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What makes this book unique? This book is very unique because it's about LeBron James and his highschool lifestyle and basketball career moving into the NBA. Lebron James overall is very unique because he is one of if not the best basketball player of all time. This book talks about how he went straight from highschool to the NBA and how he didnt go to college. When he was in highschool and growing up he knew he would be something big and he knew he would be a star and he was that good so he went straight to the NBA.

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I have read a lot of books that face the character with extreme trauma and they all overcome it in their own ways of adversity. In some books, it’s simply by trying something new like in “Mockingbird” but in some it can be lots more complex and often become violent like in “Long Way Down”. This book is straight in the middle. The narrator feels strong emotions as anyone would if a sibling would happen to pass, but handles it a little differently, she wants revenge. But all that changes when she goes and finds her killer. Weirdly enough, even through all that’s been happening, she starts to bond with him. Kind of confusing…

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In my opinion this book does state a believable story.  Being sexually assaulted can happen to anyone whether you're young or old, Melinda so happen to be one of the victims. Melinda was left traumatized and was being ostracized by her peers because she wasn't able to speak up about the real reason she called the cops at that end of summer party. The believability does affect how I feel about the book because it's giving a scenario which could happen to anyone at any time. Along with the trauma, Melinda reaches the point where shes self harming herself and thinks about suicide, and that applies to other victims as well as they see that as an escape.

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How does the protagonist change?

The protagonist changes because in the beginning of the book she hates being a bruja. She goes far in trying a spell to rid herself of her own magic against her family's wishes and accidentally makes them disappear. During the journey of trying to get her family back and while trying to erase her mistake, she slowly starts to accept her magic. By the end of the book, Alex has accepted her magic and who she was as a bruja.

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Why is the setting important to the story? #7

The setting is important to the story because the protagonist Natasha and her family are undocumented immigrants from Jamaica, and they got found and are being deported. On her last day she decides to go around New York City, since it will be the last time she sees it before leaving. Because of this decision and the setting that she is in, how she finds Daniel and how they meet is fate. This is an example of the setting being a very big and important part of the story.

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This book is like others I read because it has the same somewhat plot of some books I read. Also, it sends the same message as some books which are about perseverance and the lie of a teenager. This book is really straightforward and while some of the plot isn't as “normal” as others, it’s the same general idea with the book and other books. I like the fact that it shows that in an interesting way.

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I think that the book is a believable story. I think so because the story had characters who for the most part seemed like they could be actual people you might find living on your street. The location seemed realistic as it took place in California. In the book some states were dealing with a tap-out which caused a lot of issues for the main character and her family. The tap-out was causing many people to become dehydrated and short tempered. Having a tap-out in a book seems like a believable story because it happens sometimes in some parts of the world and could cause the issues that were shown in the book. Because the story was believable I found the book for interesting than I might have.

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A Reading Group Guide to
Dry
By Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
About the Book
How often do we take our water supply for granted? Sometimes we're asked to conserve water, but it's hard to remember to do so when you can turn on the tap and water pours out. Until one day, it doesn't. Nobody in California expects the Tap-Out, so when the water supply cuts off, most people are not prepared. Panic ensues as stores sell out of bottled water and all other beverages. There's hope that the government will provide relief, but as the days pass and not enough help arrives, people become angrier and even savage. For Alyssa, Garrett, and Kelton, separated from their respective parents and attempting to leave town toward safety, this anger puts their lives in danger. The unwelcome addition of Jacqui and Henry complicates the journey to Kelton's family's bug-out location in the woods. How will they find the strength to survive?
Discussion Questions
1. Why is the Tap-Out situation first ignored by the media? What kind of news does the media tend to report? When the national news does start to report on the Tap-Out, how do they cover it? Why is the tone of the coverage important to the residents affected by the event? Do you think that the media calling the drought a "flow crisis" affects the public's level of preparedness? Why does Kelton think newscasters continue to tell residents to remain calm? What is the alternative? What are the risks to both sides?

