It’s 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Manami and her family are Japanese American, which means that the government says they must leave their home by the sea and join other Japanese Americans at a prison camp in the desert. Ten-year-old Manami did not realize how peaceful her family’s life on Bainbridge Island was until the day it all changed. Set in the student-beloved backdrop of WWII but telling a unique story, this timely and thought-provoking novel was a perfect fit for our students. For our text, I chose the book Paper Wishes, a new novel from author Lois Sepahban. I wracked my brain trying to come up with a creative plan for them when it hit me – why am I the one doing the planning? Why not let them do it? Since fifth grade was so passionate and capable with their reading and discussion, why not let them put a book club together for younger readers?Ī book club planned and facilitated by students, for students. I also knew that they were a creative force with energy to spare. It was time for 5th grade to have a chance to meet and discuss again, and I knew that this grade had something special – a unique enthusiasm for reading and the ability to hold deep, meaningful discussions about text. After the success of our last book club, I needed a fun and creative idea to keep the momentum going.
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