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What I enjoyed about this novel is that it doesn’t skip forward to the author as an adult at the end of the novel. By only telling stories from her childhood, tweens reading the novel are able to relate to it more #285WLU9

@JenniferP_EN285 I completely agree! This novel’s poetry is also a great way to teach children about the history of segregation in America as well #285WLU9

I guess I might not be the best at noticing these kinds of plot twists right away, but I had no idea that Mr. Frost was just Jack in disguise. I think this is a pivotal moment for both Bod and Scarlett because they realize that not everyone they meet can be trusted #285WLU8

@ZohaHaiderEN285 @kayrasahin8 I think you’re right! And because Scarlett returns to her old home by the novel’s end, Bod has hardly any ties left to his old town, and is more eager to travel and see the world because of that #285WLU8

@kayrasahin8 Scarlett was an interesting character for sure. I expected to see more of her because her role seemed significant. I agree, I think having Scarlett be a temporary character was Gaiman’s way of demonstrating to tweens how people come and go and moving on is important. #285WLU8

I think Bod’s character is very interesting. He was so close to Scarlett, and was a bit sad when she left. However moved on very quick. Maybe this is because of him being raised in a graveyard, he is aware that nothing or anyone in his life is permanent. #285WLU8

@ZohaHaiderEN285 I completely agree! I think this novel allows tweens reading it to think about the concept of death in a less frightening way, and could lead to some interesting discussions between them and their parents #285WLU7

The Graveyard Book addresses the notion of death and similar to previous books we read, Bod is the orphaned protagonist. Although more on the eerie side, it’s fascinating how Gaiman portrayed this rather gory topic in a fun, mysterious and mostly child-friendly way. #285WLU7

I think this novel’s elements of the supernatural might have scared me as a child, but reading it now, the scariest thing to me is that Jack and the pawn shop owner were planning to kill Bod #285WLU7

@JenniferP_EN285 I think this also has to do with the fact that a lot of adults also grew up watching tv in the 70s and 80s, so they have a better understanding of it compared to newer things like social media and recent video games #285WLU6

Reading Linn’s article and reflecting on my own childhood really made me think about how much of my childhood was influenced by advertising and products. It can scary sometimes because a child isn’t always aware of this sort of marketing pandering to them on purpose #285WLU6

Although things did work out in the end for Ella and Char, I thought it was strange that he was quick to call Ella a minx and a monster after he receives the letter about her marrying another man. I understand his feelings were hurt but it seemed really out of character #285WLU5

@aminach285 I completely agree! I think despite the elements of fairy tales and Ella’s curse, I feel like she remains a character that a lot of young girls can look up to and relate to. #285WLU5

i really enjoy the fantasy elements of ella enchanted. they are cleverly placed, but not too overpowering and over the top. even with the fantasy elements, the book still seems to be easily relatable to young readers. #285WLU5

A detail about this book that I think is really interesting is that Ayortha, the place where Areida lives, is the setting of Fairest, another one of Gail Carson Levine’s novels. Sort of like an easter egg type of thing #285WLU4

@ZohaHaiderEN285 You’re absolutely right! This book really calls into question the negative effects of children being taught to always obey in a really interesting way

Ella Enchanted shows tweens the importance of making your own decisions in life. The ‘gift’ of obedience is actually a curse and it demonstrates how adults forcing children to act/behave a certain way can have a negative impact on their mental health. #285WLU4

I think that the Baudelaires having adults constantly asking them if they know the definitions of words is a subtle way the author uses to show the reader that many adults don’t take the kids seriously- another detail that highlights the unluckiness of their situation #285WLU3

@Courtney_D_Reid I couldn’t agree more! It’s a sad fact that there are people in this world who would go to similar lengths as Count Olaf to gain money #285WLU3

@SchwantzBrianna Such an awe inspiring message, especially for a young girl at the time this novel was written. Harriet isn’t necessarily a perfect character by any means, but I think Ole Golly knows that someday Harriet will grow up to be a strong, independent woman

I think this book originally being banned because librarians feared that children would try to imitate Harriet’s spying indicates that many adults assume that all children are unable to distinguish fiction from reality #285WLU2

I think that Harriet is the more assertive one in their friendship, while Sport usually just listens to what Harriet says. I believe this is subversive of traditional stereotypes for boys and girls at the time this novel was written #285WLU1

@lauryn_reibling I totally agree! Her family background definitely contrasts her tomboy personality, and I think it’s good that she has someone more down to earth like Ole Golly in her life #285WLU1