2. Alyssa notes the time of the water shut-off "like they do in the emergency room: 1:32 p.m., June 4th." What has occurred when emergency room workers note the time like this? How is that situation similar to what Alyssa is facing?

3. The Shustermans alternate between four different narrators-Alyssa, Kelton, Jacqui, and Henry-and brief "snapshots" that focus on other people. Why do you think they chose to use this format? What do the different voices add to your understanding of the story? What do the snapshots add to the overall narrative of the book? Which characters or snapshots did you find most compelling?

4. According to Kelton's dad, what are the three types of people in the world? Do you agree with his analysis? How do you think he would classify Alyssa, Garrett, Jacqui, and Henry? When the neighbors come into the night to look at the McCrackens' lights, Kelton says, "'And I'm scared to the bone, because right now I can't tell if I'm looking into the eyes of sheep, or wolves.'" Which do they end up being? Why do you think people are acting this way?

5. Why are the water-zombies such a threat? Were you surprised to see such rapid moral and physical decline in a community without water? What does this say about human nature and civilization? How might the spread of water-zombies transform society? Explain your answers. How would you have handled the water-zombies? Do you think they're beyond help? Do you think once water access was restored, water-zombies could return to the lives they led before the Tap-Out?

6. Uncle Basil goes to Daphne's house so that he won't be a burden on Alyssa's family. Why would Uncle Basil think of himself as a burden? Does his absence end up helping his family? What does Uncle Basil contribute toward Alyssa's survival? How do you think the story might have changed if Uncle Basil had stayed?

7. Describe Kelton's upbringing, including his family's efforts to protect themselves. How did the neighborhood, particularly Alyssa's family, view Kelton's family before the Tap-Out? Are you surprised by any of Kelton's behaviors or beliefs? Think about comments such as "winning the affection of a girl is a lot like shooting a deer" and "girls love a guy with lots of pockets." Do you think his upbringing impacted his social instincts? Is he the kind of person you'd want with you during a Tap-Out? Explain your answer.

8. Explain why Kelton's dad doesn't think his family should share their supplies with their neighbors, and describe other characters' reactions. Do you believe in this "either you share nothing or you share everything" mentality? What are the consequences of both actions? Why do some characters change their minds about sharing resources?

9. When Alyssa and Garrett set out with Kelton to find their parents, she's surprised to see that her neighborhood looks the same, noting that "the wreckage is more internal." At what point does the damage from the Tap-Out begin to reflect on the outside world? How does the level of visible wreckage relate to the breakdown of polite society? Are there other sorts of internal wreckage shown in this story? Do you think you would have been more afraid of the internal or external impact? Which factors would you have let guide your actions?

10. Garrett and Alyssa have very different reactions to the scene on the beach. Would you have continued walking on the beach to find out what happened? What other clues might you have found? Why do you think the authors made the object in the water ambiguous, rather than saying that it was a body?

11. When Kelton draws his gun on Dalton, he is unable to pull the trigger. With all his survivalist training, why do you think he's unable to kill Dalton? Do you think he would have been able to shoot the marauders who overran his house? What is the difference between the confrontation with Dalton and the situation with Benji and Kyle? Why do you think the outcome is so different later in the story? How has Kelton changed between the two events?

12. What does the "call of the void" mean to Jacqui? How does her familiarity with risk help or hinder her as she tries to survive the Tap-Out? Does her attitude toward the call of the void change during the course of the story?

13. Why does Jacqui decide against going back to the house where she is squatting after witnessing the scene at the beach? Do you agree that her chances of survival are better with people rather than hiding from them? Think about the state of the beach when Garrett and Alyssa arrived, and the evidence that something terrible had occurred there. Did Jacqui's description of her beach experience match what you thought had happened based on Garrett and Alyssa's observations? What made Jacqui realize it was going to turn into a riot? What would you have done in the situation? What could have been done to prevent the situation?

