Book Club - A Place to Hang the Moon
It’s 1940, and three orphaned siblings are evacuated from London to live in the countryside with the secret hope of finding a family, not an easy task during a war. It’s an incredible story. Join us.
Carol Burns PhD, ACE Educator
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(278)
Star Educator
What's included
5 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, and their grandmother dies… the grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. The children need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go-- keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs. But at least they find comfort in the village lending library-- a cozy shelter from the harshness of everyday life, filled with favorite stories and the quiet company of Nora Müller, the kind librarian. The children wonder if Nora could be the family they've been searching for. . . . But the shadow of the war, and the unknown whereaouts of Nora's German husband complicate matters. A Place to Hang the Moon is a story about the importance of family: the one you're given, and the one you choose. Filled with rich, sensory prose, allusions to classic children's stories like A Little Princess, Mary Poppins, and The Story of Ferdinand, this cozy tale with a classic feel is sure to warm your heart. Join us for this once weekly, 5 week book club as we read and discuss this moving story, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. In this multi-day class, we will meet once weekly for 5 weeks to discuss our reading. During class time, full participation in class discussion is expected. There is grace for a shy student, of course, but students will be encouraged to dive into the discussion as they acclimate to the group. Each student will have a turn to share their thoughts and ideas. I will have questions and discussion prompts ready each week, should conversation lag. After our discussion time, we will end with a game if time permits! My book clubs are typically highly engaging, highly interactive, very lively! This book has 21 chapters, which will be assigned to be read ahead of time, before class. The book is also available as an audiobook! All of class time will be dedicated to discussing the books, applying critical thinking, discussing characters, plot, and other literary aspects, designing a book cover, and ending with a fun game, all related to the book. Snacks are always welcome! Please read chapters BEFORE class! 1/3 - Chapters 1-5 1/10 - Chapters 6-10 1/17 - Chapters 11-15 1/24 - Chapters 16-20 1/31 - Chapter 21 and overall Book Discussion
Learning Goals
Students will gain skills in the following areas:
- public speaking
- interacting with opposing opinions
- practicing active listening
- sharing thoughts and insights
- building vocabulary
- exploring the characters, settings, and plot
Other Details
Parental Guidance
World War II, Hitler, and the Holocaust are heavy topics to cover. These topics are integrated throughout this book, although it is fictional. It can affect readers of any age. I highly encourage parents to read the book with their student, OR at the very least talk with them about the book throughout their reading. It’s a difficult time in history for any of us to process.
This class is NOT a history class, it is a book club. During class discussion, we will be focusing on the main characters, and their experience. While the book is definitely realistic and sad, it I also beautiful and inspiring.
Supply List
Supply List Students will need a copy of the book A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. Students can use their own books, library books, ebooks, or even listen to the audio books. If listening to the audiobooks, it is highly recommended that student reads independently to develop their own reading comprehension and competency.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2020
4.8
278reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from Clarks Summit University
Ms. Carol has been a voracious reader since childhood. Her lifelong passion is to cultivate curiosity in children, and to inspire a lifelong love of learning, especially the reading and enjoyment of beautiful literature!
Ms. Carol has a PhD in pedagogy and history, with a Master’s in Cultural Studies. One of my core values is to teach the true and accurate version of history I was not taught as a child. Racism or racial stereotypes is never acceptable to me, and neither is a white-washed version of history.Reviews
Live Group Class
$75
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
40 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-6 learners per class
