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Friday, May 13, 2011

The Incredible Journey Book Review and Book Club/Poetry Club 2011/12

Cover of "The Incredible Journey"Cover of The Incredible Journey
The Incredible Journey was a favourite of mine growing up, so it was with fond nostalgia that I explored the beautiful Canadian wilderness through Sheila Burnford's eyes, at our recent book club.

If you have not read this timeless Canadian classic,  you will enjoy the adventure as experienced through a Labrador, a Siamese cat and a Bull Terrier as they set out on an incredible journey across the wilderness of northwestern Ontario.  The adventure that ensues involves wilderness survival, injuries, starvation, isolation, cold, and brutal exhaustion.  The thrill of this good tale keeps the reader riveted to catch the next turn in the plot, while the author's stunning description of the Canadian outback is mesmerizing.

Our book club members studied:  themes of the book, including survival and  loyalty in friendship, the strength of the plot, moral choices as opposed to Christian choices, the authenticity of the culture, freedom of choice, cultural symbols, author's use of literary technique and the book's credibility in terms of classics!  Wow is all I can say!  My super star book clubbers have really learned how to deconstruct books this year, and I am so proud of them!

If you are interested in being in our Book and Poetry club next year, and are between the ages of 11 and 15 we would love to include you at our meetings.  Make a time to become a cyber buddy in Christ:)

When and Where do we meet?  Starting up again in mid October we will meet every 6 weeks on a Wednesday night at 7.15 pm via Elluminate.  We go right through until the end of May.  Sessions last for about an hour..sometimes a little longer.  You need to do the participant Elluminate tutorial to become part of our group, and most of our students learn at the first session:) 

What do you need?
A good microphone headset, and time to read the books and come to meetings.
A public library card or access to a library to borrow books.
All books are reviewed by myself, and "clubbers",  for suitability and enjoyment for both boys and girls.

What do we do?  We chat about books, pray for each other and discuss literacy, suggest new books, read and celebrate our creative writing, and generally get to know each other:)

PLUS
This coming year there will be prizes at each meeting, and an author reading somewhere in that year!

I want to thank all my book club members for blessing me this year with amazing conversation, along with their supportive parents who encouraged them to fulfill their literacy goals.


Here is the list of possible reads for next year!

Fahrenheit 451.

Pilgrim's Progress.   Free E book.

Silverwing.  Kenneth Oppel.

Call of the Wild.  Jack London.

Moby Dick.  Herman Mellville.

Owls in the Family.  Farley Mowat.

The Mistmantle Chronicles

Treasure Island. Robert.  Louis Stevenson.

Mixed Up Tales of Mrs Basil Frankweiler.  El Konigsberg.

Stormbreaker.  Anthony Horowitz


I look forward to hearing from you, if you would like to sign up your students for our HCOS Book club. 

Blessings to you as you support literacy in your home.

Pippa



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2 comments:

  1. I would like my son to try your online book club. He's eleven and relatively new to homeschooling. I had some additional questions for you. Do you have a email address? Thanks, Amy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Amy
    Yes please contact me at pdavies@onlineschool.ca and I will forward you some more information. Or you can take a look at the library interface under book clubs. Thanks for touching base! Blessings Pippa

    ReplyDelete

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