1. 4UI – Book Club Novels Select book club novel Permission letter
Look for a novel that connects to book club novel
Research both books

2. No Great Mischief Alistair MacLeod
This novel explores the experiences of the Macdonald clan and the importance of family and Scottish heritage through the eyes of Alexander. Recollections collide and the intersection of lives and choices emphasize the power of the connection between family members.
Beautifully written
Excellent choice for those considering study of literature
Extensive use of metaphor
Opportunity to explore writing style and theme

3. No Great Mischief: Potential Themes
Family
Brotherhood
Personal Responsibility
Sacrifice
Resilience
Guilt

4. The Wars Timothy Finley
The Wars is the story of Robert Ross, a young Canadian soldier in WWI. Ross enlists in the army after his sister's death in an attempt to escape his grief as well as the social norms of oppressive Victorian upper-class society. He is quickly drawn into the madness of war and commits a desperate act in his commitment to life.
Fantastic piece of historical fiction
Opportunity to explore writing style and theme
Opportunity to explore the significance of setting as it relates to theme
Conflict is key

5. The Wars: Potential Themes
Responsibility
Isolation
Loss of Innocence
Importance of Life
Public vs. Private Wars
Violence
Animals

6. The Book of Negroes Lawrence Hill
Laurence Hill’s novel traces the life of Aminata. Her freedom is stolen from her. She lives her life with resilience and endurance, always striving to restore her stolen freedom. Her quest for freedom takes her from Africa to the United States and Canada, back to Africa and eventually on to England.
Fantastic piece of historical fiction
Long novel, but fast read – caught up in Aminata’s journey

7. The Book of Negroes: Potential Themes
Racism
Sacrifice
Responsibility
Strength
Survival
Identity

8. The Sisters Brothers Patrick DeWitt
Eli and Charlie Sisters are hired to kill Hermann Kermit Warm. Set in the Old West, The Sisters Brothers is a dark comedy that follows these two killers as they experience many work related struggles.
Dark humour
Opportunity to explore the significance of setting as it relates to theme
Conflict is key

9. The Sisters Brothers: Potential Themes
Brotherhood
Responsibility
Violence
Morality
Influence of Surroundings
Development of Self

10. Sarah’s Key Tatiana De Rosnay
Julia Jarmond’s journalistic assignment serves to uncover and highlight a neglected history of France and the Holocaust. This in turn leads to a better understanding of her husband’s family and the far-reaching and long-lasting effects of genocide.
Shifting narrative perspectives
Explores the impact of the Holocaust from multiple perspectives
Pushes readers to determine levels responsibility

11. Sarah’s Key: Potential Themes
Prejudice
Anti-Semitism
Responsibility
Truth
Identity

12. Lullabies for Little Criminals Heather O’Neill
Lullabies is a coming of age story. It follows the unique struggles experienced by Baby, growing up with a heroin addicted father in Montreal.

13. Lullabies for Little Criminals: Potential Themes
Responsibility
Drug addiction
Loss of innocence
Coming of age
Influence of surroundings

14. The Book Thief Markus Zusak
The narrator of The Book Thief is unexpected. Death seems like a completely appropriate narrator since the novel is set during WWII in Nazi Germany. Death follows nine year old Liesel as she survives life in Nazi Germany during World War II. Although she steals comfort and support for herself, she unwittingly offers it to those around her.

15. The Book Thief Potential Themes
Anti-Semitism
Family
Responsibility
Loyalty
Courage
Sacrifice
Violence and/or Mistreatment