An update from our seventh Stone Soup Book Club meeting! This week, during our 7th meeting of the Stone Soup Book Club, we were very lucky to have Adam Gidwitz, the author of The Inquisitor’s Tale come and join our discussion for a little while! We had the exciting opportunity to ask Mr. Gidwitz questions about his book, and about writing overall. We listened as he explained how he came up with the characters of Jeanne, William, and Jacob, as well as how all of the events of the story came together. We found out how Mr. Gidwitz settled on his unique style of narration in his book, what inspired him to tackle all of the subjects that he did, and we learned about the perseverance that all authors have. Our conversation was very thoughtful and meaningful, and it was a great experience all around! We did not have much time left after our discussion with Mr. Gidwitz, but we used our remaining time to talk about the ending of Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper, the book that we had been reading over the past week. In a similar fashion to Gidwitz’s The Inquisitor’s Tale, Out of My Mind talks about differences in people and about overcoming adversity in your path. It was very cool to see what connections people drew between the two stories! Finally, we chose our next book, and the book that we will read after that one! Participants: Anya, Djin, Georgia, Lena, Chloe, Joanna, Katie, Enni, Lucy, Abhi, Isabel, Chloe C., Rachel, Madeline, Kaya, Allegra, Penelope, Sophia, Ariana Our Next Book (6/3, 6/10): Lord of the Flies, by William Golding Our Second-Next Book (6/17, 6/24): The List, by Patricia Forde The Stone Soup Book Club is open to all Stone Soup contributors and subscribers, age 9-13, during the COVID-19-related school closures and shelter-in-place arrangements. We meet every Wednesday for one hour via Zoom to discuss our chosen book, and always welcome new members! Join us!
COVID-19
To the Year of 2120, a poem by Ahana Chandra, 11
Ahana Chandra, 11New York, NY To the Year of 2120 Ahana Chandra, 11 Did you know, there was once a storm, rising by the months? It teared apart the lives of dear ones, traveled across the world, and left many fighting for survival. The warriors who went out into the storm, faced the battering of exhaustion while trying to save the lives. Still, they kept on going, kept on fighting for survival. The many hungry people, lining up for food, jobs lost, on the news. They all were fighting for survival. The signs on the windows, the chalk on the streets, all indicating the blossoming hope to encourage the ones fighting for survival. The whispers of the lost echoing in one’s soul, they were sacrificed to the fighting for survival. The quiet voice of the protector, bearing the weight of protection for the beloved, feeling no one would listen to their efforts fighting for survival. The booming voice of authority, assuring the people everything would turn out alright in the fight for survival. Do you ever wonder how we emerged from the ashes? That, you see, is for the future to tell
Hope, a poem by Alyssa Wu, 13
Alyssa Wu, 13Pleasanton, CA Hope Alyssa Wu, 13 Fresh air floating on the old urban streets San Francisco is a ghost town. The flowers are blooming silently, The once filled shops sit cooped up in an empty plaza. Unprepared awaiting to be prepared Gray buildings of fear in a major metropolis Next year at this time, the sun will still be rising on The golden gate bridge, The view is still there, the viewers far less Will you celebrate the new year with me? I spread hope we wouldn’t have to be six feet seclusion We won’t wear face masks anymore let’s hug and laugh to cheer The city is full of colorful vitality
