The Losers Club

From @BarkingMadRun & @Mynameisacolour:

“This month‘s book:
This month‘s book is #Everythingseventual ! Grab your copy and check back around January 18th (probably a few days later, because I‘m a forgetful ghosthost) for open discussion! #LosersClub“ #BuddyRead

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stuck.in.the.stacks

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Today on the Blog we are kicking off our first themed recs Thursday with some books that Emily and her family have read for the book club started by her 9 year old (so cute!). ❤

https://stuckinthestacks.com/2019/11/15/themed-thursdays-middle-grade-books-to-r...

Let us know in the comments about books your kids have loved!

We are always looking theme ideas! Get in touch with us and we will feature your suggestion on the site! 📚

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

pick

I love books about books & reading so this middle grade book was right up my alley. I can't wait to book talk it to my students!

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Here is the link to Andrew Clements website for some background information: http://www.andrewclements.com/bio.html
#mgbuddyread

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #9 #mgbuddyread

Smangela I liked it! One of my favorites of our mgbuddyreads! I like the author‘s writing style very much! 7y

Amie I'm having a hard time deciding how I feel about it. I liked the message and the characters and how they worked things out, and I would definitely recommend it to kids. As an adult, I disliked the writing style and had some issues with some plot points that didn't seem realistic. So I didn't really enjoy it for myself but I will recommend it to kids. 7y

Lmstraubie @amie I know what you mean. The cynic in me thought everything was neatly resolved. However, I also thought it was a great book for those who love reading. And since I like the escapism of reading wouldn't it be nice if life did work this way? 7y

See All 12 Comments

Peddler410 My daughter and I loved it! She immediately recognized one of her classmates as Alec. We gave it to him when we finished and he read it in one day! I cried when Kent talked with Alec about Hatchet. Maybe too perfect world-ish, but it displayed exactly what we librarians hope we can do every time! The fact that Alec gave him the book for one reason and Kent connected in a more personal way ... yay! 7y

Smangela @lmstraubie @amie @Peddler410 something I had thought of was that Alec seemed more mature than I think that age normally is. His ability to think through his emotions and see the logic seemed unlikely but like a good example also 7y

Amie @Smangela I agree that it seemed to mature, but I liked how his thought process showed him going from angry and irrational to something more constructive - like you said a good example for kids. I also thought his little brother was way too perceptive and wise for a 3rd grader. 7y

Peddler410 @Smangela I have to respectfully disagree. Five years ago I might have agreed, but my daughter has long been shattering my expectations of what kids are capable of. Maybe because she is an only child she‘s more mature but maybe not. She is so in tune with the feelings and emotions of both her friends and classmates — including those kids in the extended day program. This comes from her counselors, not just Mom. 7y

Smangela @Peddler410 I totally defer to your judgement - you‘ve got the experience :) and that‘s awesome. When you mention it what I remember of that time is from a child‘s memory - which isn‘t always true to what it was like... if that makes sense :) 7y

Smangela I also love that your daughter can give input - because often when we‘re reading these novels I find myself wondering what the target age group would think of the book and situations - it‘s a great perspective to add for these discussions! @Peddler410 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 I love that your daughter reads along with us. As I was reading I kept thinking that Alec would make a fantastic librarian one day. 7y

merelybookish I'm sorry I missed out on the #mgbuddyread this month since I'm a sucker for a book about books/reading. But December was hectic. I plan to be back next month. ☺️ 7y

Lmstraubie @merelybookish We missed you!!! It will be great to have you back next month. If you can, read this one. It is quick and a perfect book for readers who like books about books. 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #8 #mgbuddyread

Smangela Absolutely! Often rereading a book from childhood can change... some books hold up but a lot of series don‘t which can be disappointing 7y

Smangela Also, sometimes reading a book at different times in your life, you get different things from it. 7y

Lmstraubie @Smangela I feel the same way! I always find it amazing how rereading a book, especially from childhood, can seem like a totally different book. 7y

