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The Birthday Room
Last updated Sunday, June 5, 2005
Author: Kevin Henkes
Date of Publication: 1999
ISBN: 0688167330
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2005
Synopsis:
"Two of the things Benjamin Hunter received for his twelfth birthday took him completely by surprise: a room and a letter. The room was from his parents. The letter was from his uncle."
Ben was just two years old when he and his uncle, Ian, were last together, so Ben didn't remember him. And no one in Ben's family ever talked about the man. Thenthe letter arrived, changing Ben's life, and changing his family in unexpected ways. And there was the birthday room...
| 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.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What do you want for your birthday?
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What was your favorite birthday present you have
received? Given? What's the worst present you ever
received.
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What pictures are on the cover? How do you think
they might relate to the story?
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What do you think the title of this book means?
What do you think the story will be about?
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Have your parents ever pressured you to be a
certain way or to be a certain kind of person?
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Metaphors are similes without the words "like" or
"as." Have students keep track of (or shout out) the
metaphors as you read.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Topics for pages 3-9:
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There are 3 rooms in the attic - what are they used
for?
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Compare how Ben's parents celebrate his birthday
with how your parents celebrate your birthday.
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What did Ben hope to get as a birthday present? Do
you remember a time when you wanted something and you
didn't get it? What happened?
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How would you feel about getting a room for a
present? Why do you think that he feels similarly/
differently?
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Topics for pages 9-12:
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What other presents did Ben get for his birthday?
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Describe Gramma Lu
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Compare Ben's feelings about the room with his
feelings after he read the letter.
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Topics for pages 13-19:
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What did you learn about Ben's relationship with
his uncle? How does Ben's mom feel about his uncle?
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Topics for pages 20-22:
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What happened to Ben's painting Yellow Sky?
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Why did Ben end up wishing that he had never
painted it?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Look at your hands, and try to sketch them (bring
ahead option - paintings/ drawings of hands by
artists, especially Diego Rivera, or charcoal to
sketch with).
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Make your own drawing entitled Yellow Sky.
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Draw an aerial view of your perfect bedroom,
furniture, decorations, etc.
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| Special activities: |
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Bring ahead option for prize books: bring birthday
wrapping paper and have the children wrap the prize
books to be given out later.
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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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