14. It is difficult for the different members of this group to trust one another. What alliances form as they move toward the bug-out? How do the different characters lose or gain the confidence of others? In the end, who do you think proves themselves worthy of that trust? How might outcomes have changed if someone had shown more or less trust toward the others?

15. What is Kelton's dad trying to avoid with his end-of-the-world prepping? Is he able to achieve his goal of protecting his family? Do you think Kelton's ability to see his father as human is a consequence of the situation at hand or of shifting perceptions on Kelton's part?

16. Are you surprised that Jacqui leaves the antibiotics for Uncle Basil and Daphne? What does it say about who Jacqui really is? Do you think she would have done this at the beginning of the story? Explain your answer.

17. Why do the others allow Henry to travel with them? Are there points at which they could have gotten what they needed without him? Why do you think no one thought to look inside the packaging to make sure Henry was really carrying a full case of water? Why is it so much easier for Alyssa to trust him than it is for her to trust Jacqui or even Kelton?

18. As the group travels down the aqueduct, Kelton says, "'It feels to me like the world has torn in two, and we're traveling the seam of that tear. The chasm between what was, and what will be.'" Do you think the world has torn in two? Explain your answer. Why do you think Kelton feels this way? Why is an aqueduct such an appropriate place to act as the seam between the old world and the new? Can you think of a time in your life where you've faced a big transition? If so, can you relate to Kelton's statement? How would your feelings have impacted your actions if you were in Kelton's situation?

19. Why does Brady leave home? Do these reasons have anything to do with his family's inability to reach him after the Tap-Out? How does his death change the way that Kelton reacts to the events around him? In what way do Brady's actions endanger his family as well as himself?

20. What allows the Water Angel's group to work together without turning on one another or falling prey to outside dangers? How much of this has to do with Charity's personality? What keeps the group from staying on the highway with Charity? Can you come up with other places that water can be found where others may not have thought to look?

21. Why was Kelton's drone spying on Alyssa inappropriate and unacceptable? Do you think Kelton now understands the seriousness of his actions?

22. As Alyssa steals water to save Garrett, Jacqui says, "'I won't take [the water]. Because even though I've seen everyone around me lose their humanity today, I realize that in this moment, I have finally found mine.'" What evidence does she have that everyone else has lost their humanity? What has caused her to find hers? Think about how Alyssa said she would never become a monster, yet she's taken water from an old woman to save her brother. Would you do the same to save yourself or someone you love?

23. Do you think Alyssa would have been able to shoot Garrett, Kelton, and herself? Would this have been an act of bravery or of cowardice? Have you or anyone you know ever faced an impossible decision? If so, how was it handled? Did you come to a solution? What did you learn about yourself or your values?

24. Why does Henry take credit for saving people from a burning building? How does this relate to his actions throughout the story? Do you think he views the Tap-Out as a tragedy or an opportunity? Often characters grow throughout a novel, while others fall or simply don't change at all. Which kind of character is Henry? When you learn his age at the end of the book, does it change your opinion of him? Explain your answer.
Extension Activities
1. The citizens of California had made some halfhearted efforts to conserve water, but they were not enough to prevent the chaos of a shutdown. What is your community doing to conserve this precious natural resource? Research what water-saving ordinances exist in your town, and if there is a plan for providing water during a drought. If there is not, talk to local leaders about your concerns or draft a letter urging them to create some.

2. Individuals and families can also help conserve water in their own homes and yards. What efforts have you made toward conservation? Come up with a plan for your household that will allow you to save a gallon of water per day. When you have mastered these techniques, see if you can decrease your water usage even further.

3. The scarcity of natural resources made it prohibitively difficult for Alyssa and the others to share with their neighbors. Help prevent this sort of situation by collecting non-perishable food and beverages for a local food pantry. Get your classmates or neighbors involved in the cause.

4. Kelton and his family had prepared both their home and their bug-out for survival in case of a crisis like the Tap-Out. What would be in your survival kit? Decide what you would need to carry with you in case of an emergency, and gather the items together in a sturdy bag or backpack. Keep it on hand in case anything happens. What items should everyone have in an emergency kit?