See All 6 Comments

Peddler410 @Smangela I agree as well! In fact, I encourage students to reread favorite books at least twice — five years later and ten years later. Rereading a book to my daughter always creates a new experience — I read lots of MG and YA books because I love them. So, experiencing them again with my daughter‘s innocence makes me see things a bit differently—always in a good way. 7y

Peddler410 Watching Rudolph the first time with my daughter — she was 3 — I saw Santa as a BIG bully! She mentioned it and I realized I never saw it that way. 7y

Smangela @Peddler410 I can definitely see that. Some of the older movies I had liked rub me the wrong way sometimes. I was watching Burlesque last night and Stanley Tucci‘s character called Kristen Bell‘s character a slut and I was shocked. It really rubbed me the wrong way! 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #7 #mgbuddyread

SilversReviews Great question. They all do that for me. :) 7y

Purrfectpages Great question! Hard to pick just one! Lol All I know is I love the feeling when it happens! (edited) 7y

Dragon I‘m lucky that I can dive into almost any book and disappear for awhile. It‘s my super power 😂🐉 7y

See All 11 Comments

Smangela So many! I agree @SilversReviews @Purrfectpages @dragon My family used to joke about how I couldn‘t hear anything when I was reading. A good book will really grab you ☺️ 7y

Dragon Totally agree @Purrfectpages ! 👍📚🐉 7y

Dragon @Smangela love that lost in a book feeling 💕📚🐉 7y

Lmstraubie @Dragon Agreed! Unless I don't connect with a book I get lost in them all. Sometimes when I finish a book I feel like my best friend just moved away. 7y

Dragon Thanks @Lmstraubie I know what you mean. I finished reading the Queen‘s Thief series and I‘m still pining for Eugenides ( my favourite Thief) 7y

Tamra Just recently it was

The Lightkeepers: A Novel

Dolly Usually a lengthy realistic read will allow me to fall into it. The one that comes to mind is

Lonesome Dove: A Novel

Peddler410 Wow! I think realistic fiction does this for me most — I tend to choose those books which introduce my to characters unlike me. My daughter (8) just said the Thea Stilton books do this for her. 7y

34 likes11 comments

Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #6 #mgbuddyread

Smangela Is funny because this stuck out in the book for me. But I don‘t like it. There is just something about it that seems disjointed to me, like the metaphor is forced 7y

Amie Maybe because he spent so much time reading about characters/other people experiencing things, he didn't feel like he had a lot of his own experiences so this story out to him - like he's creating his own story of his life. 7y

Peddler410 I think this quote is a representation of Alec‘s decision to start living — to create some non-fiction, if you will, to his life. This, if I recall correctly, is when Alec starts to think a bit more about living outside his books. 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 I like your observation of him creating more non-fiction in his life. I agree it was a turning point in the story. 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #5 #mgbuddyread

Smangela I think the difference between teasing and bullying is intention. They can both still hurt feelings of course but I do think Kent‘s intention was to embarrass Alec and was therefore bullying. 7y

Amie @Smangela I agree. I also think for it to be teasing, the person being"teased" needs to feel like it's funny and not hurtful. Alec definitely wasn't having fun, so to me it's bullying. 7y

Peddler410 I agree with both @amie and @Smangela . I don‘t think I need to add anything else. 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #4 #mgbuddyread

Smangela I think Kent was jealous of Alec and also wanted to be the center of attention. 7y

Lmstraubie @Smangela It definitely seemed like Kent was confident in himself, but with a slight undertone of a need to continually prove himself. 7y

Amie @Smangela @Lmstraubie I agree. He seemed like an arrogant show-off. 7y

See All 7 Comments

Peddler410 @Smangela @amie @Lmstraubie I agree that Kent needed to be the center of attention. I don‘t feel we learn enough about Kent to properly answer this question. Maybe Kent was not a good student and struggled with reading... 7y

Amie @Peddler410 your comment reminded me that Kent does mention that his parents are getting divorced so maybe he's acting out because of that, which makes him a little more sympathetic. 7y

Peddler410 @amie I was going to mention that, but the “teasing/bullying” started earlier than when I interpreted the divorce. (edited) 7y

