Lily's Crossing- Meeting #19

Our fourth meeting of the 2015-16 school year was on Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff.  After looking extensively for a Christmas themed book, I gave up and went away from a theme for December.

We got more side thumbs than thumbs up this time.

The host mama put out a delicious spread that the girls munched on while we had our discussion.

The girls noshed on all these yummy things during the discussion

This book was a heavier subject matter than the girls are used to, but they gave it at least a side thumb.  We used our general discussion questions to help guide the discussion.  The girls discussed how both the characters changed throughout the story and how they learned from each other.Taking place in 1944 at a beach town in New York, the girls learned a lot about WWII, Nazis, and the impact the war had one Americans at home.  Lily, the main character, lied a lot in the beginning which the girls didn't like.  They talked about the lie that Albert told as well, and what motivates people to lie.  One of the Mamas With Opinions is a history teacher who knows a lot about World War II.  The girls could ask questions about why they painted their headlights black and had to keep lights off after dark (they thought that the Nazis would bomb them).  In the book, Lily and Albert go to the movies to watch the newsreels and she explained to the girls how most families didn't have a TV and this is how they got their news.

For our activity, we used an online tutorial to make Scrap Ribbon Tree Ornaments.  I brought sticks and twine, and each girl brought ribbons to share with the others.  We wanted to make a christmas ornament that honored the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mentality they had in the 1940s during wartime.

Host mama gave all the girls candy canes filled with Hershey's kisses :)

Merry Christmas from the Girls With Opinions!  Next month, we are reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

Drita, My Homegirl- Meeting #18

Our third meeting of the 2015-16 school year was on Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard.  This book was a story of two worlds colliding as Drita, a refugee from Kosovo ends up in NYC.  She doesn't speak English and a girl in her class befriends her and they both learn about the other's culture.  The girls learned a lot about Kosovo, imagined what it must be like to go somewhere new, and not speak the language, and thought how difficult it was for the girls to connect.  In the end, they have more in common than they realize.

Mostly thumbs up, with one side thumb vote

We used our general discussion questions to help guide the discussion.  The girls discussed how both the characters changed throughout the story and how they learned from each other.

For the activity, the girls colored black and white filigree coloring pages.  Filigree is a time honored tradition of metal smithing in Kosovo.  This website explains a little about filigree in Kosovo.   A google image search for "filigree coloring page" will yield a lot of options to choose from.  I picked two and printed copies for the girls to color.

Coloring filigree designs

We always have a great time together :)  Next month, we are reading Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff.

The Best Halloween Ever- meeting #17

Our second meeting of the 2015-16 school year was a Halloween themed book, The Best (Worst) Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson.  Last year at Christmas time, we read The Best (Worst) Christmas Pageant ever, so it was fun to revisit the Herdmans and the trouble they cause.

The host mama had a fire pit going for the wonderful October weather, and the girls roasted hot dogs for dinner.  They had lots of Halloween bling to wear and vampire teeth which made the discussion of the book interesting to listen to through the teeth :)

They all gave the book thumbs up or side

They roasted hot dogs while we discussed the book.  Its a pretty light book with nothing major in terms of themes.  Just a fun read they enjoyed.

Happy Halloween from the Girls With Opinions!

We had a great time!  Next month, we are reading Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard.