Do it Yourself Book Club
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The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place
by E.L. Konigsburg
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Upon leaving an oppressive summer camp, twelve-
year-old Margaret Rose Kane spearheads a campaign
to preserve three unique towers her great-uncles
have been building in their backyard for more
than forty years.
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Discussion
What were your first impressions of Margaret Rose
and her uncles?
Why do you think the nicknames in the camp were
so important to the Alums and not to Margaret?
What is the significance of Margaret always
saying "I prefer not to&?"
What are your impressions of Mrs. Kaplan?
What are your impressions of Jake and Mrs.
Kaplan's relationship? Are they close?
Why do you think that the Alums pulled pranks on
Margaret?
What similarities do you see in Margaret's father
and Mrs. Kaplan? What similarities do you see in
Margaret, her uncles and Jake?
Do you think Jake has a duel personality? Why or
why not?
Do you think that the "towers" should be allowed
to remain in the Uncle's yard?
Have you ever met anyone like the Alums? If so,
how did you handle it?
Was the author effective in writing the story
with so many flashbacks?
Activity
Build a popsicle stick tower
From Kind
erplanet
You will need:
- 50-60 popsicle sticks
- Wood glue
- Paint (optional)
What to do:
- It is best to paint all the Popsicle sticks
before you start building your tower. You can
paint them all different colors to create a good
effect. Alternatively, you can skip the
painting at this stage and paint the tower after
you have built it.
- To make the base of the tower, line up about
a dozen Popsicle sticks in front of you, then
glue a stick across each end of the lined-up
sticks
- Lay out two Popsicle sticks vertically in
front of you, then lay two more sticks
horizontally across the other sticks to make a
square
- Make about six more of the squares you made
in step 3, then glue them on top of each to make
the sides of your tower. Make sure that you
finish with vertical sticks on the bottom, and
horizontal sticks on the top.
- Glue together the two pieces you have made
so far (the sides and the base).
- Make a top for the tower by repeating step
one, but glue the two horizontal sticks into
place closer to the center, so that they will
fit inside the two horizontal sticks on top of
your tower. This will allow your top to fit
snugly on the tower.
- There is your tower.
Things to try:
- You can decorate the top of your tower by
sticking all sorts of colorful things to the top
of it. Try a combination of feathers, shells and
things you find in the garden for an exotic
effect.
- You can build all sorts of different things
with Popsicle sticks. Try making a treasure box
or a house using the techniques you used to build
your tower.
Recipe
Rose Butter
From About.com
A very elegent and unusual spread for toast,
sandwiches or scones.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. butter
- Fresh rose petals
Prepraration:
- Line the bottom of a covered dish with a
thick layer of rose petals.
- Wrap the butter with waxed paper, and place
in the dish.
- Cover with more petals.
- Put the lid on the dish and let sit in a
cool place overnight.
- Use the perfumed butter on small tea
sandwiches, with a few rose petals