Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

By Chanel Miller

Informational Resources:

Author and Illustrator Information:

Chanel Miller

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2211869/chanel-miller/

Activities & Resources:

Have students write and record a book talk for Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All.
BOOK TALK GUIDELINES

What is the difference between a cocoon and a chrysalis? (1:05)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLsI15B-Cks

There are 8 million people in New York City. How many people are in your city?
https://data.census.gov/profile

The girls use a stream of consciousness to think of clues. Try a stream of consciousness to write a story.
https://musingsfromthemiddleschool.org/2022/10/fast-fives-how-to-use-stream-of-consciousness-writing-to-motivate-writers.html

Why Are Flamingoes Pink? (4:20)
https://www.you-tube.com/watch?v=lYDNA3XQV_0

Have each student bring an item in a paper bag (so no one can see what you brought). Mix them all up. Open each one and see if students can tell who brought what item.

All About New York City:

New York City

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/New-York-City/353530

All About New York for Kids | New York History and Fun Facts | Twinkl USA (5:08)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOXEFEemLYY

Learn How to Play Chess:
https://www.chesskid.com/learn/articles/how-to-play-chess

Mindfulness Activity:

The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety (4:28)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30VMIEmA114

MakerSpace Activities:

Draw a map of your city/neighborhood
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/lets-make-a-map

Design your own socks that represent you
https://www.allabouthope.net/projects/2022/8/29/crazy-sock-day-craft

Make a beach diorama like Magnolia makes a beach in her closet
https://www.astrobrights.com/inspiration/beach-diorama

Make your own washing machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ9ld0047k4

Discussion Questions:

Based on the title and cover of the book, what are some predictions you can make about the story?

Can you describe the setting of the story? How does it contribute to the overall mood of the book?

Socks are easy to misplace and forget about. What other everyday items are forgettable?

What is your role at your home with the laundry?

Has an adult ever tried to force a friendship on you? How did it go?

Magnolia notes that some people move out of New York City because they are “grass” people. What is a grass person? Are you a grass or city person?

What do you do if you see someone yelling at someone else? What do you do if someone yells at you?

How is having someone who believes in you is a powerful thing?

What does the chess player, Carl, mean when he says “Even if you make a wrong guess or go backward, you must keep moving, adapting as you go along” (pg. 31-32).

Describe how an error can be a creative act.

Have you ever been given a job you thought was too small? How did the job contribute to the whole event?

Do you or your family have any birthday traditions?

Alan has been keeping his knitting a secret. Why would someone hide something unique about themselves? Do you have any hidden talents? 

What does Magnolia gain by looking for the owners of the socks?

Aspen talks about not absorbing negative words. That can be difficult. How would you not absorb negative words?

Some people say “the grass is greener on the other side.” Give examples from the book of when Magnolia feels this way. Is she right? How do other people feel about Magnolia’s life?

Anu the dog walker mentions that the dogs have to work out their fights or else they can’t move forward. What is keeping Magnolia from moving forward?

When is sadness a good thing?

What does Magnolia do to help Iris feel better?

Why does Iris want Magnolia to return the socks?

Book Talk Teasers:

Read the reader’s theater for Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller.

Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.

Read Alikes: 

Goerz, Gillian. Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer. When ten-year-olds Shirley and Jamila meet, Jamila is simply hoping for a friend in her new neighborhood but Shirley is a detective and together they seek a missing gecko. (NoveList Plus)

Kapit, Sarah. The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family. Two sisters on the autism spectrum find their partnership in a junior detective agency challenged by a mystery involving boundary issues, a new friend’s texts and their father’s burned Shabbat brisket. (NoveList Plus)

LaCour, Nina. The Apartment House on Poppy Hill. Determined to make two new tenants feel welcome, bighearted, curious and mischievous 9-year-old Ella, who knows all the neighbors except for the mysterious Robinsons who live on the top floor, hopes a special celebration will change that. (NoveList Plus)

Phillips, Tom. Egypt’s Fire. Accused of stealing a rare Egyptian ruby, down-on-his luck 12-year-old John Boarhog is swept into the orbit of Inspector Toadius McGee, the world's greatest detective you've never heard of, to track down the true culprit. (NoveList Plus)

Yee, Lisa. Maisy Chen’s Last Chance. In Last Chance, Minnesota, with her family, Maizy spends her time at the Golden Palace, the restaurant that's been in her family for generations, where she makes some discoveries requiring her to go on a search for answers. (NoveList Plus)

Reviews:

Booklist (August 2024 (Online))

Grades 2-5. Magnolia Wu spends most of her time at her family's laundromat. Her parents try to set her up on play dates with kids her age, but she has largely made it to the age of 10 without birthday parties or much excitement. Since she is without a friend, she collects single, lost socks in the hope that someday they will be reunited with their match. When she meets Iris, they bond over their shared frustration at the racism their mothers endure in their respective lines of work. Iris comes up with a great idea: instead of waiting around for people to claim the lost socks, why don't the two new friends go find the owners? Ultimately, the girls learn that the things that make them feel different can also be the things that make them feel great and even empowered. This cute chapter book uses the sock plot as a vehicle for the girls to meet a variety of interesting characters around New York City, and makes for a story that keeps readers' attention throughout.