Our January read was Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya.
Some Bookshoppers felt that the ending was too sad. Others thought the story
was too similar to other books they had already read, with a troubled teen and
an absent parent.
We talked about what it was like to visit family members we had never
met before, especially in a place where we did not speak the language.
We also discussed bullying and how Marcus was seen as more threatening
because of his size, while everyone agreed that Stephan’s bullying with words
was worse.
Some Bookshoppers felt that the ending was too sad. Others thought the story
was too similar to other books they had already read, with a troubled teen and
an absent parent.
We talked about what it was like to visit family members we had never
met before, especially in a place where we did not speak the language.
We also discussed bullying and how Marcus was seen as more threatening
because of his size, while everyone agreed that Stephan’s bullying with words
was worse.
Our activity was making our own fantasy islands and topographical maps.
Working in three groups of three, we used salt dough (non-toxic but still not
delicious, y’all) to sculpt islands inside plastic containers. Then we marked
the outsides of the containers in centimeters added colored water in increments
to see what features remained above water. We outlined these features onto clear
plastic to mark the islands’ topography. Finally we traced the outlines onto paper
and added place names and other details.
Working in three groups of three, we used salt dough (non-toxic but still not
delicious, y’all) to sculpt islands inside plastic containers. Then we marked
the outsides of the containers in centimeters added colored water in increments
to see what features remained above water. We outlined these features onto clear
plastic to mark the islands’ topography. Finally we traced the outlines onto paper
and added place names and other details.
I got this idea from The Oakland Toy Lab via Instructables. There are more activities
you can try with this project if you follow the link! I also got a terrific recommendation
from a coworker for a program called Inkarnate if you would like to continue to explore
fantasy mapmaking.
you can try with this project if you follow the link! I also got a terrific recommendation
from a coworker for a program called Inkarnate if you would like to continue to explore
fantasy mapmaking.
I am sorry I wasn’t able to catch everyone in focus! My cell phone photography skills
need some work :) Just think of it as a dramatic “action” effect.
need some work :) Just think of it as a dramatic “action” effect.
Next month we’ll be shifting to nonfiction with Randall Munroe’s Thing Explainer.
I hear What If was a huge hit last year, so I am really excited to hear Bookshoppers’
opinions on this unusual book. See you on February 4!
I hear What If was a huge hit last year, so I am really excited to hear Bookshoppers’
opinions on this unusual book. See you on February 4!
