Andrew Clements Author Study---Discussion Guide

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Andrew Clements Author Study---Discussion Guide
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What does it look like to be in a book club?

• Sit facing your book club members
• Make eye contact
• Have your books and any notes in your hand
• Put your eyes on the speaker
• Stay in your assigned spot

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What does it sound like to be in a book club?

• Everyone is quiet when the speaker is speaking
• You are asking and answering questions
• You are responding to each other
• You may hear or say things like
• I agree with that
• I thought that, too
• One (word, scene, example, idea) I found was
• I think something different
• Lets see what the text says
• I would like to add ____________
• Can you tell me more about
• I think ____________ because the text says
  ______________
• Can you explain why you think that?
• What do you think?

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BEFORE READING(Same-Book Groups)

• 1. Why did you choose this book?
• 2. What genre do you predict the book fits in?
  Explain.
• 3. So, what kinds of things COULD happen in the
  story based on your genre prediction?
• 4. What are your hopes for this book?
• 5. How do you predict the book will be
  organized? Why do you think that?
• 6. What is your purpose for reading this book?

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Section 1(Same-Book Groups)

• 1. Describe everything you know about the main
  character.
• --feelings, actions, inner thoughts
• --relationships
• --strengths/weaknesses
• 2. Using the character trait chart, choose 3-4
  traits that BEST describe your character.
• 3. Is the main character likable? Rate him or her
  on a scale of 1-10. Be prepared to justify your
  rating!
• 4. Is the main character believable as a real
  person? Rate him/her on a scale of 1-10. Be
  prepared to justify your rating!
• 5. Describe the setting of the story.
• 6. Is the setting believable?

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Section 2(Same-Book Groups)

• 1. How is the action in the story rising? What
  is happening? What do you predict the action is
  leading up to?
• 2. Has the author foreshadowed any events?
  Explain.
• 3. Do you agree with the decisions the
  characters are making? Why or why not? What
  might you have done differently?
• 4. What do you like about the authors writing
  style? What do you dislike?
• 5. What has been most memorable (unusual,
  interesting, shocking, funny, etc.) about the
  book so far?

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Section 3(Mixed-Book Groups)

• 1. Are the settings important to the stories?
  Explain.
• 2. Find similarities between the main characters
  of both books.
• 3. Discuss the problems the main character
  encounters. How are they alike? How are they
  different? Are they believable?

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Section 4(Same-Book Groups)

• 1. What techniques does the author use to keep
  the reader interested?
• 2. Have any of the characters changed or learned
  something? How are they different or what have
  they learned?
• 3. Find a VIVID scene from the book. One that
  you can really picture in your head. What does
  the author do to make that scene come alive?
• 4. Books often take us on emotional
  rollercoasters when we feel the ups and downs
  alongside the character. What are some of the
  up experiences the character has and what
  emotion did they evoke? What are some of the
  down experiences and what emotion did they
  evoke?

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Section 5(Same-Book Groups)

• 1. Describe the main problem and how it was
  resolved. Are the problem and resolution
  believable? Explain.
• 2. How did the author organize this book? Did
  the organization make sense?
• 3. What is the THEME of the book? How does the
  plot support the theme?
• 4. What did the author do really well? What
  could the author have done to improve the book?
• 5. Rate this book on a scale of 1-10. Justify
  your rating with facts, details, and examples.

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FINAL MEETING(Mixed-Book Groups)

• Compare the following in your group
• SettingHow were they alike? Different?
• PlotHow were they alike? Different?
• ProblemsHow were the problems the characters
  experienced alike? Different? Were the problems
  believable? What made them believable?
• CharactersHow are the main characters alike?
  Different? Think about their characteristics
  (age, interests, challenges, relationships,
  etc.).
• ThemeHow were the themes similar? Different?
• Writing StyleFind similarities and differences
  between the authors tone, use of language,
  organization, skill, ability to connect with the
  reader, etc.