Fish in a Tree

In This Kit You’ll Find:

  • 8 copies of Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
  • 2 copies of Stick & Stone by Beth Ferry
  • 2 copies of Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
  • 1 copy of the discussion questions (you may keep)
  • Book sign-up to keep track of books (you may keep)
  • Stick & Stone maze and puppet worksheets (you may keep)
Get the Kit!

Themes for Discussion:

  • Fish in a Tree: Dyslexia, personal conduct, misfits unite, living with an invisible disability, family & friendship, loneliness in children, secrets, reading, girl dynamics
  • Stick & Stone: Being a friend, loneliness, persistence, kindness, best friends
  • Chrysanthemum: Self-esteem in girls, girl dynamics, teasing, personal conduct

About the Book:

  • Fish in a Tree: Ally’s greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn’t know how to read. (Novelist)
  • Stick & Stone: Stick and Stone are both lonely until Pinecone’s teasing causes one to stick up for the other, and a solid friendship is formed. (Novelist)
  • Chrysanthemum: Mouse, Chrysanthemum, has always loved the “absolutely perfect” name her parents gave her, but most of her kindergarten classmates have names like Joe, Susan, and Bill, and they tease her for having the same name as a flower. Poor Chrysanthemum is terribly unhappy at school until the day the students meet their music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. (Novelist)

You’ll Like It If You Like:

Relatable characters, emotionally intense scenes, feel-good stories of friendship and unconventional smarts, self-improvement through hard work and small changes

Reading Level:

  • Fish in a Tree: Read Together, Grades 4 – 5; Read Alone, Grades 4 – 6
  • Stick & Stone: Ages 0 – 8 years
  • Chrysanthemum: Ages 0 – 8 years

Fun things To Do & Explore at Your Book Club:

Watch: Ally learned how to believe she could improve. Learn more about this concept of having a growth mindset:

Learn: Check out this info about Dyslexia and get a better understanding of what it is like to have a learning disability by reading this passage.

Write: A gratitude letter to a teacher who has made a big impact on your life.

Discover: Learn more about the author, Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Watch the Fish in a Tree book trailer, and more on the author’s site:

Chrysanthemum Readers: For all ages, Using paper hearts, conduct the wrinkled heart activity while reading Chrysanthemum. Find this simple yet powerful activity here:

Stick & Stone Readers: For all ages, make Stick & Stone finger puppets (worksheets included in kit) & complete the maze worksheet. Or find even more Stick & Stone related activities from the author’s site.

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