Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Behind the scenes at the museum: Wonderstruck & From the Mixed-up Files...

The Masonville Mother Daughter Teen Book Club is back in action!  Our title for our February 20, 2013
7 - 8:30 pm bookclub is...From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg.  We also had A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle as our runner up.  Both are winners of the Newbery Medal!  Both were written in the 1960s!

We chose From the Mixed-Up Files... because Brian Selznick paid homage to that book in his book Wonderstruck (our January title).  Can you find 4 or 5 things that tie these titles together?  Selznick's own hint for one "homage":  Find out what the E.L. stand for in Konigsburg's name...

Can't wait to hear what you all come up with!

See you Wednesday, Feb.20 at the Masonville Library!

Cheers,
Linda B.
Librarian

CITY OF BONES, NOV 2012
We had a great time discussing the book and making Rune crafts based on the cool Shadowhunter runes here:
http://www.cassandraclare.com/my-writing/excerpts-extras/runes/

WONDERSTRUCK, JAN 2013
In January we read Wonderstruck, had a great discussion and decorated our own Memory Boxes like Ben's.  We even brought special items to tuck into our finished boxes.  There are some amazing websites to explore the world of Wonderstruck and the American Museum of Natural History further:
1.  http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com/home
 Click on "Watch A Video" link under the image of the book cover for a great video featuring Brian Selznick,

2. http://www.scholastic.com/teachbrianselznick/assets/video.htm
On Scholastic's website you can take a Virtual Field Trip to the American Museum of Natural History with Brian Selznick and others guiding your way:
3. http://www.queensmuseum.org/exhibitions/visitpanorama
Check out the Queens Museum of Art website for detailed photographs of Panorama.
4.  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/sites/default/files/asset/file/wonderstruck_discussion_guide.pdf
We discussed much of the story, but if you'd like to explore more questions check out this discussion guide.
Excellent discussion questions to get you talking and thinking more about the book:
5.  I can't wait to read (in words & pictures) what Brian Selznick comes up with next.  Meantime, you can read interviews with him here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/living/wonderstruck/index.html
and here: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/48242-q-a-with-brian-selznick.html