Smangela @Peddler410 @amie @Lmstraubie very good point! I do think that we only see one side of the bullying. Not that he is justified but he does open up to Alec eventually and Alec can see that there are reasons he was acting out. I felt Kent was confident in his sports abilities but probably not confident about other things - insecurity is often another reason kids (or adults) bully 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #3 #mgbuddyread

Mdargusch I do think I would be worried as a parent if my child went off from the world to read,read,read. 7y

Libby1 Yes. I think so. I need to make sure I balance things and remember to live my own life. (This from someone who stayed up ALL NIGHT to finish a book and is feeling some pretty nasty consequences today!) 7y

lauren.lerner I‘m not doing this buddy read but I hope it‘s okay that I chime in: my parents took my books away from me when I was in fourth grade because I refused to do my homework, I just wanted to read. I wouldn‘t say I read too much but I lacked an understanding of balance, being all of nine years old at the time. 7y

See All 15 Comments

Smangela @lauren.lerner I used to get grounded from books too - lack of balance absolutely! @Mdargusch @Libby1 I did have a friend who used to read during class and got in trouble. Smart girl but it is also disrespectful to your teachers and we definitely should teach respect. Sometimes it is hard to not go finish a book I‘m reading when I‘m with others but I know that would be rude so I resist lol 7y

Lmstraubie @lauren.lerner I'm so glad you joined in! It is hard at 9 to know how to find balance (actually it's hard at any age 😅) 7y

Lmstraubie @Libby1 @Smangela It is so hard when you hit that point in a book where you just NEED to know what happens!!! 7y

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch I can remember when my boys were younger and having to "yell" at them to stop reading and go to bed! A good and bad problem to have. ? 7y

Amie It is if you're neglecting other things in your life. I was the kind of kid who was always in my room reading but I never neglected my homework or anything. As an adult I might neglect things like housework because I'm reading but nothing really important 😁 7y

Mdargusch Yes. It is a good and bad problem @Lmstraubie. I have had many evenings when my husband gets home from work and I have a few pages left. I cannot ignore him, so I struggle to wait to finish the book. It‘s so hard. I think learning balance is important @Smangela @lauren.lerner and @Libby1 7y

Dolly Unfortunately, yes for me. I‘ve put on several pounds this past year. Hitting the 5000 steps goal is pretty much impossible if I do a serious amount of reading. ☹️ this coming year I must focus on balance. (edited) 7y

Lmstraubie @Dolly It is so easy to get absorbed in a book! I know one thing I've tried to do is more audiobooks which let me enjoy a story and movement at the same time. 7y

Peddler410 I would love to curl up in the couch all winter long with my books. However, balance is important just like everything else. I do find myself in some social situations wishing to be back in my book. Large group gatherings are not my thing. 🙂 7y

Peddler410 My daughter: “Yes, you will know when you read too much when you start sprouting tree branches and you have worms crawling out of your ears! 🤪 7y

Smangela @Peddler410 😂😂😂 your daughter sounds awesome 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 I know how you feel. There are many times I would rather socialize with my books instead of people. I will also heed your daughter's advise!! 😅 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #2 #mgbuddyread

RadicalReader @Lmstraubie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, Sideway Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar 7y

Mdargusch No. I‘m not one to reread books. However, when I was his age I read Little House and Mrs. Pigglewiggle books over and over. 7y

Smangela Harry Potter series, the BFG, Matilda... I would read books over again too. I normally have to reread a series every time a new book comes out. @Mdargusch I adored Mrs. PiggleWiggle! 7y

See All 9 Comments

Lmstraubie @RadicalReader @Mdargusch @Smangela Such great choices! I'm not big on rereading because there is so much I want to read!!! However I've read the Harry Potter series multiple times because I just love getting lost in that world. 7y

Mdargusch That‘s my reason too @Lmstraubie - too many books and not enough time! 7y

Mdargusch Obviously the familiarity of those Books gave him comfort when he needed it. 7y

Peddler410 @Lmstraubie I have read the Harry Potter series at least 4 times! Others have been favorites I‘m now read to my daughter. There are some seasonal ones I revisit — Halloween Tree by Bradbury and A Christmas Carol. 7y

