Discussion Topics - The Parker Inheritance

• where would you hide a treasure?
• was James Parker right to go back to being Reggie?
• what would you miss most about your home, school, town?
• favorite character? why?
• who would you recommend this book to?

Discussion Topics - Howl's Moving Castle

Why did Sophie think that Howl ate girls' hearts?
Was Howl good or bad?
Have you ever thought someone was bad and then when you learned more about them found that you were wrong?
What 3 other places would you want your door to open to?
What did you think of Sophie's response to being old? How would you have responded?
What did you think of Michael?
Why was Sophie afraid of Howl? Of the scarecrow? Of the dog?
When did you realize what Calcifer really was?
Why was Sophie nervous about breaking the contract?
Throughout the book, did Sophie like Howl? Did Howl like Sophie?
Why didn't Howl tell Sophie what he knew about her spell? About Miss Algorian?
What would your wizard name be?
For further discussion, you can find an interview with the author, Diana Wynne Jones, at the back of the book. Get Howl's Moving Castlefrom Amazon.com

Discussion Topics - Mother Daughter Book Club: Pies and Prejudice

Was it 'fair to use audio books? Compare and contrast audio books with traditional books.
What did you learn about a woman's life situation in the late 1700s?
Which character are you most like? Why?
Is there another character you'd prefer to be like? Why?
The characters have so many interests. Name some of them.
Did this story inspire you to read Jane Austen? Why or why not?
Mrs. Hawthorne said Rupert Loomis "hadn't grown into himself yet." What did she mean?
You can find 'Queen Bees' or bullies like Annabelle Fairfax in real life. How should they be handled
Jane Austen was Mrs. Hawthorne's favorite author. Who is yours?

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You can find more discussion topics at the back of the book. You can get the book Pies & Prejudice (Mother Daughter Book Club)at Amazon.com.

Discussion Topics - Every Soul a Star

List some of the astronomic terms and concepts you learned.
What would be your favorite spot at Moon Shadow? The Art House, Alien Central, Mining for Gold, the Hot Spring? Would you want to live at the Moon Shadow Campground?
Why did Mr. Silver ask Jack to go on this trip?
Why did Jack think that Ryan was pointing out Ally as the pretty one?
What do you think happened to Ally, Bree and Jack after the eclipse? How would Ally do in 'civilization'? Bree at the camp? And Jack back to 'normal life'?
What was similar about the siblings - Kenny, Melanie and Mike? What was different?
Have you ever seen an eclipse? Would you want to see one after this story?
What did you think of the structure of this book? Different voices - Ally, then Bree, then Jack? Which character did you connect with most?
What are your impressions of Stella?

Discussion Topics - What The Moon Saw

What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau describes life in a small rural village in Mexico - a place that few people have been. It also describes the inner world of a child - a place all of us have been or will go. This book opens up a new world while allowing people to discuss their own inner world, an interesting contrast. Perhaps your CookieBooky group can use these discussion topics to learn more about yourselves and each other.

Would you want to visit Yucuyoo? Why or why not?
Do you think you would be more 'comfortable' in Yucuyoo, Oaxaca City or Walnut Hill? Explain.
Did you understand any of the Spanish in the book? Which words?
Were you surprised to learn that there is a language called Mixteco?
What do you think of Abuelita's 'visions' and her healing powers? Also discuss the use of herbs and plants as medicine.
Carla drew in her sketchbook to express her feelings and to remember events? What is your creative outlet?
What would you do in a situation where you had to go 2 months without TV, internet or phone?
What did the title of the book mean?
Discuss the saying "we all eat from the same tortilla".
Discuss your heritage.

Discussion Topics - The Mother Daughter Book Club

The Mother-Daughter Book Club read their book over the course of the year. What are the benefits of taking that much time with one book? Any drawbacks?
Which girl is most like you? Why?
Which girl would have been your best friend? Why?
Describe the characteristics of the mothers. Which of the mothers reminded you of your own mother? Why?
How do you think their participation helped the girls learn about themselves? About their friends? About their mothers?
What did you think about what happened with Megan Wong and the Fab Four?
Do you know a Becca Chadwick? How should Emma deal with Becca?
Concord, Mass. is a place of historical interest. Name and describe some of the historic places you've been.
Have you read Little Women (or seen the movie)? What did you think of it?

