Here are a few questions to get you thinking about what you want to discuss at the next meeting.
Sham was born with two special marks, one foretold speed and one foretold bad fortune. Were these marks appropriate for Sham?
Do you think this book will make you think twice about judgments based on appearance?
Of all the places Sham and Agba traveled to, which destination appealed to you the most and why?
Do you think this novel being based on actual events helps add credibility?
Some of Sham’s owners were unkind to him? Is treating animals cruelly ok?
This book is a realistic fiction based on a real horse. How would you have written the story of the Goldophin Arabian?
Do you think the fact that Agba couldn’t talk made him closer to Sham?
Agba does everything in his power to protect Sham and take care of him. Why do you think he was so loyal to Sham?
Again, these are just a few questions to get you thinking. I'll see you on August 12, 2011 at 3:00 pm.
Gloria
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Book Blurb: King of the Wind
About the Book
“King of the Wind,” by Marguerite Henry is an enjoyable Newberry Award Medal book by the master of horse stories. It tells the story of the Godolphin Arabian, that mysterious horse whose name is now found in the pedigrees of almost every superior Thoroughbred Horse alive.
The two main characters are Sham, the horse that would later become The Godolphin Arabian; and Agba, the horse’s loyal friend and groom. From the deserts of Morocco to Europe, “King of the Wind” takes the reader on a fantastic journey full of hardship and misfortune, but glorious in the end. Despite cruel owners and masters Sham and Agba persevere with the help of each other. Overall, “King of the Wind” is a tale like “Black Beauty,” though in this case the horse has a loyal friend who sticks with him to the very end.
Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Soon afterwards, she also discovered a love for writing when her parents presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. Henry later said, "At last I had a world of my very own -- a writing world, and soon it would be populated by all the creatures of my imagination."
“King of the Wind,” by Marguerite Henry is an enjoyable Newberry Award Medal book by the master of horse stories. It tells the story of the Godolphin Arabian, that mysterious horse whose name is now found in the pedigrees of almost every superior Thoroughbred Horse alive.
The two main characters are Sham, the horse that would later become The Godolphin Arabian; and Agba, the horse’s loyal friend and groom. From the deserts of Morocco to Europe, “King of the Wind” takes the reader on a fantastic journey full of hardship and misfortune, but glorious in the end. Despite cruel owners and masters Sham and Agba persevere with the help of each other. Overall, “King of the Wind” is a tale like “Black Beauty,” though in this case the horse has a loyal friend who sticks with him to the very end.The story has a well-researched feel, full of historical details that breathe life into the tale. Marguerite Henry skillfully weaves the story in a way that sticks to the facts while entertaining his reader at the same time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good horse story.
About the Author
Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Soon afterwards, she also discovered a love for writing when her parents presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. Henry later said, "At last I had a world of my very own -- a writing world, and soon it would be populated by all the creatures of my imagination." Henry sold her first story at the age of 11. She often wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
She studied at Milwaukee State Teachers College.On May 5, 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite’’s stories. They lived inWayne, Illinois.In 1945, Henry began a twenty-year collaboration with artist Wesley Dennis. She recalled " I had just finished writing Justin Morgan Had a Horse, and wanted the best horse artist in the world to illustrate it. So I went to the library, studied the horse books, and immediately fell in love with the work of Will James and Wesley Dennis. When I found out that Will James was dead, I sent my manuscript to Wesley Dennis." Henry and Dennis eventually published 15 books together. In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon——were made into movies. She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
Taken from http://www.wikipedia.com/
Monday, July 11, 2011
Our Meeting for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
We had a great meeting last week. We had the same number of people, but some of the girls were new and some of the girls who had been here before were on vacation so they weren't able to make it. The snacks we had were really good. Panda Express provided some wonderful ragoons with sweet and sour sauce. They were really nice and gave us a great deal and threw in some fortune cookies. I love fortune cookies.
There was a word scramble with words from the book for everyone to do as they came in. We went over the answers then started to discuss the book. We talked about what makes a real friend and how to be one. We decided that being nice to someone, sharing with them and not judging them all make real friends. Minli was a real friend to Dragon when she asked the Man on the Moon Dragon's question instead of her own. We discussed a couple of other things, but overall our discussion was a bit shorter than usual. It worked out though, because we had three books instead of two to choose from. They were
Black Beauty Set in Victorian London, the novel follows the shifting fortunes of a horse as he moves from owner to owner. Narrated by the noble Black Beauty himself, the tale offers an animal’s perspective of the world, and highlights the thoughtless, even cruel treatment animals endured during that period.
King of the Wind, Sham and the stable boy Agba travel from Morocco to France to England where, at last, Sham's majesty is recognized and he becomes the "Goldolphin Arabian" ancestor of the most superior Thoroughbred horses.
Meet Felicity is an American Girl book. The first in the Felicity series, this book is about a horse that has a cruel owner and a young girl's desire to save him.
The almost unanimous vote was for King of the Wind. I'm really exicited about this book. It's a really good book and a fun read.
The next meeting is on August 12, 2011 at 3:00 pm in Community Room A.
I hope to see you there!
There was a word scramble with words from the book for everyone to do as they came in. We went over the answers then started to discuss the book. We talked about what makes a real friend and how to be one. We decided that being nice to someone, sharing with them and not judging them all make real friends. Minli was a real friend to Dragon when she asked the Man on the Moon Dragon's question instead of her own. We discussed a couple of other things, but overall our discussion was a bit shorter than usual. It worked out though, because we had three books instead of two to choose from. They were
Black Beauty Set in Victorian London, the novel follows the shifting fortunes of a horse as he moves from owner to owner. Narrated by the noble Black Beauty himself, the tale offers an animal’s perspective of the world, and highlights the thoughtless, even cruel treatment animals endured during that period.
King of the Wind, Sham and the stable boy Agba travel from Morocco to France to England where, at last, Sham's majesty is recognized and he becomes the "Goldolphin Arabian" ancestor of the most superior Thoroughbred horses.
Meet Felicity is an American Girl book. The first in the Felicity series, this book is about a horse that has a cruel owner and a young girl's desire to save him.
The almost unanimous vote was for King of the Wind. I'm really exicited about this book. It's a really good book and a fun read.
The next meeting is on August 12, 2011 at 3:00 pm in Community Room A.
I hope to see you there!
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