Weekly Activities

Summary:

Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street. But then Mama reminds her that today is their neighbor Miz Adeline’s birthday, and Kameeka has a ton of chores to do to get ready for the party they are hosting. Kameeka’s disappointed to be stuck at home and can only think about the hoopin’ competition. Distracted, Kameeka accidentally ruins Miz Adeline’s birthday cake, and has to confess to her that there won’t be a cake for her special day. But then Miz Adeline’s confesses something too: she’s also got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street. The whole neighborhood’s got the itch—the hula-hoopin’ itch! With vibrant illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen is a charming celebration of family and community ties.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean to be “queen” of something? Do you consider yourself to be queen, or king, of something?

• What is the problem in this story?

• Have you ever used a hula-hoop? What is hard about hula-hooping? What is fun?

• How does it feel when you want to do something and an adult says no? What do you say or think to yourself?

• Do you know your neighbors? What kinds of things might neighbors do together?

• Do you celebrate birthdays in your family? What do you do to celebrate someone’s birthday?

• Who is the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th street when the book begins? What does Kameeka want to do?

• What happens when Kameeka gets “the itch?”

• What does Mama say when Kameeka wants to go out and hoop?

• What does Kameeka think about while she’s getting ready for the party?

• What goes wrong with the birthday cake?

• What happens when Kameeka goes out to buy sugar?

• What happens when Kameeka sees Mr. John closing the bakery?

• Why does Kameeka’s heart race “as fast as the roller coaster at Coney Island” when she says “Happy Birthday” to Miz Adelaide? What does she do about the cake?

• What happens when Miz Adelaide hears Kameeka talking about hula-hooping?

• What does Jamara mean when she says, “I know who the real Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street is?”

• What does Kameeka’s mom expect of her? How does Kameeka react to her mom’s expectations?

• Are Jamara and Kameeka friends or enemies? What impact does competition have on a relationship?

• Why does Kameeka’s mom make her “explain to Miz Adelaide why she won’t have cake for her birthday?”

• What can we learn about Kameeka based on her actions? Give examples from different parts of the story.

• What makes Miz Adelaide’s say it’s the best birthday party she’s ever had? How does remembering the past impact elderly people?

• What’s special about the relationship between a child and an older adult?

• Do you think Kameeka and Jamara will continue to compete to be Hula-Hoopin’ Queen? Why or why not? What might they be like when they are as old as Miz Adelaide and Miss Evelyn?

• What makes Kameeka’s neighborhood a community?

Writing

Write about a community of which you are a part— for example, your extended family, your neighborhood, your class or school, a religious group, etc. How do the members of the community support each other? What do you do together? Are there ever conflicts or problems? How are they resolved?

Get some inspiration from the slides below.

Click on the links for instructions.

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