Peddler410 My daughter: “Yes! That book is Thea Stilton Big Trouble in the Big 🍎. I also have some graphic novels — HiLo the Great Big Boom, Mighty Jack books 1&2. I also love all the Zita the Space Girl graphic novels.” 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 I have to say I really miss reading to my boys (now 19 & 15). I actually read to my older son through middle school, but alas no more. I guess that's another reason I love my job so much. I have the undivided attention of 345 students to share the books I love! 😁 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Question #1 #mgbuddyread

SilversReviews I read to escape. :) 7y

RadicalReader @Lmstraubie I was bitten by the reading roach and haven‘t wanted a cure 😂 7y

Mdargusch I think I read partially as an escape but also to experience new things and to learn about the world. 7y

See All 16 Comments

Andrew65 To relax, escapism and love of a good story (so I guess this one would be for entertainment). 7y

Smangela Escapism sure, but to learn and experience different lives and situations and cultures, and for plain old entertainment 😍 7y

Lmstraubie @SilversReviews @RadicalReader @Mdargusch @Andrew65 @Smangela All fantastic reasons for reading! I read to escape, to learn and simply because it brings me such wonderful pleasure. 😊 7y

Andrew65 @Lmstraubie How did I forget to learn! 😳 7y

Amie I read mainly to escape but I also enjoy learning new things from what I read. 7y

Smangela @Andrew65 no worries ☺️ if you like to read we assume you like to learn 😜 7y

Gissy Various purposes: I read to relax, escape but also to learn. Depend on the type of book and mood ☺️ 7y

Dolly Mostly I read to learn 7y

Lmstraubie @Andrew65 Because it's just a given!!! 7y

Peddler410 I discovered reading as pleasure in 5th grade after I broke my leg. Being in a cast spring and summer was quite a bummer until I started reading Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume and Ronald Dahl. I‘ve been a reader ever since! 7y

Peddler410 My daughter: “I feel like reading gives you more detail than television.” 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 Did I ever mention I think your daughter is AWESOME?!?!?! 7y

Peddler410 @Lmstraubie Thanks! We think she‘s pretty awesome too! 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Good morning Littens! It's time for our #mgbuddyread discussion! Questions will be posted over the next hour or so. Join in when you can. Please remember to tag anyone you are responding to so the see your message. Let the discussion begin!📚😁

Peddler410 Sorry to be chiming in so late. We had a funeral this morning/afternoon. 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 So sorry about your loss. 😔 Please know you are welcome to join in at any time. 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Getting ready for tomorrow's #mgbuddyread discussion 📚😁

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Mdargusch

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

pick

I‘m not an expert on MG books, but I thought this one was excellent! And it‘s all about kids that love to read, their favorite books, and overcoming stigmas. I loved that the author including a list at the end of all the books that were mentioned. #mgbuddyread

Lmstraubie

LibrarianRyan When Andrew puts pen to paper he rarely goes wrong. If you have not read No Talking. It's my fav.

No Talking

Reviewsbylola That sounds like a great book! You should donate it to your granddaughters‘ bookshelf. 7y

emilyhaldi Glad you liked this one!! 7y

See All 7 Comments

Mdargusch I could definitely read more of Clement‘s books since this one was so good @LibrarianRyan 👍🏼 7y

minkyb He was a favorite of my daughter‘s when she was younger. All the more impressive as she was a reluctant reader. 7y

kspenmoll Love his books; we use them often with students for extra reading help. ❤️ 7y

Lmstraubie I'm really looking forward to our discussion tomorrow! Another one I LOVE by him is

Frindle

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Snuggling in for some cozy reading time and getting ready for Saturday's #mgbuddyread

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Our next three #mgbuddyread selections. Join in the fun! This month we will be discussing the tagged title on the morning of December 30th. Questions are posted and you join in when you can. Please repost with #mgbuddyread to spread the word!

