skipping+xmas

=__Skipping Christmas__=

//Week 1//

Group Leader: Brian On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not? Today, we discussed the first fifth of the book. Most of the time was spent talking and waiting for the wiki to be ready. The main characters are Luther, Nora, and their neighbors. Luther and Nora want to skip the stress of the holidays by skipping Christmas. I like them because they are both normal people who want to just get away from it all. I cannot stand the neighbors because they don't want him to skip Christmas and they think they can make him do what they want him to do.

Key Questioner:Harrison Why do the Kranks decide to go on a cruse instead of Celebrating Christmas? To save money and not have to stress with the preparations for their Christmas party or decorating their house.

Where does their daughter go? She was going to the jungle as part of the piece corp.

What was the block Christmas decorating tradition? The Christmas party at the Krank’s house and the giant frosty.

Why is Luther in such a bad mood for Christmas? Because he is stressed out because at Christmas they spent a lot of money and have to decorate and what not.

What does Luther keep in his dresser? A bottle cognac.

Group Summarizer: Ricky

Today in our reading groups we took 10 minutes to work by ourselves then Brian took charge. First we started off with Harrison’s questions. It was very effective because everyone contributed to discussion. After the questions Matt read his quotes. Today’s discussions were short, sweet and to the point. All group members contributed today.

Quotes: Matt Nussbaum


 * 1) “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was coming from above, as if Luther was supposed to be comforted. Might as well be Frosty The Snowman” (Grisham, 9). This quote shows that Luther was not in the Christmas spirit at this point in time.
 * 2) “How nice would it be to avoid Christmas, he began to think” (Grisham, 11). This quote shows that Luther doesn’t like Christmas that much and wants to skip Christmas, as the book’s title suggests.
 * 3) “In his distress, he did something he rarely did. Luther reached for the bottle of cognac in his desk drawer, and knocked back a few drinks.” (Grisham, 18). This quote shows that Luther isn’t that big of a drinker and only drinks when he’s stressed out.
 * 4) “I like this one right here” (Grisham, 20) This quote was said by Luther when Biff asked him if he wanted to go on a cruise. This quote shows that he was already planning on how to skip Christmas.
 * 5) “Come on, Nora, please. We skip Christmas, save the money, and go splash in the Caribbean for ten days.” (Grisham, 24) This quote shows how badly Luther wants to skip Christmas.

//Week 2//

Key Questioner: Matthew Nussbaum

He was really happy after hearing the news that he could go on a cruise. He also took his wife to a tanning salon to get ready for the cruise.
 * 1) Give two examples that show how badly Luther Krank wants to skip Christmas.

2. What kind of cars do Luther and Nora Krank drive? Luther drove a Lexus. Nora drove an Audi.

3. What makes this time of year such a good time for the Kranks to take a vacation? No one else will be going because its the winter.

4.Why does Nora not want to invite Claudia to future Christmas parties? She was snotty and annoying.

5. How does Luther convince Nora to skip Christmas with him? He pleads his case about how it would be good. He tells her that it would be cheaper and they'd have a lot more fun than an average Christmas.

Quotation Finder: Brian 1. "You're not doing Christmas?" (Merry, page 34) This quote shows how odd everyone thinks it is that they are skipping Christmas. 2. "It's the principle of it, Nora. Don't you understand? We can forget about Christmas if we damned well choose, and-" (Luther, page 40) This quote shows how hard it is to forget with everyone around them constantly reminding them about Christmas. 3. "I'm sorry you feel that way" (Salino, page 63) This quote shows that everyone around them are getting annoyed at Luther's plans to skip Christmas. 4. "Christmas carolers are not trespassers" (Nora, page 66) This quote shows that Nora is still having second thoughts about skipping Christmas. 5. "He was uncomfortable being the target of their displeasure" (Luther, page 70) This quote shows that not even Luther is 100% about his idea.

