Whittington: Life-Changing Decisions

In the book Whittington, the character Dick Whittington must make many decisions on his journey. Which do you think was the most difficult? Which of his decisons might be considered life-changing? Does Ben need to make a big decision about his reading ability?  How could his decision change his future? Look through the St. Petersburg Times for a story or picture that shows someone making a decision or dealing with the result of an earlier decision. Click on the comment button below and share a personal connection that links your example from the Times with a decision made by either Dick or Ben in the story Whittington.

Comments

[M.M. Mrs. Mazirow's 5th grade - Oldsmar Elementary]

Hello fellow Sushine State Readers!
Are you enjoying Whittington as much as I am? It is definately a complicated story line with LOTS of characters, but worth it in the end... (Don't worry I won't ruin it for you!)

What do you think about Dick Whittingtons's choice to leave his home at eight years old? I would never have been brave enough to do that. It seems like his life is getting better though...Clothes, shelter, and even dessert! Do you think he made the right choice?

[Fourth Grade Rio Vista]

This Battle Blog is a great idea.
I hope that lots of students log on and share their thoughts about these great books.

[M.N., Mrs. Munson, 3rd Grade, Forest Lakes Elementary]

I love the Sunshine State Young Readers books that I've read so far, but I haven't read Whittington yet. I hope the next book for discussion is one of the titles that I HAVE read.

[fm, Oldsmar ES]

This book is the weaving of 3 story lines together. Chapters are short and good for read aloud. Vocabulary and history of 16th century England are good discussion topics. What are the 3 story lines? How do you think they relate to nowadays, rather than just the 16th century?

[B. No school specified]

I haven't read Whittington, but I have read some others ( I'm in fifth grade, I was the captain of the team that won the Hillsborough County battle last year.

[J. Wilson]

Here is the schedule for the rest of the books:
Book 2: September 24th – October 7th
A Bear Named Trouble by Marion Dane Bauer
Book 3: October 8th – October 21st
The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Spring by Betty Birney
Book 4: October 22nd – November 4th
Cabin on Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwen
Book 5: November 5th – November 18th
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Book 6: November 19th – December 2nd
A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff
Book 7: December 3rd – December 16th
Say What? by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Book 8: December 17th – December 30th
Wildfire! by Elizabeth Starr Hill
Book 9: December 31st – January 13th
Worth by A. LaFaye
Book 10: January 14th – January 27th
Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
Book 11: January 28th – February 10th
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O’Connor
Book 12: February 11th – February 24th
Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park
Book 13: February 25th – March 9th
The President’s Daughter by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Book 14: March 10th – March 23rd
No Dogs Allowed! by Bill Wallace
Book 15: March 24th – April 6th
Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler by William Wise

[Mrs. Dang's 3rd Grade Class, Forest Lakes Elementary]

Alan Armstrong writes with great details that helps us readers to understand the story better. We like his use of dialogue between the characters. This is exactly what we are learning to do during our daily writers' workshop.

[Gabrielle]

I think Whittington is a very good book. I think that Alan Armstrong cleverly weaves Whittington's tale of his namesake in with the modern-day story of teaching Ben how to read. The best decision they make is teaching Ben how to read. Without reading, this book hints, you're nobody.

[T.G. Mrs. Snodgrass class Rio Vista]

I liked the way that the author was able to go in and out of the two different stories and blend them together.
I enjoyed learning about the real Dick Whittington.

[N.H.]

I thought that Whittington was a very good book.But I found it a bit confusing, tring to keep track of everything in the barn and everything in Whittington's story. I find that this is one of the better books this year in Battle of the Books.

[anita]

Please Enjoy the Books!!!!!!

[W.F fromMrs.Dang's 3rd Grade Class]

Whittington is an AWESOME book.

[claudia]

hi.i think wittington was agreat book.i thought it was a slightly chalengeing to understand because it as like there were two stories that you had to under stand both.

