Read, Discuss, and Do with MARI IN THE MARGINS

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By Marci Whitehurst The best books make readers feel like they aren’t alone. They’re seen. Understood. Our very own  Rebecca J. Gomez  accomplishes this flawlessly in Mari in the Margins , her new middle grade novel in verse, published by Bandersnatch Books. It releases May 14 th !  Here’s a snippet about the novel, which you’ll surely want to READ:   For Marivel Jiménez, life in her big family is full of chaos. Feeling overlooked by her parents and overshadowed by her siblings is frustrating, and it's even worse to have the constant attention of her annoying, mischievous three-year-old sister, Susana.  Caught between her need to be noticed and her dream of having time to herself, Marivel pours herself into poetry and, eventually, art journaling. When she hears of a school-wide poetry contest, she sees winning as a chance to escape the margins of her family and finally be seen. Doesn’t that sound amazing? That’s because it is. I was honored to read the book ahead of its release—and
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Summer Challenge Week Seven: Adventure Awaits!

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 Welcome to week SEVEN of the Read, Discuss, Do! Summer Challenge. This week's theme is Adventure Awaits! We know that books of all kinds can take us on adventures to so many different places. Our hope this week is that you will take your adventure outside the pages of the book and into the real world. This may be that you imagine a hike to the top of Mount Everest or that you head outside to explore your neighborhood, a park, or some place you've never been. Or maybe you just happen to be planning an adventure (vacation) of your own. As long as you get adventuring in some way, that's what counts.

Ideas for books to read:

THE HIKE by Alison Farrell, a delightful book about an adventurous hike, during which the three hikers spot various flora and fauna, munch on berries, get lost, get back on track, and make their way to the top of a mountain. 

SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. Join Sam and Dave on a journey of discovery, though they may not discover what you expect!

TWO AT THE TOP: A SHARED DREAM OF EVEREST by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Christopher Korr. The true story, told in dual perspectives, about Tenzing Norgay's and Edmund Hillary's trek to the top of Mount Everest.

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster is a middle grade classic that makes a fun read aloud for the whole family. When a mysterious tollbooth appears in Milo's room, he drives through because he's bored and has nothing better to do! What comes after is a most unexpected adventure full of word play, rescues, and a realization that the world is anything but dull.

Ideas for things to discuss:

  • What does it mean to go on an adventure? Do you need to climb a mountain or find your way through a scary forest for it to count?
  • What adventures have you been on? 
  • Do you enjoy adventuring or do you prefer to stay close to home?
  • If you were to go on an adventure like one in a fantastical story, what would you bring with you?
  • Who would be a good adventuring partner?
Ideas for things to do:
  • Have an imaginary adventure at home. Consider planning your journey by making a map and packing a small adventure bag.
  • Bring the whole family to a park or hiking trail you've never tried before.
  • Explore a museum.
  • Take a drive somewhere outside of town.
  • Head to an amusement park.
  • Take a bike ride through your neighborhood.
We'd love to hear about your reading and adventures! Share them in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #RDDSummerChallenge.

Comments

Mindy Baker said…
I want to read The Phantom Tollbooth now! Great suggestion. I love adventures big and small!
July 14, 2023 at 10:29 AM
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