11+birthdays

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= = =** 11 Birthdays ** by Wendy Mass=

Take a **[|LOOK INSIDE]** the book!


 * [|Author Website]**: Wendy Mass

From the inside flap: On their first birthday, they learned to walk. On their fifth, they planted seeds in handmade pots. On their tenth, they learned there are some words you can never take back. Amanda's eleventh birthday should have been a happy occasion. Instead she's dressed in an itchy costume her mother picked out for her Hollywood-themed party (Dorothy from the //Wizard of Oz//, even though the flying monkeys have always creeped her out). Meanwhile, across town, her ex-best friend Leo is celebrating their joint birthday with a huge bash including a hypnotist, a football star, a giant iguana, and a rock band. SO not fair! Amanda can't wait for the day AFTER her birthday so she can stop thinking about the fight that led to her and Leo having separate parties for the first time in their lives. There's just one problem. The next day is her birthday all over again. In this hilarious and touching adventure, Amanda must figure out how to get un-stuck, in more ways than one.

//Amanda and Leo have shared ten birthdays. But something happened last year that tore their friendship apart. What will their eleventh birthday be like?//
 * Introduce the book with this 11 Birthdays video book talk **

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OR watch this [|11 Birthdays book trailer] by Teacher librarian M. Harclerode

[[image:bluebonnet_clipart.gif width="26" height="69"]] ** Texas Bluebonnet activities: **
Imagine living a day over and over again. Hollywood and television have made several movies and shows based on this theme. Maybe you have seen "Ground Hog Day" a very funny movie featuring Bill Murray? The character has to relive the same day over and over until he gets it right, thus breaking the pattern or curse.


 * Write:** down all the things you do today-even the things you wish you had not done, or said, or eaten.


 * Reflect:** At the end of the day, stop and reflect on the day's events. Write these thoughts down.

Tomorrow will bring a new day with new opportunities to correct the mistakes from yesterday or to repeat all the really nice things you did today. Think up new ways to show that you appreciate your friends and family and be ready to forgive them for their goof ups too.
 * Change:** What would you have done differently?


 * Illustrate:** Illustrate your favorite event that happened to you today. Was it something you did or was it something someone did for you or with you? Think about why it was your favorite event of the day. Would you repeat this event?

What about repeating an unpleasant part of your day? If you could have a "do over day" what steps would you take to avoid or change this unpleasant event of the day?

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