|
If home is where the heart is, what would happen if you lost it? Compassion and humor infuse the story of a family caught in financial crisis and a girl struggling to form her own identity.
It’s the first day of summer and Rachel's thirteenth birthday. She can't wait to head to the lake with her best friend, Micah. But as summer unfolds, every day seems to get more complicated. Her “fun” new job taking care of the neighbors’ farm animals quickly becomes a challenge, whether she’s being pecked by chickens or having to dodge a charging pig at feeding time. At home, her parents are more worried about money than usual, and their arguments over bills intensify. Fortunately, Rachel can count on Micah to help her cope with all the stress. But Micah seems to want their relationship to go beyond friendship, and though Rachel almost wishes for that, too, she can’t force herself to feel “that way” about him. In fact, she isn’t sure she can feel that way about any boy — or what that means. With all the heart of her award-winning novel See You At Harry's, Jo Knowles brings us the story of a girl who must discover where her heart is and what that means for her future. BL 4.2/8 |
CHANCE:
There are no talking spiders on Rachel’s farm, but references to Charlotte’s Web are found throughout the book. If you’re familiar with E. B. White’s classic, compare it to Where the Heart Is. What similarities do these two novels share? What are their significant differences?
There are no talking spiders on Rachel’s farm, but references to Charlotte’s Web are found throughout the book. If you’re familiar with E. B. White’s classic, compare it to Where the Heart Is. What similarities do these two novels share? What are their significant differences?
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:
Listen to Jo Knowles read the first chapter in "Where the Heart Is." Then, do the activity she suggests and either write, design a poster, or create some sort of digital project about when you met your best friend. I know you all know I'm VERY old, but I still think about the time I met my best friend (besides my husband😉) and it makes me smile each time I think of it. As you get older your best friend might change, but the best friend you have right now will always hold a special place in your heart.
Listen to Jo Knowles read the first chapter in "Where the Heart Is." Then, do the activity she suggests and either write, design a poster, or create some sort of digital project about when you met your best friend. I know you all know I'm VERY old, but I still think about the time I met my best friend (besides my husband😉) and it makes me smile each time I think of it. As you get older your best friend might change, but the best friend you have right now will always hold a special place in your heart.
ACTIVITY 3:
“This is all my parents’ fault,” Rachel decides when she learns that her family is losing Bittersweet Farm (page 239). “I don’t care if it’s unfair to say or think — it’s true.” Do you agree? Are the Gartners responsible for their family’s financial woes? What more could they have done to hold on to their home? Have you ever had to go a similar situation, or known someone who has? What kind of effect did it have on their family? Do you think the Gartners will end up being okay? Share your ideas with me.
“This is all my parents’ fault,” Rachel decides when she learns that her family is losing Bittersweet Farm (page 239). “I don’t care if it’s unfair to say or think — it’s true.” Do you agree? Are the Gartners responsible for their family’s financial woes? What more could they have done to hold on to their home? Have you ever had to go a similar situation, or known someone who has? What kind of effect did it have on their family? Do you think the Gartners will end up being okay? Share your ideas with me.