Ages 10 and up /
Middle-grade fiction / Published by Harper Collins
Win a set of
SAVING SKY by Diane Stanley for your book club.
Enter to win by emailing the author (write
"KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).
Dear Reader, I moved to New
Mexico a few years ago and instantly fell in love with the life here. People are tuned into nature in a
special way and sometimes they choose to live very simply -- out in the country,
raising chickens and goats and growing their own food. I remember the first time I met someone
who heated his house with a wood stove (and believe me, it gets very cold up
here in the mountains). I thought,
what a fascinating setting for a book for kids. Later, that thought got mixed up with something else that
was on my mind: the way our country changed after 9/11, and the rights and
freedoms we were losing in the name of safety. I turned up the heat a notch in my head, made the terrorists
stronger. In SAVING SKY,
the country is at war. Terrorists strike at random, widespread rationing is in
effect, and the power is down all over the country. But thirteen-year-old Sky
Brightman is remarkably untouched by it all. She lives in a peaceful haven, off
the grid on sixty beautiful acres of New Mexico ranch land, with a loving
family, three horses, and an elderly dog who gives her gifts. No TV or internet
brings disturbing news into their little adobe home. Then a string of
mysterious arrests begin and her new friend Kareem becomes a target. Sky is
finally forced to confront the world in all its complexity. Summoning her
considerable courage and ingenuity, she takes a stand against injustice. With
humor, hope, and fierce determination, she sets out to change the world. SAVING SKY is
different from anything I've written before. It may be my favorite book, and Sky my most remarkable
character. I am very proud
of SAVING SKY. It might make you
cry. It will certainly make you
think. Thanks for
reading,
Diane Stanley
Book
reviews:
"In this
provocative title, award-winning author Stanley asks young readers to consider
what courage might look like in an America under psychological and physical
siege . . . To categorize this novel as science fiction would be wishful
thinking, and parallels to our contemporary times appear on every page . . .
Readers will have much to discuss . . . beautifully written." - Booklist (starred review) "This page-turner subtly builds an all-too-believable near future, sowing
just enough clues to keep readers informed and rarely descending into blunt
exposition. It skillfully captures the irrational fear of a public under siege
while giving kids a modern-day, almost-just-like-them female hero who champions
hope. Inspiring." - Kirkus Reviews
Discussion
questions:
1. Why do you
think Sky's family lives the way they do-off the grid, out in the country? Why wouldn't they choose to live in
town, with electricity, and central heating, and a television, and other modern
conveniences? Do you think it's
because they feel safer out in the country? Or do they like being close to nature? What about their customs and lifestyle
has helped Sky and Mouse cope with frightening events?
2. Why do you
think did the people in Home Depot acted the way they did? How far should a country go to keep its
people safe?
3. Was it right
for Sky's family to break the law by hiding Kareem?
4. What do you
think happened after Sky gave her speech? Do you think you could have done what she did?
5. Sky's mother
tells her to find an injustice, something she could manage, and try to make it
right. Can you think of someone
you can help, or some way you can make the world a little better?
To read more
about SAVING SKY and learn about Diane's other books, see her website. Author call-in information: Diane Stanley is happy to call-in to
your club. Email Diane
to submit your request.
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Ages 8 and up /
Nonfiction / Teen memoir / Published by Apprentice House
Win a set of PLAYING TIME: WHAT KIDS REALLY THINK ABOUT KIDS' SPORTS by Quinn Cotter for your
book club.
Enter to win by emailing the author (write
"KidsBookclubbing" in the subject line).
Dear Reader,
I'm 17, a
student-athlete and the author of PLAYING TIME: WHAT KIDS REALLY THINK ABOUT KIDS' SPORTS. By age 13, 73% of kids drop out of sports. I've ridden the
bench so the coach's klutzy kid could play and I've been a star... I've gotten
home after practice at 9:30 and had to face 4 hours of homework. I've been
abandoned by jealous friends. I've been cheered for my accomplishments and
cursed out by coaches. Kids may be inexperienced in sports and life, but we're
not stupid. PLAYING TIME will
help kids play better, play longer and smile more.
Happy Reading,
Quinn Cotter
Book
reviews:
"I truly hope
you will all enjoy PLAYING TIME as much as I did. In the
game of baseball, there is a phrase "Leave it all on the field." That is
exactly what precocious Quinn Cotter has done in this book. Though a
teenager, Quinn will teach you, humor you, provoke you, challenge you and guide
you to become a better parent, coach or teammate -- even a sports fan -- all through
the experiences and reflections of a student athlete. Please savor this
worthwhile journey." - Jim Palmer, Hall of
Fame MLB pitcher, and baseball commentator "PLAYING TIME captures
the very essence of youth sports. Any parent, coach, fan or participant in
youth sports should have this in their library. Quinn Cotter's real life
experiences establish the foundation from which every youth sports program
should be evaluated." - Bob
Bowlsby, Athletic Director, Stanford University
Discussion
questions:
1. In your opinion, why do 73% of
kids drop out of kids' sports by the time they are 13?
2. "To be honest with you, whenever I rode the
bench, I would secretly hope for the kid playing my position to mess up big
time. I'm not proud or ashamed
that I felt this way, I just did." (page 53) How do the themes of PLAYING TIME: excellence, humility, sportsmanship and respect, crash, head-on, in
this quote? Have you ever
experienced conflicting feelings?
3. Quinn says that a parent's job is
to organize but not control kids' sports. Can you give an
example of "organizing" and an example of "controlling?" What is the difference?
4. Quinn has respect
for parent's conflicts too. "My father and I were looking at baseball bats, and
I liked one that cost $225. The
salesman showed us another bat for $300. He said the $300 bats were "flying out
of here." ...He kind of implied that if my dad didn't get me that bat, he wasn't
a good dad." (page 77) Identify
some issues that parents have to cope with on the sidelines.
5. Writing note cards and storing
them in a private shoebox was a way for Quinn to get "things off his chest."
What are some ways you relieve stress?
6. How has Quinn matured from the
time he wrote the book (age 15) to the time he wrote the Afterword (age 17)?
To read a
discussion guide, find out more about youth sports, and follow Quinn on
Twitter, see his website. Author call-in Info: Quinn Cotter is happy to call-in to your book club. Email Quinn to submit your
request.
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