ComÂpeÂtiÂtion is a part of young peoÂple’s lives: art, sports, music, dance, sciÂence, cup-stackÂing … many chilÂdren spend a good part of their day pracÂticÂing, learnÂing, and strivÂing to do their best. Giant PumpÂkin Suite is about two types of comÂpeÂtiÂtions, a Bach CelÂlo Suites ComÂpeÂtiÂtion and a giant pumpÂkin growÂing comÂpeÂtiÂtion. Rose and Thomas BrutiÂgan are twelve-year-old twins … but their perÂsonÂalÂiÂties and interÂests are quite difÂferÂent. It’s a book set withÂin a neighÂborÂhood that pulls togethÂer when a seriÂous acciÂdent changes the traÂjecÂtoÂry of their sumÂmer. We meet so many interÂestÂing peoÂple, chilÂdren and adults, in this book. It’s full of hold-your-breath plot turns.
The book is writÂten at a levÂel for 5th to 8th grade readÂers (and adults) and it has many ties to popÂuÂlar culÂture, mathÂeÂmatÂics, garÂdenÂing, and the nature of comÂpeÂtiÂtion. It’s an excelÂlent choice for a book club discussion.
In each BookÂstormâ„¢, we offer a bibÂliÂogÂraÂphy of books that have close ties to the the feaÂtured book. You’ll find books, artiÂcles, webÂsites, and videos for a variÂety of tastes and interests.
Downloadables
You’ll find more inforÂmaÂtion about Melanie HeuisÂer Hill on her webÂsite.
BOOKSTORM TOPICS
Johann SebasÂtÂian Bach. Rose BrutiÂgan focusÂes on an upcomÂing Bach Suites ComÂpeÂtiÂtion by pracÂticÂing … a lot. Who was Bach and why is his music still with us 260 years after his death? Resources include books and videos of our best celÂlists playÂing the Bach CelÂlo Suites.
The CelÂlo. More about the instruÂment Rose plays, with a numÂber of videos you can share with your class or book club.
CharÂlotÂte’s Web. This book is a favorite of Rose and her neighÂbor Jane. CharÂlotÂte’s Web proÂvides a major turnÂing point in Giant PumpÂkin Suite. Learn more about the book and its author, E.B. White.
Giant PumpÂkins. Thomas and his neighÂbors work togethÂer to grow a giant pumpÂkin. Today, these pumpÂkins (not grown for eatÂing) can way over 2,000 pounds — more than one ton. Books, videos, and artiÂcles share stoÂries and how-tos for growÂing giant pumpÂkins competitively.
JapanÂese Tea CerÂeÂmoÂny. Mrs. Kiyo shares this beauÂtiÂful cerÂeÂmoÂny with Rose. The BookÂstorm sugÂgests a video for your stuÂdents to watch.
MathÂeÂmatÂics and Bach. Are you aware that Bach used math and physics when creÂatÂing his comÂpoÂsiÂtions? Your stuÂdents can delve into this fasÂciÂnatÂing aspect of the composer!
Movie MusiÂcals. The music from musiÂcals of the 1940s and 1950s is very imporÂtant to Jane and Mrs. Lukashenko — they sing and tap dance at the least sugÂgesÂtion. We proÂvide three sugÂgesÂtions for watchÂing these movies.
Music ComÂpeÂtiÂtion (FicÂtion). There are a numÂber of excelÂlent books about young peoÂple preparÂing for, and playÂing in, music competitions!
Music in MidÂdle Grade Books. And more novÂels in which music is an imporÂtant part of the plot.
NeighÂborÂhood Books. We sugÂgest books in which the peoÂple and places of a neighÂborÂhood are inteÂgral to the plot of a book. PerÂhaps you’ll find your favorites.
Tap DancÂing. Who can resist a good tap dance? AnothÂer strong plot point, we sugÂgest books and videos to share with your students.
Let us know how you are makÂing use of this BookÂstormâ„¢. Share your ideas and any othÂer books you’d add to this Bookstormâ„¢.
Love the BookÂstorm. Is this a new feaÂture or have I missed preÂviÂous ones? I would add Paul FleisÂchman’s SeedÂfolks to the neighÂborÂhood category.
Oops! I see that it’s a regÂuÂlar feaÂture with its own tab on your site. I’ll be visÂitÂing the preÂviÂous ones.
We’ve pubÂlished many BookÂstorms since BookolÂoÂgy was first pubÂlished in March of 2015. ClasÂsics, new books, ficÂtion, nonÂficÂtion, poetÂry. We hope you find them useful!