Water+for+Elephants

**__Water for Elephants - By Sara Gruen__** Melissa Matalon, Michelle Jeffery, Stella Kovoros, Jessica Cotugno

First Book Club Meeting (11/21)

 * Group Name: **Water for Stellicashelissa (our names combined) :)**
 * For this meeting, we already read through Chapter 2. - Melissa brought in food.
 * Through Chapter 10 for 11/28 - Stella will bring in food.
 * Through Chapter 18 for 12/5 - Michelle will bring in food.
 * Through Chapter 25 for 12/12 (Finish) - Jessie will bring in food.
 * Predictions and Expectations
 * Our group chose this book, because it was recommended to us from various sources. It got rave reviews on good reads, and we heard good comments on it from our teachers, friends, and family. It seemed like a book filled with symbolism and significance.
 * We hope that //Water for Elephants// will contain a deeper meaning in life, especially one that we can discuss in our reading group.
 * Exposition (Page 1 and a little beyond)
 * The author seems to mention a topic and explain it more later on. In fact, we can tell from what we read that the entire book is a ninety-year-old man's flashback of his years working in a traveling circus. The book actually starts off in one of these flashbacks (in the prologue).
 * This beginning definitely grabbed our attention. The fact that it starts at one of the most exciting points in the protagonist's life really made us compelled to read further to learn more about his life.
 * Later on, we believe we will get a better sense of the author's, Sara Gruen, writing style.
 * Club Protocol for Next Meeting
 * Each week, one of us will bring snacks for our group.
 * Each week, consider at least one of the following:
 * Quotes - Each group member can select his/her favorite passage or quote from the reading to serve as the basis for the discussion.
 * Movie Casting - If you were to make a movie out of this memoir, who would you cast and why?
 * General Discussion Question - Each group member can write down a thought-provoking question based on that week's reading.
 * Personal Connection - Each group member can make a personal connection to the story or characters in some way with an event or person in their own life.
 * Text-to-Text Connection - If you see a connection with another book you read or film you've seen, you can discuss this with your group.
 * Any other way that shows an understanding of the content that we read!

Second Book Club Meeting (11/28)

 * Melissa's Thoughts
 * She thinks it is shaping up into a really great book, and even read ahead. She feels a new sympathy for the elderly, and sees that they all have exciting stories from their past. Currently, the older generation lived through so much, from the Great Depression to the Holocaust. It reminds her of the GlamourGals club at our school, in which students go to nursing homes and put makeup on and chat with residents.
 * Jessie's Thoughts
 * She thinks the book has a kind of slow beginning, but it has a good storyline. She is looking forward to reading farther ahead to see what happens.
 * Michelle's Thoughts
 * She feels that the book is very descriptive and has started out with a great storyline. She is excited to see how the elephant plays a role farther into the story, because it has just been introduced at the end of our reading. She likes how the author utilizes great detail.
 * Stella's Thoughts
 * She believes that there is a lot of detail explaining each aspect of the story, but was a little confused in the beginning with the flashbacks. She thinks that there will be a lot of foreshadowing throughout the story.
 * PLAN FOR NEXT WEEK (12/5)
 * Michelle will bring in food next week.
 * Read through Chapter 18.
 * Each member of the book club will bring with them something that shows their understanding of the reading. (See Club Protocol under First Book Club Meeting)

Third Book Club Meeting (12/5)

 * ======Melissa's Thoughts======
 * She really loves the book so far, and believes that it is definitely not like anything she has ever read. The characters are so intricately described, which cannot be found in every book. For example, on page 244, August seems to be having some sort of breakdown and is changing his emotions rapidly. This really shows his emotional disorder that plays a huge role in the story. Melissa can't wait to finish the story to see how everything works out.
 * Jessie's Thoughts
 * There are many twists and turns in the book that interest me. Marlena and August's relationship is interesting and keeps me reading. Marlena and Jacob's relationship is propelling (vocab. word!). I can't wait to see who she chooses. I love the book so far.
 * Michelle's Thoughts
 * I really love this book so far. The plot keeps me in suspense the entire time, and I can't stop reading it. The part when Jacob figured out the Rosie understood Polish was probably my favorite part so far. I am really looking forward to finding out what happens at the end!
 * Stella's Thoughts
 * This book has a very creative storyline which makes it even more enjoyable. Gruen does not fail to describe in great detail what is going on at all times that the scenes are jut playing in my head. For example, on page 71, The train's every movement and noise is described in great detail.
 * PLAN FOR NEXT WEEK (12/12)
 * Jessie will bring in food next week.
 * Read through the end. (Finish)
 * Each member of the book club will bring with them something that shows their understanding of the reading. (See Club Protocol under First Book Club Meeting)

Last Meeting!! (12/12)

 * Melissa's Thoughts:
 * I can't believe we have already finished reading! This book was so absolutely unique, and so different from anything I have ever read. I loved Gruen's portrayal of human behavior; she was so detailed in her explanations of each character. The romance and the suspense made me compelled to continue reading, even when I probably should have put it down. However, the best aspect of this book was probably the ending. In a way, Sara Gruen ended the story right where it began, by putting the protagonist back on a circus in his old age. The last line actually states, "It's like Charlie told the cop. For the old man, this //is// home" (Gruen 331). I honestly could not think of a more perfect ending. It was just the right amount of happy and sad. //Water for Elephants// is definitely one of the best books I have ever read, and I would recommend it to anyone!
 * Jessie's Thoughts:
 * This book went so fast! it was a fantastic read and was my favorite book I ever read! This book was educational, sad, suspenseful, and the story was adorable. Jacob had a tough life with his parents dying and not having anything to fall back on. The circus was his only hope and he took so many risks for others that could have gotten him thrown out. He could have gotten down to nothing. His relationship with Marlena and the unpredictable ending were the best parts of the book in my opinion. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys love stories or adventurous stories. I was AMAZING!
 * Michelle's Thoughts:
 * //Water for Elephants// is probably one of the best books I have ever read. The suspense between Jacob and Marlena throughout the story kept me wondering if they would ever be together. The ending, when Jacob (as an old man) reenters the circus, as a ticket man, was adorable. I was happy to know that he wouldn't "suffer" in the assisted living home anymore, and he could finally be the young and adventurous man he always was :)
 * Stella's Thoughts:
 * I loved the whole story. It fit into every genre. It taught me the real 'circus' life, a love story, and a mystery. I also loved Rosie and Jacob's love for the animals he takes care of. I always prefer to read books that don't talk about average teenagers facing average every day problems. Once I opened the novel, it took to me another world that was hard to close once I started. I can't wait to see the movie!