Group Leader: Ricky 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the type of language that your book contains. Is it easy to read? Conversational? "Classic"? Does it use a lot of words you don't understand? What grade level do you think the book is written at, and why? Today in our reading groups we took 10 minutes to work by ourselves then Brian took charge. First we started off with Harrison’s questions. It was very effective because everyone contributed to discussion. After the questions Matt read his quotes. Today’s discussions were short, sweet and to the point. All group members contributed today.

Group Summarizer: Harrison To start off our meeting Matt posted his questions on the wiki. We all answered the questions with thoughtful answers. Then Brian shared his quotations and we discussed them. Then Ricky and the group answered the group leader questions. we then discussed what we would read for next weeks meeting.

Week 3

Group leader: Harrison Milacek The mood of skipping Christmas is hectic because problems keep arising that interfere with the Krank’s plans to go away for Christmas. The overriding emotions in this book are silly, materialistic, and some frustration in the book.

Key Questioner: Brian McKenna 1. Are people angry about them skipping Christmas, or are they just jealous? 2.How would you react to someone skipping Christmas? 3.Would you ever consider doing this, why? 4.What would you do if everyone was against you in your plan? 5. How wlll Nora react on the vacation after she learns of the cancer?

Quotes- Ricky Tiburcio 1. I love Christmas as much as the next kid. Oh, I don’t care so much about getting gifts. I love giving them. But I never got my act together in time. I always had ideas for what I was going to do THIS year, like start my shopping early to avoid the madness. I came up with excellent ideas for homemade gifts that I never homemade. Baking I never baked. Pg.67

2. I was in Pet Valu with [|__Violet__] on the weekend. The young clerk made the mistake of asking me something that got me started. Pg. 60

3. He still wasn’t convinced. I could tell he’s of the same ilk as my ex husband. He loves getting presents.pg.79

4. I do miss Christmas…the real Christmas… the one we as a society ruined a few decades ago. So I know that at some point, after getting the skipping out of my system, I’ll start to rebuild a winter ritual for myself. One of my own design. Pgs. 61-62.

5. What about [|__Oxfam__] ? You can buy five hens and a cockerel for a family in Bolivia. Do that in your friend’s name instead of buying that shiny new gadget nobody really needs. pg. 80

Group Summarizer: Matt Nussbaum

I was not here on Friday. But thankfully Harrison filled me in. Harrison answered the group leader questions. And Ricky ready his quotes. Brian posted his questions but was also absent.

Harrison Milacek “It was a rowdy night on Hemlock. Marauding bands of boisterous carolers took turns at the Kranks house. Often they were assisted by neighbors seized by the spirit of the moment.” This quote shows how the entire neighbor hood got involved in Christmas.

“But nothing was clear right then, and Nora said, ”Of course we are.”’ This quote is when the Kranks change their plans when they find out their daughter is coming out for Christmas with her fiancé.

“The Trogdons are leaving home for the week, and I’m going to keep their tree for them.” This shows how Luther got the tree.

“’Unload the car,” She commanded. Her nerves were shot and she was ready to snap.” This quote shows how shopping on Christmas can be stressful.

At four, Nora left in a flurry of instructions for Luther, who, by then was thinking of hitting the cognac hidden in the basement.” This quote shows how Luther does not like having to get prepared for a Christmas Party.

Week 4:

Group Summarizer: Matt Nussbaum

I was absent once again, but a member of my group filled me in on what happened. Brian led the group. Harrison shared his quotes, which were discussed by Brian and Ricky. Afterwards, Ricky asked his questions, which were answered by Brian and Harrison.

Group Leader: Brian McKenna

This book has a theme of humor and individualism. It shows that despite what people say about being original, people will still get angry at those who are different. Even if they're just jealous or whatever reason.

Week 5:

Group Summarizer: Matt Nussbaum

We finally finished __Skipping Christmas__. It was a very good book. Brian led the group once more. Harrison shared his questions, which we answered. And Ricky shared his quotes.

Group Leader: Brian McKenna

I would recommend this book to peers. It is funny and has age appropriate language. It is also recommended by my brother, who usually hates reading.