What is the Newbery Medal??

Congratulations to two of our student book club members!! They researched and found out who John Newbery was and what defines the Newbery Medal for books. They both received a prize from Ms. Gower.

According to their research, the Newbury Medal was named for the 18th Century bookseller, John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the author of the "Most Distinguished contribution to American Literature for children."

This year's award winner is Neil Gaiman for his book, The Graveyard Book. Check it out at the D.C. Virgo Media Center.

First Meeting Thank You!

Thank you to all who attended our First Cougar Family Book Club meeting last night! We had a great time and are looking forward to members becoming followers of the blog, as well as having club members post their thoughts about the book on the blog!

Happy Reading!!

Discussion Questions for Scorpions

Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers
Discussion Questions by Chapter

Read each chapter, then think about the discussion question for that chapter below before reading on…

Chapter #1
In this first chapter, what do you learn and what can you infer about the setting and characters in the story? (Example: The setting may be a bad city, since it says there are drug addicts on the corner. One of the characters is Jamal who is about 12 years-old and the middle child of three siblings).

Chapter #2
Do you think Jamal should visit Mack? Why or why not? How else could he handle this?

Chapter #3
On page 16, the principal says to Jamal, “ I would ask you to bring your mother to school, but she probably doesn’t care any more about your education than you do.” How do you think this makes Jamal feel? Do you agree with the principal? What do you know about Jamal and his mother that would make you disagree with the principal?
On page 22, Jamal feels “small inside and weak.” How does he handle Dwayne’s comments?

Chapter #4
Describe Tito’s relationship with Sassy and with Jamal?
What emotions do you think Jamal was feeling to pursue his visit with Mack at the crack house?

Chapter #5
There are many reasons for Jamal to stay away from Mack and the Scorpions. What would make Jamal want to go with Mack’s plan of taking over the Scorpions?

Chapter #6
Do you think the attitude of the principal towards Jamal’s behavior encourages more bad behavior? Why or why not?
How would you describe Jamal- is he really “bad?”
What does his dream to own a big boat, someday, say about him?

Chapter #7
The suspense in the story builds at the end of this chapter. What is driving Jamal to follow the direction of the Scorpions?




Chapter #8
This is the first time that Jamal’s father is mentioned in the story. On page 88, the third paragraph describes how Jamal feels about his father and Randy. What does it mean that “each has taken a little piece of Mama…” ?

Chapter #9
There are several conflicts taking place in the story, some internal, others external. What are the conflicts? How could they be resolved before they get worse? Which are internal and which are external?

Chapter #10
Why does Jamal cry after the fight with Dwayne?
What do the boats symbolize for Jamal?

Chapter #11
On page 117, Jamal thinks that if you are part of the life they are living, that sooner or later the police would come and get you. Is this really his fate? Explain.

Chapter #12
What do you think Jamal will do with the gun?
What will Tito’s grandmother do?
Will Dwayne continue to try to fight with Jamal?

Chapter #13
How will the Scorpions treat Jamal, now?

Chapter #14
Who are the adults that could Jamal if he asked? How could this happen?

Chapter #15
Make some predictions…. What is going to happen to Jamal, Tito, Randy, and Mack?

Chapter #16
On page 181, Mama says, “when am I gonna learn that my problems don’t belong to nobody but me…” Make a connection… When has this ever been true in your life?

Chapter #17
What did Tito do so that Jamal could get away? How do you know?
Is Tito a hero?


Chapter #18
Why did the administration at Jamal’s school suggest he take a pill everyday at school? Is he hyperactive or just troubled and making bad choices? What do you think about him taking this medication? What else can be done?

Chapter #19
Do you believe Mack’s story?
What really happened to Angel and Indian?
Why would make Mack make something up?

Chapter #20
What does this story say about friendship?
Why is this a sad story?
Besides friendship, what is the theme of this story?