Elementary Library

Resource & Discussion Guide

Great Wall of China by Kristine Spanier (931 SPA) In this book, early fluent readers will marvel at the Great Wall of China while learning about its history, location, uses, and architecture. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the landmark's cultural history. Discussion Prompts: ●​ What do you know about the Great Wall of China? ●​ Have you traveled to China? Do you want to? Why or why not? ●​ Why do people build walls? What are positive things about walls? What are some negative things about walls? ●​ What do you now know about the Great Wall of China?

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee (E AGE) A knight who feels secure on his side of the wall that divides his book discovers that his side is not as safe as he thought, and the other side is not as threatening.

Discussion Prompts:

●​ Who is telling this story? ●​ Why does the knight say that the wall in the middle of the book is “a good thing”? ●​ Something is happening on the knight’s side of the wall as the story goes on. What is it? ●​ What does the knight learn about the ogre at the end of the book? ●​ Why do you think the knight was afraid of the ogre and the animals on the other side of the wall? How did his feelings change once he got to know them? ●​ Did the wall end up keeping the knight safe? How do you think the knight felt about the wall at the end of the story? Mid-Autumn Festival by Ailynn Collins (394.26 COL) The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday celebrated in Chinese culture. Also called the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, this celebration is all about appreciating the moon and the harvest. Although the date of the festival changes each year, it always falls around the time of the harvest moon. From family gatherings to paper lanterns to eating mooncakes, different Asian countries have different celebrations. Learn how people honor this special day in countries and cultures around the world. Discussion Prompts: ●​ Do any of you celebrate mid-autumn festival? What are your favorite traditions? ●​ If you don’t celebrate mid-autumn festival, how is this holiday the same or different from a holiday you do celebrate? ●​ Do you celebrate a holiday with special food? What food is it? Do you like it? T he Shadow in the Moon: A Tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival by Christina Matula (E MAT) Two young sisters celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, admire their mooncakes decorated with a picture of a lady in the moon, and listen to their Ah-ma tell the ancient tale of how the holiday began. 86