The Willoughbys
by Lois Lowry
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lois LowryEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-03-31
ISBN: 0618979743
Number of pages: 176
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Book Reviews of The Willoughbys
Book Review: Discussion Questions for a Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Great Book! Over the summer I created some discussion questions for use with upper elementary students. I love to share, so please use!
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry - Questions for Book Discussion
Glossary& Bibliography - Do Before Reading the Book!
1) Glossary - Big Words - There is a glossary of difficult words in the back of the book, hilariously defined by the author. Which is your favorite one? Write it down and be ready to share why you like the word and/or the definition. Choose a big word not in the glossary (ask a parent or use the dictionary) and write its definition in the humorous style of the book's glossary.
2) Bibliography - Books Noted in Book - There is a bibliography for the works of fiction that the author alludes to in the book. Which titles are familiar? Which books have you read? Which have you not read, but want to read? Can you think of any other books that have `orphans' as main characters?
3) Look up irony, parody, spoof, satire, mockery, wit, and tongue-in-cheek. Remember these definitions as you read the book!
Chapters 1-11:
1) What elements make up good old-fashioned stories? How was the setting, and each of the characters similar or dissimilar to the setting and characters in old-fashioned stories?
2) What was ironic about the note pinned to the baby left on the Willoughby's doorstep? List all the characteristics of the Willoughby's family that indicate they are not like the family described in the note.
3) Describe the Melanoff mansion. How is the Melanoff mansion different than the Willoughby's house? If you had to choose one porch to leave a baby on, which would you choose? Why?
4) Is Tim a good big brother or a bad big brother? Give examples of both from the text (Tim's words and actions) then defend your answer.
5) How is Jane different than the other Willoughby children? How does she try to change as the book progresses? Provide examples of these attempts.
6) Is Tim's point system fair? Why or why not? How does Nanny defuse Tim's point system? What effect does the change have on each character?
7) How is Nanny similar and dissimilar to Mary Poppins? Provide examples.
8) Explain how the parents wanting to get rid of the kids and the kids wanting to become orphans is an example of irony.
9) Who is your favorite character and why? Who is your least favorite character and why?
10) The author provides a bit of foreshadowing. Based on that foreshadowing, what are your predictions for the book's ending? Provide evidence of your predictions from the text.
Chapters 12-21
1) How did the parents describe their children to each other (Chapter 2) and to others (i.e. to Nanny in Chapter 12)? How were their descriptions accurate and how were they inaccurate? (Yes, there may be some truth to their comments!)
2) How does the author present the Swiss people when Commander Malanoff's son thinks he is speaking German and when Mr. & Mrs. Willoughby plan to scale the Alp without proper gear? Do you think the American characters in the book would respond to those two situations the same way? If not, how might they respond? Find examples in the book to support your answer.
3) When the Commander's son is sent off on his walking tour he is told that is the way old-fashioned boys become robust and mature. What other parenting ideas in the book (for any of the children) did you find that were old-fashioned?
4) A running joke throughout the book is the presentation of words like dolt and dodo to describe stupidity. Nanny eventually passes a ruling on the use of such words. What does she say? (p. 96) Do you think her ruling was good? Did it help lesson Tim's use of words of that sort? Is there a difference between telling someone he/she did something stupid and telling someone he/she is stupid? Was it appropriate for the children and Nanny in the book to use those types of words? Is it ever appropriate for you to do so?
5) Nanny says, "I have learned over the course of my many years that it is a bad idea, usually, to investigate piteous weeping but always a fine idea to look into a giggle." (p. 100). Do you think this is meant to be a funny comment like so many other lines in the book, or do you think this could have an element of truth in it? Why?
6) Nanny claims to be not at all similar to Mary Poppins. The Commander claimed to be not at all like Archibald Craven. How did each of them see themselves? What didn't each like about the book character they were being compared to? Did any of the children in the book remind you of book characters? Explain
7) When the Willoughby house sold, Nanny and the kids tried to think about what old-fashioned people would do in their situation. What do you think Tim means when he says, "I think this would be easier if we were modern children, but we are old-fashioned. So our choices are limited." (p.117)? What kind of choices might modern children have in that situation? Was the solution successfully old-fashioned?
8) What did you expect the new candy bar to be named? Why? Did the candy bar's name help or hurt the story?
9) The story ends with a happy conclusion to an old-fashioned story. Did any characters change their personalities during the book? Why and how did they change? (Did they REALLY change?) What parts of the story could have helped you predict how Tim and Jane would become? (p.156)
10) How would you describe the writing style of the book? Should this book be used in school? Why or why not? If no, what do you find offensive about the book? If yes, what lessons can be learned from the book? Your answer can focus on content, writing style, vocabulary, or other literary elements.
Summary of The Willoughbys
Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good oldfashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children?s literature.
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