The Warriors by Joseph Bruchac

One of the best lacrosse players on his Iroquois reservation team, Jake is conflicted when his mother relocates him to a boarding school. Jake is praised for his athletic abilities, but feels like an outcast until he resolves a school crisis with a special game of lacrosse.

Discussion starters:

Do you think Jake should have said something to the coach about his comments about Indians?

If you were Jake, would you have run away to the reservation?

Did you like this book?

Thunder from the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow

Harsh weather brings an orphan boy, Tom, and a stranded dog, Thunder, together on the island of Newfoundland. They struggle to find a family despite a blizzard, a tidal wave, and worst of all, Thunder’s former owner.

Discussion starters:

Have you ever rescued an animal?
If yes, tell us about it. If no, what kind of animal would you like to rescue?

Macaroni Boy by Katherine Ayres

Living in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, Mike investigates the cause of the sickness that is affecting so many in his community, including his own grandfather. To learn the truth he must enlist the help of the neighborhood bully who nicknames Mike “Macaroni Boy.”

Discussion starters:

Why did you think Grandpa was getting sick?

What would you have done about Andy Simms?

Did you think Mike was sneaky? What would you have done?

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpugo

While sailing in the Pacific Ocean, eleven–year-old Michael falls overboard and ends up stranded on a nearly deserted island. He is befriended by an old Japanese man, the island’s other inhabitant, in this exciting tale of friendship and survival.

Discussion starters:

If you were Michael and were on the island, how would you have reacted to the man screaming at you?

Do you think Michael did the right thing putting the note in the bottle?

Would you have stayed on the island? Why or why not?

Would you have liked to meet Kensuke?

Half and Half by Lensey Namioka

Fiona Cheng knows who she is, but her mixed heritage (Chinese and Scottish) can never be explained with just one word. Supported by her family, she demonstrates that her two halves add up to a perfect whole.

Discussion starters:

How would you identify your race if you were Fiona? Why?

If you only had one choice, would you rather do Scottish dancing or go to your father's speech?

If you were Fiona, would you be offended if people thought of you as just Chinese?

Why is it richer to be identified with more than one ethnic group?

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech

Mix a little bit of wisdom, a ton of love, and a pinch of friendship. That’s how Granny Torrelli and twelve-year-old Rosie cook a delicious soup that proves life tastes good.

Discussion starters:

How would being blind affect your friendship?

Would you have been jealous of Violetta for liking Bailey?

Gifts from the Sea by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Quila receives an unexpected surprise when the sea washes a baby up on the shore outside her family’s Maine lighthouse.

Discussion starters:

Would you want to be freinds with Quila? Why or why not?

Was Quila brave, stubborn, responsible, or irresponsible? How would you describe her character?

Was this book predictable or were there surprises?

Would you want to change places with Quila?

Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler

Darryl, video game whiz, is drawn into a high-tech program where kids compete to be the best video gamers. However, Darryl discovers the ultimate prize may be winning his survival and that of his friends.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter

Can an average boy, an ornery old baseball star, and one last game save Tom’s small, California town from destruction by a developer?

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Naomi and her brother are being raised by their great-grandmother in a trailer park. When her mother reappears after a seven year absence, Naomi struggles to keep her family together and discover her Mexican heritage.

Discussion starters:

How would you feel if your mother left you and then reappeared after all this time?

What was your impression of Naomi Leon's father?

Do you thinki Naomi was brave? Would you be as brave?