Thanks to everyone who came out on Friday afternoon for our December book club! It was a refreshing study break as we faced that final week of projects and exams. We had a lively discussion on Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things. Topics covered included:
Multiculturalism - Alvin's family is Chinese-American, but that is just one non-mainstream aspect of this story. Others included the respectful and feisty portrayal of girls as non-stereotypical playmates and grandfathers as sewing wizards; Alvin's close-knit, intergenerational family; and an emphasis on the many distinct details that define communities (from feng shui to Concord, Massachusetts).
Emotional/Social Needs - Alvin's selective mutism manifests in situations where he is most uncomfortable, namely school and when he's scared. We discussed the portrayal of his social and emotional anxieties. Though Alvin often appears to adults to be shy and unresponsive, his rich inner dialog shows otherwise. Alvin really is Firecracker Man, but sometimes it's difficult for him to show it.
Using this book with kids - We decided that third grade would be an appropriate time to use this book for a kids book club. Activities could include having participants work with a partner to create a Book of _________ as Flea does for Alvin, any number of non-verbal group games (like ordering by birthday without speaking to one another), and having participants share a time when they were scared. We also discussed read-alikes, though books featuring a solo boy protagonist for this age group seem to be few and far between. Know a good title or series? Share your read-alikes in the comments!
Multiculturalism - Alvin's family is Chinese-American, but that is just one non-mainstream aspect of this story. Others included the respectful and feisty portrayal of girls as non-stereotypical playmates and grandfathers as sewing wizards; Alvin's close-knit, intergenerational family; and an emphasis on the many distinct details that define communities (from feng shui to Concord, Massachusetts).
Emotional/Social Needs - Alvin's selective mutism manifests in situations where he is most uncomfortable, namely school and when he's scared. We discussed the portrayal of his social and emotional anxieties. Though Alvin often appears to adults to be shy and unresponsive, his rich inner dialog shows otherwise. Alvin really is Firecracker Man, but sometimes it's difficult for him to show it.
Using this book with kids - We decided that third grade would be an appropriate time to use this book for a kids book club. Activities could include having participants work with a partner to create a Book of _________ as Flea does for Alvin, any number of non-verbal group games (like ordering by birthday without speaking to one another), and having participants share a time when they were scared. We also discussed read-alikes, though books featuring a solo boy protagonist for this age group seem to be few and far between. Know a good title or series? Share your read-alikes in the comments!