5. There are a number of skills that Alyssa and the others find handy during their journey, including first aid, martial arts, and map reading. Choose one of these skills that you don't currently possess, and learn more about it. Take lessons or visit your local library for books and videos on the topics.

6. The group has to navigate mountains, forests, and river beds to reach safety. Using google earth or satellite map pictures, plot out the actual path they took from South Orange County to the Angeles National Forest. What would you have found most challenging? Most thrilling?

7. Though the desalination machines do not end up producing any potable water, you can learn to make your own simple desalination machine or water purifier. Find an article, book, or YouTube video to help you build your own lifesaving device. Then research where desalination is currently being used. Are there any plants in the US? Are there plants that were being built, but were never finished? Write a letter advocating for additional plants to be built or any partial construction to be completed, and research who best to send it to.

8. Dehydration is not the only risk during a disaster of this size. What other illnesses can take hold during a catastrophe? How do we safeguard against this? What might happen if an illness spreads as quickly as the packs of water-zombies? Research natural disasters and plagues throughout history to trace the diagnoses, evolution, consequences, treatment, and efforts for future prevention. What important lessons were learned? What kinds of technology do we have today that might help us to better fight the spread of contagious diseases?
Guide written by Cory Grimminck, Director of the Portland District Library in Michigan.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

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Get a FREE e-book by joining our mailing list today! Plus, receive recommendations for your next Book Club read. A Reading Group Guide to Dry By Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman About the Book How often do we take our water supply for granted?

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It is important for teens to read this book because it shows a unique point of view about a boy and his family going through World War 2. The book shows you the injustices that Asian people went through and how unfairly they were treated. The book is from one of the sons point of view flashing back and forth from him being an adult to being a young child. It's very eye opening seeing it from the young boy's point of view, everything that happens to him he understands it in a different way. For example, the barbed wire around the prison camps he was living at were seen by him as protection from “dinosaurs” that the other children said were out in the woods.

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Who is the protagonist and what qualities do they have?

The protagonist of the book Swagger by Carl Deuker is Jonas. Jonas is a senior in high school who plays basketball for varsity. Jonas is good at following his, and only his dream. I believe this because in the text we learn that the father of Jonas never went to college and went straight into working at a pavement company. Jonas’s father wanted Jonas to follow the same lifestyle and go to college. However, Jonas did not want to throw away the rest of his life in working at his dad's company, so he pursued what he loved; basketball. Jonas shows hard work and dedication as he grinded to get a scholarship from a division 2 school in colorado. His persistence changed the way his dad saw life. Jonas’s dad now supports the thought of going to college for basketball. Jonas will have to use his persistence skills to overcome his weakness; schoolwork.

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Although I have not read that much in my book, my favorite scene is when Bri is in the ring for the battle. It is my favorite scene because Bri really stepped out of her comfort zone and won the battle. At first,  Bri choked and forgot everything she was going to rap about, so she lost the first round. But she really stepped up and was able to beat her opponent. I think that is a really good example of self growth and overcoming fears.

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My book is set on a small island town called Sawkill. Over the years girls have mysteriously disappeared and no one has ever found a body. When Marion first moved to Sawkill, her sister Charlotte became very close with a girl named Val Mortimer. A couple weeks later, Charlotte went missing. I think that the creepy woods and the abandoned, rocky beaches in Sawkill bring a creepy and haunting feel to the story. The author makes sure the reader knows there is something horrific happening in Sawkill.

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1. What makes this book unique?

I think what makes this book unique is the fact that it talks about Tradition, and brings awareness to Cystic Fibrosis which is a sickness that I have never heard of before until I read this book. This book talks about celebrating The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos (a Mexican holiday in which you celebrate the lives of those who have passed). Catrina or Cat is the older sister of Maya. Maya has Cystic Fibrosis, and her whole family moved to Northern Carolina  so that she can benefit from the cool air that blows in. As both girls explore their new home, they soon realize that there are ghosts in their town (Bahía de la Luna). Maya really wants to meet one, but Cat hates them with a passion.

