Discussion Questions Book Review
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Book Review Discussion Questions HH Provided by Focus on the Family magazine Table of Contents Hacker . 3 Hoot . 22 The Hadley Academy for the Improbably Horrible Harry Moves Up to Third Grade . 22 Gifted . 3 The Horse and His Boy . 22 The Hallelujah Lass . 3 Horse Gentler in Training . 23 Halo . 4 Hot . 23 The Hammer of Thor . 4 Hour of the Olympics . 24 Hand of Fate . 5 The House on the Cliff . 24 Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates . 5 The House with a Clock in Its Walls . 25 Happenstance Found . 5 How to Talk to Girls Happy Birthday, Mrs . Piggle-Wiggle . 6 at Parties . 25 Hard Luck . 7 Howl’s Moving Castle . 25 Harriet Tubman . 7 HowlSage . 26 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . 7 The Hundred Dresses . 26 Hatchet . 8 The Hunger Games . 26 The Hate U Give . 8 Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire . 27 Hattie Ever After . 9 Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow . 28 Hattie Big Sky . 9 Hush, Hush . 29 The Hazel Wood . 10 A Heart Full of Hope . 10 Heart of Courage . 10 Heartless . 11 HEAT . 11 Heir . 11 Heir of Fire . 12 Hello Universe . 12 Henry and Mudge: The First Book . 13 Henry and Ribsy . 13 Henry and the Clubhouse . 14 Henry and the Paper Route . 14 Henry Huggins . 14 Here Be Monsters . 15 Here, There Be Dragons . 15 The Hero of Ages . 16 Hi! Fly Guy . 16 The Hidden Deep . 16 The Hidden Oracle . 17 The Hidden Staircase . 17 The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet . 18 The Hiding Place . 18 Higher Power of Lucky . 18 Hiroshima . 19 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy . 19 The Hobbit, or There and Back Again . 20 Holes . 20 Hollow City . 20 The Home-Run King . 21 Homeless Bird . 21 Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children . A book’s inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family . You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected] . DISCUSSION TOPICS Hacker can you cling in the midst of played out in your life or your suffering? world? This science fic- tion novel by Ted 3 . Define “roots,” or the type of peo- Dekker is part ple upon which Reapers prey? of the “Outlaw The Hadley Academy Why are positive influencers dan- Chronicles” series gerous to The Reaper King? Who published by for the Improbably would you describe as a real-life Worthy Publishing, “root,” a leader who stands out a trademark of Gifted and inspires others to change the This dystopian, Worthy Media Inc. Hacker is written world? for adults. adventure, science fiction book by 4 . In what way does The Reaper Search for a review of this book Conor Grennan King win the war? What happens for parents at pluggedin.com/ is published by after this to indicate good will book-reviews. Tommy Nelson, an still triumph over evil? When has imprint of Thomas the bad in your life appeared to If your children have read this book, Nelson, a regis- have beaten the good? What hap- consider talking about the story tered trademark of pened in the end? using these discussion questions: HarperCollins Christian Publishing 1 . According to Austin (through Inc. The Hadley Academy for the 5 . What role does teamwork play most of the novel), what makes a Improbably Gifted is written for kids in this story? What would have ages 10 and up. happened to Jack if not for his person alive? What does he dis- cover about the importance of faithful companions? When have Search for a review of this book the mind versus the heart? How you seen the value of teamwork for parents at pluggedin.com/ might you let your mind be used in your life? book-reviews. by God? How might you allow your heart to be directed by If your children have read this book, Him? consider talking about the story The Hallelujah Lass 2 . What does deditio mean, and using these discussion questions: This juvenile fic- why is it critical for Austin? 1 . Why does Hadley put such an tion book in the When have you desperately tried emphasis on self-sacrifice when “Daughters of the to think yourself out of a prob- training its recruits? What does Faith” series by lem rather than letting go and self-sacrifice mean? How do Wendy Lawton trusting in God’s power? self-sacrificial people triumph is published by over evil? What are some situa- Moody Publishers. 