Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor: Homeschool Study and Book Club Ideas
Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor is a sweet coming-of-age story focused on two girls from two very different worlds. A Wonderland homeschool study will be a fantastic addition to your year. Kids will enjoy this fun tale that is told from various points of view, sparking even more reader interest.
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Wonderland by Barbara O’Connor
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Length: 288 pages
First Published: 2019
View on Amazon | View on Goodreads
Publisher’s Description Of Wonderland
Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent―which means finding herself a best friend.
Rose Tully is a worrier who feels like she doesn’t quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood. Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, but he hasn’t been himself since his dog died. Rose may have to break a few of her mother’s many rules to help Mr. Duffy―and find someone who really understands her.
Henry has run away from home, but he craves kindness and comfort―and doesn’t know where to look for them.
When Mavis and Rose hatch a scheme to find Mr. Duffy a new dog, their lives and Henry’s intersect―and they all come to find friendship in places they never expected.
My Goodreads Review
Three lives intersect in this touching story which is told through alternating points of view.
Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold. She has just moved AGAIN because her mother has taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Rose Tully doesn’t fit in with the neighborhood girls so her only friend is the gateman, Mr. Duffy. Henry is a runaway dog who is looking for kindness and love. When their lives intersect, they find friendship in unexpected places.
I absolutely adored this sweet story and highly recommend it for a family read-aloud or a great book for your child. This delightful story of friendship is an easy and quick read. The rotating point of view offers a variety of perspectives on the situations in the story.
In addition to having plenty of fun moments, there are also age-appropriate emotions and challenges faced by the characters. Of course, the best part is that this childhood story involves a dog that doesn’t die!
Wonderland Book Club Ideas
Ask your book club friends to bring their favorite stuffed animals to the book club. It doesn’t have to be a dog, though they are welcome to bring their own “Henry.”
Play the game of checkers together the way Mr. Duffy and Rose would play.
Enjoy a tea party with fancy plates, fine linens, and recently polished silver. Snack on cucumber sandwiches and tea cakes.
Make an origami corner bookmark that looks like a dog.
Wonderland Discussion Questions For Your Homeschool Study
1. This story is told from a rotating point of view. What did this add to your experience as you read? Did you enjoy it?
2. Compare Rose and Mavis. What makes them similar and in what ways are they different? How do the girls change in this story?
3. Describe Magnolia Estates, the setting of this book. Is it a neighborhood where you might like to live?
4. One theme in this book is friendship. What do you think this story teaches about friendship?
Homeschooling With Books: Discussion Questions To Help You Get Started
Grab this set of questions designed to facilitate discussion about any book:
Helpful Links for Studying Wonderland In Your Homeschool
Read more about the author, Barbara O’Connor
More Titles by Barbara O’Connor
Middle School Book Reviews and Ideas
Online Book Clubs for Kids
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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