November 2015: The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson

Meeting Details:
When: Thurs Nov 5
Time: 7:30, discussion starts at 8
Where: Emily's house- 45 Concession Rd 2 (York)

Discussion Questions:
1. Did you like the book? Why or why not?
2. 'There are worse things than being poor' pg 69. What things is Kitty's father referring to? Is his view 'old-fashioned' or still applicable today? Do you agree with him? Contrast to the Greenberg family.
3. Kitty deals with her neighbour's bees even though she has little experience and is scared to do it. Do you think this shows a positive or negative character trait? How does she feel about the bees? Would you feel the same way?
4. 'Times like these it's awful hard to stay honest' pg 166. Discuss. Do you think this is a reasonable statement or a cop-out? Can you imagine being in their position?
5. 'People are essentially good and kind' pg 207. Is this true? Is this true of Kitty's experience or is she seeing through rose-coloured glasses?
6. Why is it important to Kitty to dig a well? Was it worth it?
7. What do you think of how Kitty dealt with the thieves in her orchard? Why does she treat the boy differently than the men? Would you have done the same?
8. What do you think of Kitty's relationship with Joe?
9. What does the orchard mean to Kitty? Why does she feel the need to preserve it?
10. What did you think of the ending? Were you surprised by it?
11. Kitty's daughter writes about what happened after. Did it change your perceptions? What do you think about the fact that Kitty's mother gave the farm to one of her brothers?
12. Would you recommend this book? To whom?

Menu:
Apple dishes of course!
Two mentioned are:
Apple Pudding (pg 108)
Baked Apples (pg 182)
Or another favorite apple dish- pie, crisp, etc.

Ice cream (several times, eg. pg 7)

Soup gets Adele through the long cold winter (pg 128, 197 etc) I'm pretty sure it's pea soup, but I think we can improvise a bit.
Clam chowder (pg 183)

A meal with the Greenbergs includes chicken, peas, potatoes, gravy, bread and butter (well, it says black bread, but I don't even know what that means, so any bread)

A dish featuring honey (tribute to pg 35 and following)

And I will supply drinks, including Apple Cider, and Iced Tea (pg 27)

JUST A REMINDER THAT WE NEED TO CHOOSE BOOKS THIS MONTH! 

 IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THIS MEETING, PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO ADD ANY COMMENTS OR PREFERENCES TO THE POST ABOUT BOOK CHOICES.  :-)