Discussion Topics - Clarice Bean Spells Trouble

Who would play Clarice Bean in the movie?
Do you know any other characters created by Lauren Child?
Did Clarice do the right thing by taking the blame for the spray-painting?
Why did Carl stop talking to Clarice? Did he overreact? Was Clarice too harsh?
Which movie would you most like to be in? What would your Hollywood star name be?
Think of your own word like ‘exceptionordinarily’. Mix two words to make a bigger, better word.
A mnemonic is a tool that helps you remember something like "ROY G BIV" for the colors of the rainbow. Tell your favorite mnemonic or come up with your own for something you have trouble remembering.

Discussion Topics - The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Shona used the word ‘swishy’. Come up with your own mermaid word for ‘cool’. And use it whenever you can!
Would you want to be half-mermaid or whole mermaid? Or no mermaid at all?
If you lived on a houseboat, what would the boat’s name be?
Mr. Beeston - evil character or just doing his job?
Would you have been able to stand up for yourself the way Emily did with King Neptune?
What should happen in the next book(s)?
Would you have been brave enough to go in to the sunken ship? The jail?
You find a locked treasure chest, guess three things in it.
Who are you most like - Emily (shy and reserved) or Shona (outgoing & studious)?
Would you want to live on a boat? Have you ever driven a boat? What would your boat's name be?
They had Rainbow Rocks - what place is special enough to you that you wouldn't be surprised to find a mermaid there?
Why did they put Jake in jail? Why did they let him out?

Discussion Topics - Poppy

Which was your favorite character? And why?
Do you think Poppy would have done what she did if she hadn't met Ragweed?
Suggest names for Poppy's children.
What interesting facts did you learn about animals and nature from this book?
Discuss the differences in the ways the mice treated Ocax and the way Ereth treated him.
What have you learned about bullies from knowing more about Ocax?
Discuss Lungwort's response to Poppy when she returned.
What did Poppy learn from Lungwort, Ereth and Ragweed?
Would you have been as brave as Poppy was when she went with Lungwort to ask Ocax about moving?
Why did the author name the porcupine Erethizon Dorsatum?
Name some reasons that George the cat wasn't interested in eating Poppy the mouse.

Discussion Topics - Pictures of Hollis Woods

What was the name of the place Hollis Woods was born? Is it a real place? What place would you like to be named after?
What is your favorite color? Do you have a specific favorite crayon color?
If she was willing, should Josie be allowed to take in other foster children?
What one scene of a moment in your life would you like to draw a picture of?
Do you think having Hollis there made things more difficult between Steven and the Old Man?
Should Steven have told the Old Man that he knew Josie and Hollis were hiding at their summer house?
Do you think Hollis Woods really was a mountain of trouble?

Discussion Topics - Olivia Kidney

Favorite character? Least favorite?
What clues were given about Branwell?
Christopher called the dolls effigies. Can you name other examples of an effigy?
Should George Kidney use his old toolbox?
Did the title and cover of the book give you an idea of the story?
Principessa Christina Lilli - exiled royalty or nutty neighbor?
Describe Olivia in three words.
How could Sidi use her powers for good purposes?
Seances and tarot cards - what are your thoughts about fortune-telling, ghosts and the supernatural?

Discussion Topics - The Landry News

Would you like to have Mr. Larson as a teacher? Why or why not?
Do you think that publishing the Guardian was a good idea?
Was publishing the divorce story a bad idea?
What job would you like to have if you worked on a newspaper?
What would you name your newspaper if you had one?
Would you have put The Landry News up on the wall like Cara did in the beginning?
Describe Cara in three words.
Dr. Barnes - right or wrong?
Do you think good newspapers actually have hearts?
What makes a good teacher?
What actress do you think could play Cara if The Landry News was made into a movie?

Discussion Topics - Half Magic

Which one of their wishes was the best?
If you found a magic coin - with one 'half' wish - what would your wish be?
Sir Launcelot- haughty jerk or brave knight?
Would you have freaked out if you saw half-Martha?
Do you think Mr. Smith and the children's mom were "destined" for each other?
At the end, what did the girl wish for after she realized the charm's powers? Be creative...
What did you think of Mark making all Achmed's dreams come true?
Jane's accidental wish - did her father really appear or was it her own wishful thoughts?
When Jane belonged to the other family - might she have returned without the magic of the charm?
What makes a good grownup?
Make up a name for the sequel. (There really is a sequel. It's name is Magic By The Lake.)
Give the charm a name.