DivaDiane I would love to join this buddy read! My son is pretty much reading Middle Grade Books (he‘s 8), so I think this would be great. How are the books chosen? 7y

Lmstraubie @DivaDiane I'm an elementary school librarian so some of the titles were books I added to our collection. Others were recommended by the Littens who participate. We'd love to have you join us! 7y

Lacythebookworm I‘m planning to reread a Wrinkle in Time next year! I‘ll have to plan to read it in February. 😊 7y

DivaDiane @Lmstraubie very cool! I think I‘ll skip January, but I‘ve been wanting to read A Wrinkle in Time with my son, so we‘ll plan on that for February. Thanks! 7y

Lmstraubie @DivaDiane @Lacythebookworm Yay! 🙆 We look forward to you joining us 😁 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

One week from today! Join us for this month's #mgbuddyread. Questions will be posted in the morning. Join in when you can! Please repost with #mgbuddyread to spread the word ☺️📚

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Smangela

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Finishing up this month‘s #mgbuddyread - I‘ve liked this one a lot! Probably right up there with Welcome to Wonderland.

Still time to join us - discussion posted by @Lmstraubie on Dec 30th!

Mdargusch I‘m still working on this one! 7y

Lmstraubie Thanks for sharing! 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Looking for a fun, short read during this crazy time if year? Join us for the next #mgbuddyread! We will be discussing this book on Saturday, December 30th. Questions are posted and you join in when you can. Please repost with #mgbuddyread to spread the word!!
#teachersoflitsy #librariansoflitsy #raisingreaders

Peddler410 I am SO EXCITED to talk about this one! I read it with my eight year old daughter as her bedtime story. It was so hard not to read ahead. 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 I'm looking forward to it too! It should be a great conversation. Please share the questions with your daughter also. I'd love to hear her thoughts. ☺️ 7y

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Peddler410

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Love. This. Book. Another #huggable one for me and my daughter. More of my thoughts on this after the #mgbuddyread at the end of the month. I‘m going to go nuts waiting to discuss! 😬

Lmstraubie Hang in there!! 😁 7y

Peddler410 I am! But I have been talking about the book to everyone who stops long enough to actually hear my response to their “How are you?” 😊 7y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 That's awesome! 😅 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Thanks to @Smangela @amie @merelybookish @Peddler410 @MrsGreen and @Mdargusch for joining in the November #mgbuddyread discussion. Next up for December - The Losers Club by Andrew Clements (author of Frindle). Mark your calendars - our discussion will be on Saturday, December 30th. Won't you join us?! #teachersoflitsy #librariansoflitsy #raisingreaders

MrsGreen Nice! I just labeled this one for my elementary library today! 7y

Peddler410 I own this — now I need to find where I shelved it 😕 7y

Lmstraubie @MrsGreen @Peddler410 Yay 🙆 7y

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Lmstraubie

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

Up next for our #mgbuddyread - The Losers Club! Please repost and tag me to spread the word. 🙂

youngreadrshelf When do you discuss? 7y

Lmstraubie @youngreadrshelf We usually discussion on a Saturday morning, but with the Thanksgiving holiday I moved it to Sunday morning this month. I post questions in the morning and you just add your thoughts (tagging anyone who already posted if it's a response) when you can. Hope can join us! 7y

youngreadrshelf @Lmstraubie so different book every week for middle grade? Sounds like a great way to get new books in my classroom. 7y

Lmstraubie @youngreadrshelf I wish we did every week, but right now it's once a month. 🙃 7y

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Peddler410

The Losers Club | Andrew Clements

I'm so excited for this new book by Andrew Clements -- author of Frindle.
Alec can't put down a good book and it's getting him in trouble at school. In an effort to hold on to SOME reading time, Alec starts "The Losers Club" intending to be the only member. Who wants to be part of a club named losers, right? Alec is in for some surprises! A book about an element school book club? I can't wait! And yes, it's in my cart ?

Lmstraubie I want to add this as one of #mgbuddyread books!!! I was just waiting for it to be out a little longer. 7y

Peddler410 Awesome! @Lmstraubie I will hold off on reading it until #mgbuddyread 🙂 7y

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