4-6th Grade Book Discussion - In-person

Book Discussion & STEM Activity

Join us for a 4-6th grade book discussion, followed by a fun STEM activity.

Join us for a 4-6th grade book discussion, followed by a fun STEM activity. This month we will be discussing Playing the Cards You're Dealt by Varian Johnson.  Electronic audiobook copies are available for digital download via the Libby App or Hoopla and physical copies can be reserved and picked up at your local library. 

The discussion will be followed by a fun STEM activity.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What is this book about? What are the main themes? 
2. Ant has big shoes to fill. All the men in his family have won the town’s annual card tournament and now it is Ant’s turn. What expectations are being made of Ant and how does he deal with the pressure? 
3. When Ant’s best friend must drop out of the tournament, Ant needs a new partner. Why is Ant hesitant to ask Shirley to be his partner in the tournament?  
4. “Ant couldn’t help but notice how it was ‘just a joke’ when Jamal said stuff, but Shirley was a ‘dumb girl’ when she did the same” (p. 56). What is a double standard and how does this make Ant and Shirley feel? 
5. When Shirley agrees to be Ant’s partner, her mom says that she can’t take part in any “smack talk.” What does this mean and why do you think Shirley’s mom makes this rule? 
6. Ant’s dad asks him to keep a secret from his mom and brother. How did this make Ant feel? Why do you think Ant was conflicted about telling on his dad? 
7. After Ant’s dad is kicked out of the house, Ant finds out that this isn’t the first time his dad has had problems.  
8. Are there any characters in this book you can relate to? Who and why?  
9. Ant lives by the motto “you gotta know when to hold’em and when to fold'em.” What do you think this means?  
10. What do you think about the books ending? Would you say it is a happy ending? A sad ending? An unfinished story?  

Looking for more fun things to do at MCPL?

Looking for something new to read? You can checkout electronic books right from our website!

Hoopla    OverDrive for Kids    Kanopy Kids 

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Accommodation Requests

Please place your request for English-language captioning or sign language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program you plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

GEN 1.0 10/27/2021

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