March craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/march-2017-music-entertainment/

Special activities:
•  As a group plan a party (theme, food, games, etc.).

*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!