Book Review Discussion Questions RR Provided by ThrivingFamily.com Table of Contents R My Name is Rachel . 3 Race for Freedom . 3 Raiders from the Sea . 4 The Raider’s Promise . 4 Ramona and Her Father . 4 Ramona and Her Mother . 5 Ramona Forever . 5 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 . 6 Ramona the Brave . 6 Ramona the Pest . 7 Ramona’s World . 7 Ransom’s Mark: A Story Based on the Life of the Pioneer Olive Oatman . 8 Reached . 8 The Red Pyramid . 9 Redwall . 9 Remarkable . 10 Replication: The Jason Experiment . 10 Requiem . 10 The Reveal . 11 Revolution . 11 Rilla of Ingleside . 11 Revolutionary War on Wednesday . 12 The Ring of Rocamadour . 12 Roadside Assistance . 12 Robopocalypse . 13 Rock Harbor Search and Rescue . 13 Rodrick Rules . 14 Roland Wright Future Knight . 14 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry . 14 Romeo and Juliet . 15 The Ruins of Gorlan . 15 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 R My Name is Rachel were in need? What would make you reluctant to ask for help from This historical some people? juvenile fiction Race for Freedom This historical fic- by Patricia Reilly 5 . The apostle Paul wrote in Giff is published tion novel by Lois Philippians 3:13-14: “But one Walfrid Johnson is by Wendy Lamb thing I do: Forgetting what is Books, an imprint the second in the behind and straining toward “Freedom Seekers” of Random House what is ahead, I press on toward Children’s Books. series published by the goal to win the prize for Moody Publishers, R My Name is which God has called me heav- Rachel is written for ages 9 and up. River North enward in Christ Jesus ”. How Division. This does this compare to the advice Search for a review of this book book is written for kids ages 9 to 16. Pop and Mr . Appleby give Rachel for parents at pluggedin.com/ when they only tell her to “look book-reviews. Search for a review of this book forward” as a means of giving her for parents at pluggedin.com/ hope for the future? From where If your children have read this book, book-reviews. does our hope come? In whom consider talking about the story can we best place our trust? using these discussion questions: If your children have read this book, consider talking about the story 1 . How does Rachel feel when she 6 . While Rachel’s father is away, she using these discussion questions: learns she has to leave the fami- finds and reads a letter he had ly’s apartment in the city? What started to Miss Mitzi . Later she 1 . What are some historical facts or is most devastating to her? What shows it to Miss Mitzi . Why is places you learned about in this does she come to love about the doing this wrong? What should story? What was the most inter- farmhouse? What events shape she have done? esting to you? this change in her attitude? 7 . Rachel breaks into the closed 2 . What does Caleb mean when 2 . How well do you think you’d do schoolhouse and “borrows” a few he tells Libby her pa has a good if you were left on your own for a books to read, but later returns name? What does it take to have long time? How might you take them . Is it really “borrowing” a good name? How can you live care of younger siblings if you when someone takes some- so that you can be thought of had money? How might you take thing without asking the owner? having a good name? What did Rachel really do? What care of them if you didn’t have 3 . What does Pa tell Libby about should she have done? money? courage? Where does it come 3 . How do the drawings Rachel sees 8 . An ongoing sibling rivalry exists from? In what areas of your life in the house, barn and on rocks between Rachel and Cassie . They do you need to be more coura- encourage her? Why did Anton generally manage to make things geous? What do you need to do draw them? What kinds of pic- right with each other, though to be more courageous in these tures inspire you? some mean thoughts and words areas? occur . How do you and your sib- 4 . Why do Libby’s feelings of friend- 4 . Why does Rachel believe she lings treat each other? How can ship for Elsa change? Who have can’t ask for help? Who does you keep from competing with you been jealous of? How has help her? What would have hap- each other? How can you treat jealousy hurt you or someone pened if Mrs . Freeman hadn’t each other with respect if you you know? helped Rachel? Is Cassie right to disagree with each other? ask Miss Mitzi for help? Whom might you ask for help if you 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 5 . Think about Jordan, Elsa and 3 . Discuss how easy it is to think Even though God forgave him, Libby . How do people treat each that you are alone or that no one what does he need to do from of them differently based on their is watching . What kinds of things those he has wronged? race or wealth? How are people can you do to remind yourself of from different races and social God’s presence? 3 . When Brother Cronan forgives classes looked upon in our soci- him on behalf of the Irish peo- ety today? How does God feel 4 . The O’Toole family makes prepa- ple, how does Mikkel feel? Have about people of different skin col- rations for the Viking attack . you ever felt that type of forgive- ors or social classes? They had to think ahead about ness? How does Mikkel want to what might happen . How can make things right? How does Christians be spiritually prepared he plan to undo the evil he has for an attack from the Enemy? done? What have you ever been forgiven for? Is there anything in Raiders from the Sea 5 . What types of preparations can This first histori- your life for which you need to you do to make sure that you are cal fiction book in make restitution? ready? the “Viking Quest” 4 . What have Aiden and Mam series by Lois O’Toole been praying for since Walfrid Johnson Mikkel raided their country- is published by side? How can you trust that God Moody Publishers. The Raider’s Promise This historical fic- knows His plans for you? Are Raiders From the tion book is the you willing to submit your life to Sea is written for fifth in the “Viking Him even when things do not go kids ages 10 to 14. Quest” series your way? Search for a review of this book by Lois Walfrid 5 . How difficult is it for Bree’s par- for parents at pluggedin.com/ Johnson and is pub- ents to pray for the man who has book-reviews. lished by Moody Publishers. The caused the hurt in their family? Are you willing to pray for your If your children have read this book, Raider’s Promise is enemies? Are you willing to trust consider talking about the story written for kids ages 10 to 14. that God is in control even when using these discussion questions: Search for a review of this book you do not see a happy ending 1 . Raiders from the Sea gives a for parents at pluggedin.com/ today? wonderful example of how the book-reviews. choices of one person affect oth- ers . Mikkel’s desire for fortune If your children have read this book, is greater than his empathy for consider talking about the story Ramona and Her others . Several times in the story, using these discussion questions: Bree makes a remark about miss- Father 1 . Mikkel has found a new free- ing her home and her family . This humor- dom in his walk with God . Why These comments seem to take ous book is not does Mikkel want a new begin- Mikkel by surprise, as if it never in a series but is ning with Bree? What does he do occurred to him that his prisoner the fourth book to prove this to her? How does had a life and family . Discuss in a collection Bree react? How do you react how your decisions affect others . of eight that fea- when someone you know is try- ture Ramona 2 . Another theme throughout the ing to change for the good? Why Quimby as the book is that God is always with is it difficult to change your views main character. you, regardless of your situation . about those you know who say Written by Beverly Cleary, the If God were a physical being and they have changed? What can Ramona Collection is published you truly believed He was with you do to help instead of hinder by HarperTrophy, which is an people in their Christian growth? imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. you day and night, how might you act differently? Ramona and Her Father is written 2 .