Pistes d'exploration

Discuss the story and the big ideas behind the story line.

Write in your journal about something that you have struggled to learn. Explain your feelings and your hopes for your future learning.

After a discussion with the class, write a response to the story.

Study the pictures and talk about how Trisha’s body language and feelings change during the story.

Discuss how Trisha’s grandparents encouraged her to read. How is she different from other children? How did the other children at school treat her? What was her special talent? What did Mr. Falker do to help Trisha?

Write about something you had trouble learning to do and how it made you feel, or write about a special talent you have and how it makes you feel.

Be Good to Eddie Lee, Pay It Forward Kids: Small Acts, Big Changes

Mots-clés

Picture book , books , bullying , dyslexia , gratitude , learning to read , overcoming adversity , teachers

Commentaire descriptif

School starts off full of joy and excitement for little Tricia, but as the years go by, and she still has trouble reading words and numbers, it turns into a discouraging ordeal. The language in this lengthy story is intimate, yet unsentimental. By the time Tricia is in grade three, the bullying has escalated: “She discovered that . . . she could hide under the inside stairwell during the free time . . . . In that dark place she felt completely safe.” Readers of all ages will be distressed by this change from the beloved, happy little girl at the beginning of the story. Images in confident pencil line and marker are expressive and lifelike. The bully’s face grimaces as Tricia cowers. Mr. Falker rushes to the rescue, flamboyant tie flying. With his support, and a special reading teacher, Tricia’s face finally glows again—over the pages of a book! An author’s note will be of great interest to young readers: “The rest of the year became an odyssey of discovery and adventure for the little girl . . . . I know because that little girl was me, Patricia Polacco.” This important book is excellent for discussing learning difficulties, and tolerance for one another.