~The Society of Avid Young Readers~

Feb. 20, 2008

Chapters 3-6

We read chapters 3 and 4 yesterday. Today we are reading chapters 5 and 6. If you get behind, it should be very easy to get caught up. The chapters are short and don’t take much time to get through. I'd encourage you not to read ahead--it's been hard for me to restrain myself from going on to the next chapters! It's probably best not to have any hindsight as we do the discussions. Plus, it's good discipline (especially for me) not to race through a book as fast as I can. It's easier to digest if we take our time.

Discussion Notes

We're beginning to learn more and more about this strange community that Jonas lives in. Let's keep adding to our list of peculiarities that we notice as we read:

1. The ever-present intercom is always interjecting. It's as if people are sitting by watching and waiting for someone to break the rules.
2. The volunteer hours are carefully enforced and regulated.
3. Asher was required to throw balls because his hand-eye coordination wasn't up to standards. (I guess they REALLY pay attention to details...)
4. There's a morning ritual for telling dreams. It seems like nothing is concealed in this little society.
5. Everyone takes pills to suppress their "stirrings" (this one is especially weird!)

I also noticed that mostly everybody seems to know one another. I guess there aren't so many people in the community that they can't all recognize each other.

Now how about the "apple?" I really have no clue what it means, but I'm sure that it'll come into the story later. It seems as if the Elders were trying to hide something, though. And why didn't Asher see the "change" like Jonas did? Hmm. All questions yet to be answered as we keep reading.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have anything else to add to the list?
2. What do you think are some good things about the community?
3. How about bad things?
4. Do you have any guesses as to what Assignment Jonas will get? (I know I'm on pins and needles to find out...!)

On Friday we'll discuss chapters 7-10.

Enjoy your reading! :)
~Sylvia

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Comments

Feb. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sweetpotato

1. Lots of strange things. The families "apply" for a child--the children aren't born into the families. Jonas doesn't discuss a certain boys accomplishments with him because it might lead to bragging, which is against the "rules". From the sixth chapter, it sounds as if no two people in the community have the same name--Jonas mentions that Roberto the Old was "released", and only then was a newchild given that name.

2. The fact that they are required to do volunteer hours sounds great! Today's kids would benefit from doing something like that. Also, the community really seems to watch out for each other. When we are told of the little child Caleb, who was lost, it says "The community was extraordinarily safe, each citizen watchful and protective of all children."

3. It's so controlling. Incredibely so. Every action seems to be monitered. And the situation with Gabriel really bothers me. The thought of him being realested because he's "Inadequate" is horrible.

4. *raises hand* I know! I know! I've actually read this book before, so I won't answer this one.

I'm excited about this book. I think we'll get some really good discussions out of it.

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