Comics and cookies: ‘Drama’ by Raina Telgemeier

Each month, the Iowa City Public Library’s will feature a comic or graphic novel for kids, suggest a sweet treat pairing, include a game or activity, and ask a couple discussion questions about the book.

In ‘Drama’ by Raina Telgemeier, group of kids work together to stage a middle-school play. As the group forms, they find their identities onstage and also navigate personal drama in the theater club.

Pairs well with: Pecan Praline Cookies. In the book, the play the kids put on is a Civil War-era romantic musical featuring an over-the-top Southern belle, so pair this read with a Southern delight like pecan praline cookies!

Discuss:

Callie is passionate about set design and researches old movies to learn and gather inspiration from. What topics do you love learning about?
Callie gets angry because Jesse ditches her at the dance, and Liz gets angry because Callie leaves her at the dance. Do you think Callie and Liz have a right to be mad? Why? How would you feel?

Do: Try a couple theater games! For these you'll need a few friends or family members (at least 4 people, and more is even better). Drama casts and theater groups use these games for team-building.

Human Knot

The goal is to untangle yourselves without letting go of each other's hands. Stand in a circle. Join hands with someone who is not standing next to you. Right hands should hold right hands, and left hands should hold left hands until arms are crisscrossing across the circle.

Inspect your knot. Communicate with each other to figure out how to untangle without anyone letting go of another person’s hand. Twist around, climb over or under others' hands, bend, stretch, and maneuver, but don't let go!

It's OK if you need to briefly let go to readjust your grip. No one should be hurt in this game! When the knot is untangled, you'll end up in a circle all holding hands with those next to you (though some may be facing outside and some inside). Set a timer for an additional challenge!

Zip, Zap, Zop

The goal is to say the correct word in the pattern when you it's your turn. Stand in a circle.

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The first person claps as they say "zip," then points to and makes eye contact with anyone else in the circle. That person claps as they say "zap," then points to and makes eye contact with anyone else, who does the same with the word, "zop," then the next person starts the pattern over with "zip," etc.

See how fast you can go! If someone hesitates or says the wrong word, they are "out" and sits down where they are. Watch the speaker's eyes carefully!

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com