B&B -- The Graveyard Book Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 7/6/09 (2 - 3pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, H.B., G.B., N.C., C.E., J.G., M.M., W.M.

1. Did you read the book?
- No.
- I got a couple chapters in...
- Yes!
- No.
- I didn't know what the book was...

2. Did you like the book?
- I didn't read it...
- It was too weird.
- It was slow.
- Yes! I loved it!
- Coraline was better.

3. This book won this year's Newbery Medal. Did it deserve it, do you think?
- No. I didn't like it.
- I guess?
- Yes!

4. Do you like Newbery Medal Winners?
- Yes.
- Somewhat. It depends.
- They're boring.
- I liked The Giver.
- The Giver was really good.
- I liked that one about the girl who saves her Jewish friend in World War II...
- Number the Stars?
- Yeah, that one! I loved that book!

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
- Yes. My mom saw one once.
- I have to see proof to believe in something, so no.
- Of course.
- I think so.

5. Are you afraid of graveyards?
- Yes, when I got lost in one.
- No...not when it's daytime.
- No one's afraid of graveyards in daylight. When it's dark, you start thinking about all the dead people in the ground, and how they could reach up and grab you and stuff.
- I love graveyards. I used to have one in my backyard. I could think there.
- I've gone to a lot of funerals.

6. Are you fascinated by true crime stories? Or do they turn your stomach?
- I don't like the murder part -- I like shows about how they figure everything out after. I want to be forensic scientist.
- Yes. It's interesting to see how sick people can get.
- If it's really gory, not so much.
- It makes me feel like L from Death Note. It makes you think.

And two questions we didn't get to:

7. What do you think about the idea of revenge being a "dish best served cold"?

8. Bod's tale is one of many orphan stories. What other orphan stories can you think of? Why do you think orphan stories are so popular?