One of our recommended books for 2017 is Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

RAIN REIGN


A New York Times Bestseller

Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She’s thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different—not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father. When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog,

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A New York Times Bestseller

Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She’s thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose’s obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different—not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father. When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.

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  • Feiwel & Friends
  • Hardcover
  • October 2014
  • 9780312643003

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$16.99

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About Ann M Martin

Ann M. Martin is the author of Ten Rules for Living with My Sister, Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life, and Everything for a Dog, all from Feiwel and Friends. She won a Newbery Honor Award for A Corner of the Universe, and is the author of the beloved Baby-sitters Club series. She lives in upstate New York.

Praise

“Rose is a character we root for every step of the way. She is resilient, honest, and, in her own odd way, very perceptive; a most reliable narrator.” —The Horn Book (starred review)

“Readers will empathize with Rose, who finds strength and empowerment through her unique way of looking at the world.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Simplicity, clarity, and emotional resonance are hallmarks of Rose’s first-person narrative … A strong story told in a nuanced, highly accessible way.” —Kirkus Reviews, (starred review)

“Martin has penned a riveting, seamless narrative in which each word sings and each scene counts.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Newbery Honor author Martin (A Corner of the Universe) is extremely successful in capturing Rose’s perspective and personality . . .” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Discussion Questions

1. Rose Howard narrates her own story. Discuss the difference between a “reliable” narrator and an “unreliable” one. Which is Rose? Why?

2. Rose’s list of homonyms is one of her most important possessions. Why do you think she keeps this list? There are probably easier ways to update it (on a computer, for instance). Why is Rose’s list handwritten?

3. Everyone is different; every person has particular habits and interests. And some people have differences that others see as “disabilities.” What makes Rose different? Are her outbursts in class something she does on purpose?

4. How does Rain help Rose? Describe the roles that pets play in the lives of people who love them.

5. Do you believe Rose’s father let Rain out of the house with any bad intentions? Why or why not?

6. Why is Rose’s uncle Weldon more patient with Rose than her own father?

7. Do you agree with Rose’s decisions about Rain? Describe what might have happened if Rose had acted differently.

8. Discuss Rose’s future—what lies ahead for her once the book is finished?