[Jacob-Mrs. Middleton's 5th Grade Class-Oldsmar Elementary]

I liked the book because it had alot of details and, because there was alot of fighting parts, and alot of animals.

[TW Mrs.Fry's 5th Grade classs Garrison Jones Elem.]

This book was an okay book. I liked how it mostly took place in the barn with all of the animals. I also liked the fact that the main character was a cat and not a dog.I am not a dog person. I didn't like this book because it was a little bit slow. It semmend never ending. I liked this book more than I disliked it.

[A.H/Ms.Ring 5th/oldsmar]

I love it when Dick's cat get's in combat range again'nst the great cat cat and when the rat dies$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ps.I like money

[N.O. 3rd grade Orange Grove Elementry]

What I thought about this book is it was a little hard to understand at first but then I understood as I read more of the book.

[a.s.l 3 grade orange grove elementry]

I thought whittington was a good book because lady{which is the duck}meets a cat named whittington.And they tell stories to eghouer.

[AN]

The book is totally awesome . Alan Armstrong is a great author . I hope he makes more books for the first book .

[j.c. mrs.engelke's 5th grade sait paul catholic school]

I read this book because I have a cat named kitty. lol. I had no other name to name her with. so i just say, "kitty!!" and she comes like a race car right at me. anyways i loved this book. its the best book you should read it bro!!

[b.l/Ms.rings5th/oldsmar]

whittington is about a wonderous cat that explores a lot of places.Then one day he is at a place with his owner. Then the king wants the cat.And after a day or two the king gives the cat back because he thinks it is no good. when it got hurt by a huge rat he had a broken leg and had a lot of scratches all over itself although the cat killed the rat he was still severly injured

[E.T.A./ms.cerrato's class]

WHITTINGTON, is an interresting story. If you remember Dick Whittington, I'm doing research to see I he had really lived. Also, why can the barn animals talk to humans and understand them in the story?

[Gina]

This book was pretty good but not in my favorites. The writing was excellent though, with a lot of great descriptions and short chapters!

If you havent read whittington yet than read it!

[R.H Fairmount Park Mrs.Moody 4th grade]

I think Whittington was very boring when he was telling the story but the rest of the story was good.

in the book no dogs allowed the story was very fascinating to read,the story adventure was fantastic to.you should read this great book!

[C.K.]

Whittington is an awesome book the middle of story was much better than the beginning.

[Tiffany m.]

ok i have too favorites that i love that is cabin on trouble creek and no dogs allowed.i really like no dogs allowed becuase it is about this girl who dosen't like her birthday gift which is a dog but all through the story she learns to the her dog and it is a very cute story.i also recommed cabin on trouble creek because it talks about two boys who are left alone in the jungle and all through the story the boys wait for they're parents tocome back and it is a very cool book!i think everyone shoud read these books because they have a great story behind both of they're covers.

[isaiah]

we are in the B.O.B Tournament
wish us good luck

[jamesha cobb]

hello you book worms! i hope you guys enjoyed all the books. One of my favorite books were say what and drita my home girl. thats just my opinion . at my school curlew creek elementary our battle of the books is coming up based on these 15 books gosh i hope we IN! anyways well if you guys don't get to read all 15 reading 2 would be just fine because at least your mind is thinking and relaxing. well what else humm!!!!.......... oh yea i hope our team wins i know we will thanks to our HREAT TEACHER Mrs.Boehm she is great she helps us with everything and makes things somewhat easier well my time is up

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS OUT THERE DON'T WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE OF OUR MEDAL WHEN WE WIN HAHAHA

LOVE JAMESHA

[mmw]

i hated this book. its confusing and just plain BORING!!!!!! its the worst ever!. my advice is dont read it! so dont listen to the other people who say it is the best book ever!

[MEGAN]

I LIKE IT WAS HARD TO READ IT WAS MIND TWISTING

[Brianna]

I love the book Presidents Dauhgter by Kimberly Brubaker Bradly beacause it`s so full of detail