3 . What does Nyah initially feel tions today or in history where The Hallelujah about God after losing her fam- someone’s sacrifice has saved Lass is written for ily members in a car wreck? many other lives? kids ages 8 to 12. What does her mother tell her about death and eternity? Do you 2 . According to the Hadley lead- Search for a review of this book believe this? Explain . ers, why do some people remain for parents at pluggedin.com/ Dormants? Why must a per- book-reviews. 4 . Why does God allow people to son be willing to be “different” in suffer, according to this book? order to do great things? In what If your children have read this book, Do you agree with this explana- ways have you seen this principle consider talking about the story tion? Explain . To what promises using these discussion questions: The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness . Search for a review of this book for parents at PluggedIn .com/book-reviews . 3 1 . How does Eliza’s understanding Halo Search for a review of this book of salvation change? for parents at pluggedin.com/ This contempo- book-reviews. 2 . Katie boldly stands up for Christ rary fantasy novel by Alexandra despite the retaliation of her If your children have read this book, Adornetto is the husband, Jimmy Docker . What consider talking about the story first in the “Halo would give her that kind of using these discussion questions: courage? Trilogy” and is pub- lished by Atom 1 . Why does Magnus’ Uncle 3 . Read 1 Peter 3:1-2 and see if in the United Randolph go along with Loki’s you can account for the change Kingdom and by Feiwel & Friends, a plan? How does Magnus react to in Jimmy . Eliza’s mother loves division of Macmillan, in the United this betrayal by his uncle? How what she calls a fiery faith . What States. Halo is written for ages 12 does Magnus demonstrate grace do you think that means? Is that and up. and forgiveness? Have you ever kind of faith superior to other felt hurt or betrayed by someone kinds? What other kinds are Search for a review of this book close to you? How did you react? there, and how might they be for parents at pluggedin.com/ How can you show God’s grace used just as effectively? How book-reviews. to the person who hurt you? would you describe your faith? If your children have read this book, 2 . How does Alex describe gen- 4 . Eliza’s mother encourages her consider talking about the story der-fluidity? How do her parents daughter to finish the linens for using these discussion questions: and peers at school treat her as a result of her gender-fluidity? her bottom drawer . What did 1 . How did you feel about the What does the Bible say about that represent in her culture? Do author’s portrayal of angels? God’s design for gender and sex- you think she ever finished? What did you like? What didn’t uality? How can we love people you like? What does the Bible say 5 . Think about the wonderful well even if we disagree with about angels? (See Psalm 103:20, women who mentor Eliza in her them or they are different than Matthew 13:41, Hebrews 1:14 .) young faith—her mother, Sister us? Reynolds, Beck and Annie . What 2 . Bethany chose to stay at Molly’s 3 . What is the plan that Magnus does Eliza learn from each one? party, thinking she could speak and his friends come up with to to her friend, than make a quick 6 . How easy would it have been defeat Loki? Do you agree with exit . Was she able to stick to her for Eliza to turn her head away the choices they make? What plan? Have you ever thought you from the social ills around her? does the Bible say about using could control a situation, only Is there anything you have a bur- deception and violence? Could to find yourself in trouble? If so, den for that you have not fully they have done anything dif- what did you do? What should responded to yet? ferently or were their methods Bethany have done? justified, since the world could 7 . Relationships are important have ended if they failed? to girls and women . How do Eliza and Beck model godly 4 . How are the various gods friendship? Do you have any The Hammer of Thor depicted in this story (includ- friendships like that? Have you This fantasy, ing Allah and the Norse deities)? ever prayed to God for a friend? adventure, para- What impact do the choices of normal book by these gods have on the other 8 . The more Eliza digs into her Rick Riordan characters? How is our God dif- faith and focuses on service, the is second in the ferent than these gods? What more her priorities and interests “Magnus Chase does it mean to have a God change .