What are some important discussion questions you are considering in regards to this book? These questions will be ones that the group members will really want to talk about. They are questions which might invite debate, and speculation using information from the text and the readers background knowledge.
Post your important discussion question or questions.
Please respond to one other entry regarding discussion questions.
8 comments:
For me, this book stirred deep emotional responses, which encouraged me to continue reading. I was disapponted with the abrupt ending, but only because I had developed a relationship with the family. I believe that the characters were compelling and the plot was well defined. My question is simple.
Does anyone else agree or disagree that this is a "good book" as decribed in Chapters two and three of our text?
Well, I too thought this book was very emotional for me. I almost kept wondering as I read, why do I want to keep reading? I thought the beginning of the book was very good, the intro to the characters, family, etc. then devistation. I almost read this book as a read aloud in my class but I know I wouldn't have been able to get through it without tears. I guess my question would be is this a good book for the classroom? As a teacher, would it be appropriate to envoke such emotion with students and would I be prepared enough to handle it?
What do you believe is the conflict of this story?
I'm having a difficult time pinpointing the major conflict. The death of Brad comes to mind, but that event starts in chapter 7; it seems awkward that the conflict would be introuduced so far into the novel. Secondly, what does the conflict get in the way of?
This comment is a response to John's:
I do believe that this book incorporates many of the elements mentioned in the text that qualifies a book as good. However, I am still unsure what Cliff's main struggle was through out this book. I am accustomed to books providing that struggle early on, but I did not latch on to it right away. I felt like the struggle was introduced once Brad died and to me that seems to late in a book to unveil. Did you feel drawn in right away? I found moments that were delightful in chapters 1-6, but not enough to tell me where the story was going. I felt that the family's response to the death was greatly depicted and aroused an emotional response within me and for that I commend Ralp Fletcher.
jcassier2001, I think it is more about the family overcoming personal idiosyncracies and bonding together to handle grief. I believe that the "hub" of the story is Brad's death, which resulted in a more cohesive family unit, still struggling but with a secret.
I think this is a great book to share with students because they don't often see adults being moved by a book. For them to see a "kids" book invoke such emotion is very powerful. For students who have lost a sibling this book could be very difficult to deal with but by sixth grade many students have had personal experience that you may not be aware of. How do you read/teach text that probe difficult subjects?
In response to John, I agree that this book could be characterized as a "good book" because it has all the elements listed. It touches all of your senses and evokes strong emotional responses. When he described the grandmother baking with the kids, I felt like I was in the kitchen with them.
My discussion question would be along the same lines as bobbie. If this book were read in the classroom,as teachers, how would we handle the students responses?
This is a great book because the descriptions of activities and emotions are written with rich detail and in a matter- of- fact manner that kids can relate to with the full range of emotions expressed by the Abernathy family.
I really enjoyed "The Tackle Box" as it describes the guilty and complicated emotions of Cliff as he empties his treasured tackle box before loaning it to his dad for a fishing outing with the younger children. His discussion with his father after the outing is both tender and funny and could spark much discussion of times when students felt similarly.
I agree with Mr. P. that although discussing personal experiences may be painful,reading this book may provide an opportunity to think deeply about troubling and sad times. The generally optimistic mood of Fig Pudding may make a discussion of painful experiences more approachable.
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