Growing Up
Margaret moves with her family from NYC to New Jersey, in part, she suspects, to separate her from her grandmother’s influence. The story focuses on Margaret anticipating puberty and her struggles with trying to choose a religion since she has been raised as “nothing.”
Both Margaret’s sixth grade year and her girls’ club focus on eagerness to grow up and make grown-up decisions. As I read this book, it made me think how important it is to give our kids the tools to make good decisions before they need to make them. In the story, Margaret feels pressure to identify the right religion, learns not to make assumptions about people, and feels pressure to leave childhood.
Click for Discussion Questions
Wow, there is a lot in this book. In fact, there is so much that I would say this is probably suitable for ages 11 and up, even though the main character is 10. Sally Freedman, lover of movie stars and full of imagination, makes a temporary move with her family to Florida for her brother’s health. Her adjustment to the change, the new things she is exposed to there, and growing into the world form the majority of the book. We see an insider’s view of family life in the late 1940’s, complete with stereotypes.
Here are some of the topics covered in the book so you can make up your own mind: Hitler, how Jews were killed, drinking alcohol, racism, breasts, kissing, teenage pregnancy, and where babies come from. As you can see, this book has a lot going on. In fact, it is a little overwhelming from a parent’s point of view. Great fodder for discussion, though!
Click for Discussion Questions
Saved by Fern from an untimely death, runty Wilbur the pig thrives in the barnyard. Learning that he is destined for the smokehouse petrifies him, but Charlotte the spider has a plan to fool the humans and save his life.
What a wonderful book about friendship. There is innocence, the delight in a summer day on a farm, humor, talking animals, and a quiet simplicity that pervades the story. I was worried the first time I read this aloud to my kids (when they were each around four) that Charlotte’s death would be too sad, but they were fine, and it turned out to be a nice way to talk about emotions.
Click for Discussion Questions
Recent comments
2 years 13 weeks ago