Newbery Honor-winning author Cynthia Lord has written a sensitive and accessible book about the challenges of fitting in when you know you're a little different.
On the last night of summer, Emma tags along with her game warden father on a routine call. They're supposed to rescue a wild rabbit from a picket fence, but instead they find a little bunny. Emma convinces her father to bring him home for the night. The next day, Emma starts public school for the very first time after years of being homeschooled. More than anything, Emma wants to make a best friend in school. But things don't go as planned. On the first day of school, she's paired with a boy named Jack for a project. He can't stay on topic, he speaks out of turn, and he's obsessed with animals. Jack doesn't fit in, and Emma's worried he'll make her stand out. Emma and Jack bond over her rescue rabbit. But will their new friendship keep Emma from finding the new best friend she's meant to have? Newbery Honor-winning author Cynthia Lord has written a beautiful and sensitive book about being different and staying true to yourself. BL 4.3/4 |
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:
What makes a best friend? Make a list of criteria for a "best friend".
What makes a best friend? Make a list of criteria for a "best friend".
CHANCE:
Emma and Owen describe different situations they've been in by using, "Who's ahead? Excited or Scared?" They would use this to describe a new situation and whether they were more scared or more excited. Emma goes through many different situations in the book, and sometimes Excited is ahead, and sometimes Scared is ahead. Think of a situation you've been in recently. Who was ahead? Excited or Scared? Write about the situation and then tell me who was ahead and why.
Emma and Owen describe different situations they've been in by using, "Who's ahead? Excited or Scared?" They would use this to describe a new situation and whether they were more scared or more excited. Emma goes through many different situations in the book, and sometimes Excited is ahead, and sometimes Scared is ahead. Think of a situation you've been in recently. Who was ahead? Excited or Scared? Write about the situation and then tell me who was ahead and why.
ACTIVITY 3:
As Emma adjusts to the changes in her life, she asks her brother Owen, “Do you ever wish to go backward?” Reflect on your own schooling experiences. What have you enjoyed about your previous school experiences, and what are you looking forward to in future experiences? You can use text or pictures/drawings.
As Emma adjusts to the changes in her life, she asks her brother Owen, “Do you ever wish to go backward?” Reflect on your own schooling experiences. What have you enjoyed about your previous school experiences, and what are you looking forward to in future experiences? You can use text or pictures/drawings.