Have you ever shared a party with anyone? Have you ever been afraid to try something new? What was it? (new food, roller coaster, doing a cartwheel, making a new friend) How many birthdays would you like to celebrate?ĭiscussion topics for during/after reading: What special things do you do or eat on your birthday? We celebrate b/c we are happy to still be here and be healthy!) Why do you think we celebrate our birthdays? (Before modern medicine, people did not live as long and some did not survive their first birthday. What do you remember from your last birthday?

How old are you after 11 birthdays? (11.unless) If you can, try to read through Chapter 8. Unfortunately, you have to get through Chapter 7 to realize the star character is repeating her birthday.

The premise is similar to Groundhog's Day-the characters repeat their birthdays over and over until they become friends again. You are encouraged to read for the entire 1 1/2 hour period if the kids are interested in the story. A rewarding choice for readers and a natural for booktalks and discussion groups. Emboldened by the idea of daily do-overs, she discovers that small changes in her attitude and actions result in sometimes-subtle, sometimes-monumental shifts in results for herself, her family, and her friends. The mysterious power that rewinds time eventually seems less important than the power that Amanda finds within herself. From the double-entendre title to the solid character portrayals to the clarity and wit of the writing, this novel offers a fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics. They soon renew their friendship and begin to experiment by making different choices throughout the day, partly for the thrill of acting without long-term consequences and partly from their fear of never escaping this mysterious time trap. In the days that follow, both Amanda and Leo discover that they are caught in a time loop, waking up each morning to find themselves repeating their eleventh birthdays.

Still feeling hurt from an unkind remark Leo made at last year’s party, Amanda spends her eleventh birthday without her now-estranged friend to share the fun. Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)Īmanda and Leo, born on the same day, have celebrated their birthdays together for 10 years.

Volunteers needed in May! Click here to sign up.

Book 11 birthdays