HVE Book Club

Shine! Book Club Questions (From Brightly! Site)

https://www.readbrightly.com/brightlys-book-club-kids-shine/

Discussion Questions

How would you describe Piper’s personality? How about Ainsley’s and Tim’s?

Piper’s teacher asks her who she wants to be. Who does she want to be and how does this change throughout the story?

Apply this to your own life. Who do you want to be right now?

Do you think Piper did the right thing when she gave back the money that she and Hannah found at the mall? What would you do?

What do you think about Piper’s other acts of kindness? Would you do the same things that Piper did? If not, what would you do instead?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it for you to get good grades and excel in school, sports, and/or the arts? How does this make you feel?

What do you think the Excelsior Award was trying to teach the students about the definition of excellence? How do you define success and excellence? How about your parents and your community?

Depending on the culture and area in the world, people see the moon’s shadow as something different. It makes Piper realize that a lot of things look different depending on your point of view. Can you think of an example in your life or an issue in the world where this applies?

Why does Piper get mad at Tim about the science fair? Has this ever happened in your own life?

Piper says her dad is like her North Star — do you have someone in your life that is that for you?

Why is this book called Shine!? What do you think the message of this book is?

Activities to Dive Deeper into Shine!

A Capella Music: Piper’s dad leads an a capella music group. Listen to the different a capella groups listed below. Notice what you like and/or dislike. After you’ve listened to each group, vote to decide which is your favorite.

Random Acts of Kindness: Piper helps the incognito judges with their unfortunate accidents and other crises. Brainstorm a list of at least 10 ways to show kindness to others. Pick one random act of kindness you will do this week.

Community Service: Influenced by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, Piper and her classmates help clean up the highway so there still will be spring and birds in the world, and then organize a Chumley Prep Social Awareness Club. Pick one of these sustainability activities to do with your book club.

Constellations: Piper says that the “Big Mama Bear is always showing the whole world how to, no pun intended, find its bearings.” Study the North Star, also called Polaris, then replicate it on your own piece of paper with stickers. Download this free constellation book, and then use gold stickers to make your own constellation.

Galaxy Cookies: Make and decorate star cookies either during your book club or before so you can eat them while you have the discussion.

Journal Writing: Answer the prompt that Piper’s teacher asked, “Who do you want to be?” Free write for 10 minutes with as many details as you can provide to answer this question. If you’re comfortable, share with the group.

Famous Quotes: Piper loves quotes from famous scientists, real and fictional. For example, Carl Sagan is quoted as saying, “Science confers power on anyone who learns it.” Also, Piper’s favorite (fictionalized) scientist Nellie DuMont Frisse says, “You are not the center of this or any other known universe” and “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Look through these inspirational quotes from scientists on Brainy Quote and find one that you like. Share it with the group and tell them why you like it.