Discussion Topics - The Great Good Thing

What one thing would you have changed about this book?
What would you call the sequel to this book?
Create a name for the land where King Walther and Queen Emmeline ruled.
Try to think of some of your memories that may have a little 'rust.'
Would you have liked the book to have illustrations?
Do you know any books that are so good that their characters almost seem to come alive?
If you were a character in a book, would you have been as brave as Sylvie and crossed over into Claire's dream?
Was Sylvie right or wrong when she looked at the reader?
What book would you like to step into? And what character would you like to have step out of a book?
Try to think of another name for the Disappointed Ones.

Discussion Topics - The Doll People

Which was your favorite character? And why?
Did Annabelle do the right thing by putting her family at risk to save Aunt Sarah?
Do you know a family that reminds you of the Funcrafts? The Dolls?
Which one of your own dolls would you want to believe was alive/animate?
Who are you more like - Annabelle or Tiffany?
Do you know other books written by Ann M. Martin?
Name your own secret club.

Discussion Topics - Solomon Snow and the Silver Spoon

Many books by Charles Dickens are about orphans in bleak settins. The author was trying to emulate Dickens, did she do a good job?
Were you happy for Solomon in the end? Why or why not?
Was Prudence a likable character? How about Rosabella?
Many of the names in this book were descriptive of the person or place. What one adjective would you choose as a first name? What would you choose for the name of a town?
What would your circus name be?
Would a different cover have been more enticing?
Name the ways that Rosabella was helpful.
Would Solomon have been better off if Prudence never said anything?
Which character would you most want for a friend?
Who were the characters that treated children well? Who were the ones who didn't?

Discussion Topics - The Secret School

Why did Ida insist that the students call her Miss Bidson?
Would you be able to learn if any of your friends became your teacher?
What traits make a good teacher? (Does age matter?)
Would you like to go to a one-room school?
Why did the children feel that they had to keep the school secret?
If you had to choose between going to school and pursuing your studies on your own or no school at all - which would you choose? Why?
Did Henry fail the test on purpose? Why or why not?
The radio was an all-new invention to the kids at the time. What machines are new and innovative for kids now?
Ida's father said she had a choice between hating herself and being scared. What did she choose? What would you have chosen?

Discussion Topics - The Sea of Monsters

Why didn't Percy see that Tyson was a cyclops?
Discuss this effect and how people don't always see what's right in front of them.
Which cabin would you want to belong to?
How did Grover fool Polyphemus? How did Polyphemus figure out that Grover was a satyr?
With so many threats against them, how can Percy and Annabeth know who to trust?
Where is the Sea of Monsters? What modern urban legend surrounds this area?
C.C. (Circe) talked about other famous daughters of Athena like Amelia Earhart. What famous women would you think were daughters of Athena?
Hermes wanted Percy to save Luke but Percy wasn't able to. How do you feel about Luke? Do you think he thinks he's doing the right thing? Is this just an extreme case of teenage rebellion against parents?
The kids rode large seahorses to safety. Which sea creature would you want to ride to safety on?
Will Percy and Thalia be friends or enemies?

Discussion Topics - Princess Academy

Miri is named after a flower. List some other flower names.
Why did you think Prince Steffan was acting strangely at the ball?
Should they have allowed Britta to be Princess even though she wasn't really a Mount Eskel girl?
What would you like to see happen in a sequel to the Princess Academy?
Why did Miri's father keep her from working in the quarry?
Olana - well-intentioned teacher or mean-hearted disciplinarian. What do you think?
Do you think there's really a place like Mount Eskel? Where would it be?
Were you disappointed that Miri did not become princess?
What are the rules of diplomacy? Do you think you could use them in your everyday life? How about the rules of conversation?

Discussion Topics - The Nobodies

Who did you think the mole was? How about the Hermit? Why didn't they get along?
Corky Gorsky was really a good guy - why were Fern and Howard suspicious of him?
Why didn't Dorathea live in the castle? Do you think Fern would have preferred it to the 'house of books'?
What is another solution they could have come up with for what to do with the Nobodies? Can you name other characters that might have been Nobodies?
Mary Stern - friend or foe?
Why did Auggie frame the Bone? When did Fern feel the same the Bone must have felt when he was accused of something he didn't do?
If BORT was actually an acronym - what might it stand for?
What or who would you shake out of a book if you could?
Life is always in flux, always changing. Describe ways that you observe this in the world.