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Ghosts: A Graphic Novel [Telgemeier, Raina, Telgemeier, Raina] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Ghosts: A Graphic Novel

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My book is called if i stay by Gayle Forman, the first question I will be answering is question seven, why the setting is important to the story. This story's setting is unique in the sense that this story is told from the first person perspective of Mia, a 17 year old girl who has to deal with the aftermath of a devastating car accident. Right after the accident happens she wakes up to see both her parents dead and her brother missing, she sees herself laying on the ground, unconscious. She soon realizes she is having an out of body experience, she can move like a regular human touch walls, open doors, but what she does doesn’t affect the real world, and no one can see or hear her. The story flips between two different writing styles, one being her and her experiences in the current day and the past, relating to someone or something she sees. The setting in this story is crucial to the story because the setting in this is actually quite unique, she is not in the real world, she is by herself, in this sort of in between, she can see people, but they can’t see her. The setting for this story would be hard to explain because you could say she is in the hospital for most of the novel but you could also say she is in the in-between world since no one can see or hear her although she can hear and see everyone around her.

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1. What makes this book unique?

This book is unique because it does not linger. Most of the books I have read (although there isn't many) usually always linger on one subject like the setting for more than one chapter. This book Devils Within by S.F Henson is very fast paced. You will be talking about tea one minute then murder the next. Personally I think books like these are far more enjoyable than slow paced books.

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9. What is your favorite scene in the book and why?

I’m not that far into the book yet, but as of right now my favorite scene is the ring rap battle. I found the way she wrote that part of the story really interesting, and it was sort of like she was adding in poems to the book. I liked the lyrics and I could really hear in my mind how they would sound out loud. I think it’s cool that she wrote the story and the raps, since they were both so well written.

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1. What makes this book unique?

This book is unique because of its story since it's a horror story and it adds more suspense than other books. You could be thinking that it can just be like any other horror stories but it's unique because of its timeline and it shows how this whole story was being created. It's also unique because the characters have many personalities and different backstories. For example, for the auntie she is a witch that can turn into a doll. One last example of why this story is unique is because of the way they describe the house since they describe it like a ruined house with parts missing and very old surrounded by a forest.

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What positive and negative qualities of the protagonist make the character believable? In Plain Secrets, the author documents his experience with a very conservative sect of Amish people called the Swartzentrubers. He makes it clear that either deifying or demonizing this group of people is not fair. Some people may see the Amish as backwards, and some may see them as idyllic, but the truth is that they are just people: communal and kind while still being flawed and in disagreement with not only the "English," but also each other.

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My book Splash! 10,000 years of swimming is a very unique book.  It's about the history of swimming and how the art has evolved over time.  From ancient artifacts and cave painting depicting people swimming and even ancient rules and laws that use swimming as a form of judgement.  This book goes through the intricate theories of how our bodies evolved to be able to survive in water.  From evolution evidence is shown that swimming was crucial  to survival and adaptation.  This book really puts into perspective just how important swimming was to the ancient people as a pastime or for survival.  But not only were swimming depicted in mythology.  In the book the author Howard Means goes through the way that swimming and water in general were key parts in some of mythology's greatest stories.  IN maybe one of the most famous adventure books, Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus has to endure many trials at sea at the hands of Poseidon on his journey to reclaim his throne.  The Aspect of swimming and water in general is shown in religious texts such as the Bible.  Isaiah 25: 10-11 “The Moabites shall be trodden down in their place as straw iis trodden down in the dung pit.  Though they spread out their hands in the midst of it, as swimmers spread out their hands to swim, their pride will be laid low despite the struggle of their hands.”  In conclusion this book goes over intricate examples of how swimming has evolved from using filled livers or logs to float to full on swimming.