Clementine

ClementineWritten By: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated By: Marla Frazee

Clementine is having not so good of a week.

*On Monday she’s sent to the principal’s office for cutting off Margaret’s hair.
*Tuesday, Margaret’s mother is mad at her.
*Wednesday, she’s sent to the principal…again.
*Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.
*Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.
*And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.

Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week!

Summary is from the book cover, written by Hyperion Books.

Clementine is one of my favorite characters!  I love that she always has the best intentions and that she is always thinking of others.  Her explanations of what is really paying attention to when everyone else thinks she isn’t paying attention at all are something I think every kid (and adult) can relate to.  This series keeps getting better with every book and is definitely a must read!

Discussion/Project Ideas:
1.  One of the things Clementine notices in the book is how different her mother is from Margaret’s mother.  At one point she tries to picture her mom in a dress and goes from thinking that would be neat to thinking that would be funny because a dress doesn’t match her mother’s job as an artist.  Looking at her father, can you pretend he has to do his job as the manager of the building wearing a suit?  How would that change the way he does repairs and maintenance?

2.  When you are young, there are so many things you can become when you grow up.  When you are older, it is more difficult to change to a completely different job.  Choose a profession you would like to have as an adult.  Describe what that job would take: high school diploma, college, special training, wardrobe requirements, etc.  Then choose a profession that is completely different and describe what you would have to do to change over to that job.  Would you have to  go back to school?  Would you have to buy all new clothes?  Would you have to move to another city, state, or country?  Remember in your plan for change, you must still be able to “pay the bills,” so part of what you must describe is how you will make money during the change.  Good luck!

3.  All characters have flaws, just like people.  One of Clementine’s is that she has a hard time paying attention to others when something heavy is weighing on her mind.  Even though she is thinking about important things, she must keep trying to find a way to pay attention to what is right in front of her as well.  Write a letter to Clementine giving her some advice on how to pay attention to what’s happening in that “moment” while not forgetting what she wants to pay attention to when her time is all hers!  For a challenge, choose one of your own flaws and write a letter to yourself with advice on how to try to work on making it better.

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