Book Club Ideas: Summer in the Woods by Steven Smith

Summer of the Woods by Steven K Smith.
142 pages

Since we don't have woods by our house here in Utah, I thought I would send them on an adventure- through our neighborhood!

Our book club boys love to be sent on treasure hunts- or scavenger hunts. I set them off with a clue- and they run around the neighborhood following clues until they get to the final destination,

 that  has a treat to share.

It works great!

It gets them answering question about the book, gets them running (expending some energy) and when we get back together- they are ready to sit still, talk about the book and enjoy a snack.

The boys in this group are also 11 year old scouts. While not yet ready to work on Boy Scout Merit Badges, I thought this book introduced coins and the value of coin collections so well.

 Here is a link to BSA Coin Collection Merit Badge

I thought I would help jump start them in their own coin collections!

(A requirement they need to do- if they want to eventually earn the Coin Collection merit badge.)

I pulled out our coin jar.

This is the jar I toss any loose change- I find.

 It was like a treasure hunt- in my coin jar!

 Some of the boys were able to find a complete set. For the BSA coin collection requirement they had to pick a coin (penny, nickel, dime or quarter) and find the year they were born, and every year after.

I offered up all my pennies for this activity.

It was a fun book club.

I really enjoy being able to tie in scouting when I can.

The BSA has such a great quality program- their activities are always worth while and not "busy" work. My boys hate busy work. They like doing activities, and it is more satisfying when it "counts" for something. Are your boys the same?

My boys stop enjoying whimsical about the same time they become teenagers.

It's sad.

But I respect that they want to spend their time being productive.

Summer of the Woods by Steven Smith was a great adventure.

It would be a wonderful read-aloud as well.

Here are some examples of questions you can use in your book club discussion:

1. Derek and Sam had just moved leaving friends behind. Exploring the woods behind their new home, helped them be excited and less homesick. Have you ever moved? If so what helped you be excited about your new home? (This was great- because our neighborhood is a new housing development. All the kids in our neighborhood just moved in!)

2. What was Derek and Sam's first impression of Henry, Alex and their dog "bear"?

What can we learn about first impressions? Are they always correct?

Why do you think Derek and Sam misjudged Henry and Alex?

3. What would you do with $10,000 reward money?

(assuming your parents let you spend some of it. lol)

The Host by Stephanie Myers

This book is by the same author of the popular Twilight Series. (I read the first book of Twilight and enjoyed it- but wasn't drawn to read more or watch the movies.) I just felt it was- I don't know! I just didn't like the drama of having two men madly in love with Bella. Strange- right?

Also- when I read the first Twilight book- I was on vacation. It was a "family reunion"/ vacation.  My nieces, were all reading it. Grandma and us Aunts thought it would be fun to read the same book. So when I was reading Twilight- it was with my nieces in mind. I didn't like Bella being drawn to this "dangerous" "outsider" vampire character. I mean- I think I was in a different mind set. I was reading it with concern for my impressionable nieces... did I want them hanging out with the outcast crowd? Bella always threw herself on Edward- and left it up to HIM to resist sexual desires... did I want my nieces to think all boys will be so strong-willed? (HA! we know better than that! lol)

So I didn't like Twilight and didn't get caught up in that trend- but I think I was tainted. So when my sister recommended The Host to me- I tried to keep an open mind- and just read it for fun.

I liked The HOST so much better, but I had to laugh- of course the main character has two men madly in love with her! lol. But in this book... one guy is in love with the human, and the other guy is in love with the alien in her body... a little complicated- no?

Anyway- it was a good read. I didn't notice any swearing, no gruesome violence (like Hunger Games), mild mention to sexual attraction- but nothing that made me feel uncomfortable- that I wouldn't want my nieces to read. I really enjoyed the premise of the book and enjoyed Stephanie Myers story telling in this book. I don't think it is a series - but I wish it was!