The View from Saturday
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What’s inside...
How has Mrs. Olinski chosen her sixth-grade Academic Bowl team? She had a number of answers. But were any of them true? How had she really chosen Noah and Nadia and Ethan and Julian? And why did they make such a good team? It was a surprise to a lot of people when Mrs. Olinski's team won the sixth-grade Academic Bowl contest at Epiphany Middle School. It was an even bigger surprise when they beat the seventh grade and the eighth grade, too. And when they went on to even greater victories, everyone began to ask: How did it happen?
It happened at least partly because Noah had been the best man (quite by accident) at the wedding of Ethan's grandmother and Nadia's grandfather. It happened because Nadia discovered that she could not let a lot of baby turtles die. It happened when Ethan could not let Julian face disaster alone. And it happened because Julian valued something important in himself and saw in the other three something he also valued.
Mrs. Olinski, returning to teaching after having been injured in an automobile accident, found that her Academic Bowl team became her answer to finding confidence and success. What she did not know, at least at first, was that her team knew more than she did the answer to why they had been chosen.
This is a tale about a team, a class, a school, a series of contests and, set in the midst of this, four jewel-like short stories -- one for each of the team members -- that ask questions and demonstrate surprising answers.
Character compass
Discussion points
How do you think each member of the Souls team contributes differently to their group?
What lessons do you think the characters learn about friendship and teamwork throughout the story?
How does Mrs. Olinski choose the members of the Academic Bowl team, and what do you think her choices say about her?
In what ways do the characters’ personal stories influence their relationships with others?
How does the story show the importance of understanding and tolerance among different people?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about how the characters develop over the course of the book and relate it to their own experiences with friendship and team activities. Discuss the various challenges the characters face and how they overcome them, reinforcing the values of resilience and cooperation. Use examples from the book to discuss broader themes like inclusion and respect for diverse perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: Throughout 'The View from Saturday,' the characters demonstrate kindness in their interactions, which helps them form deep and meaningful relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to practice empathy and kindness in their daily interactions with peers and adults, fostering a supportive community around them.
Example Lesson: Valuing diversity and teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases a diverse group of students who come together to form an academic team, illustrating how differences can strengthen a team's dynamics and results.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate diverse perspectives and collaborate effectively with others in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: The power of perseverance
Explanation: Characters in the novel face various challenges but persist through them, demonstrating resilience. This perseverance contributes to their ultimate success in academic competitions.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt a perseverant attitude towards challenges in their academics or personal endeavors, understanding that persistence often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The academic team practices and competes in quiz bowls that require critical thinking and quick problem-solving skills, depicting the benefits of sharp intellect and preparedness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in homework, tests, and real-life situations, gearing them towards thoughtful decision-making.