Family Book Club - Community Connections: High School

No matter what life has in store, there’s always a community right around the corner…

Communities can help you feel loved and understood. It my be a large community, such as your neighborhood. It can be a smaller community, too, such as your group of friends, sports team, or the people you work with. Communities unite us and help us feel safe and secure.

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior High Schoolers around the concept of “Community Connections.”

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

We Set the Dark on Fire

By Tehlor Kay Mejia

Why We LOVE This Book

Dani is the top student, but realizes everything is not as she thought. She realizes Matteo is nothing that he says he is or what he believes. Due to the distrust and split of various communities, a rebellion is inevitable. Dani and Carmen must do all that they can, in order to make sure everything does not crumble.

Conversation Launchers

Dani remembers Polvo, the town she lived in before attending Medio School for Girls: “Nights with her parents, their simple but hearty food between them, laughter painting the night. Days with her friends, people who had known her since childhood, people who protected her secret and even shared it. People she could trust…,” (page 35).

Even though Medio is gated and the girls are supposed to feel safe and not be harmed, why does Dani feel like she cannot trust anyone?
Why is Dani having a difficult time feeling safe in her school community?

Since there is a split on the island, due to lies and deceit, La Voz, a group of individuals, surface and try to make sure everyone is treated equally and fairly.

Are they rebels? Why / Why not?
Why do people go against their government? Should they disagree with their government? Why / Why not?

Many people want to fight for their communities because of the unfair and unequal treatment: “‘My parents were killed trying to kill the wall. Killed because my father was sick and dying and my mother tried to get him to a hospital. Shot down. Like dogs. Because they needed medicine, and the men on the other side decided they were too unseemly to deserve it,’” (page 137).

Why are some residents forced to deal with anger and fear when they should be feeling protected by their government?
Is that occurring anywhere in the world today? If so, why do you think this is taking place in today’s society?

Dani and Carmen realize how corrupt their husband, Mateo, is and decide to take a risk, and talk to the civilians who are suffering in the community: “‘The government claims the wall exists to keep you safe from the threat beyond it, but ask yourselves: When has there ever been true protest without injustice? Who really cast the first stone? Who is attacking, and who is bleeding,’” (page 220)?

Why do you think some communities thrive for power and are willing to hurt others?
Is there hope for the community? Can the community become peaceful again? Explain.

At various parts of the book, La Voz and many of the residents show hope, in regards to restoring their communities.

What are some examples in the book, in which they showcase strength and hope?
Is there anything else they can do? Explain.

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Kent State

By Deborah Wiles

Why We LOVE This Book

This is an event in history that is not always discussed, but is still extremely gut-wrenching. The various narrators add to the heartbreaking reality of this horrific event as readers observe some communities getting closer, while other communities are splitting at the seams.

Conversation Launchers

In the prologue, former President Nixon did not take the events that occurred prior to the historical event seriously, due to society having mixed emotions. Because of his actions, various communities became separated.

What could have former President Nixon done differently, so the country would have been united?
Do you think the various communities overreacted? Why / Why not?

The students tried to come together as a community and use what they learned from their families and school: “They were not! We were patriots! We had the right to assemble. The right to protest. Our parents taught us this. They were auto workers, meat cutters, pipe fitters, truck drivers, teachers, nurses, stay-at-home moms. They taught us to love our country too,” (page 17).

Why were the students ignored even after they explained what they learned from their families and in school?
Could they have done anything differently, in order to be heard? Explain.

Many people tried to help the town of Kent during the several days of unrest: “You’ll remember, many students went to downtown Kent on Saturday morning to clean up. I think Sandy went even though she wasn’t even there Friday night,” (page 38).

Who else helped during the days that lead up to the historical event?
Why do other people want to help communities that might not be their own? Should more people help other communities? Why / Why not?

When a community does not listen to one another or is scared, the community falls apart: “We would not be moved. So they teargassed us. Yellow smoke curling through the midday sunshine on a breeze, canisters landing at our feet, the gas choking us, tears streaming down our burning faces, some kids wearing bandannas like cowboys, some kids picking up the canisters, throwing them back at the Guard, one kid standing there, defiantly waving a black flag, daring them to come get him,” (page 95).

What can be done, so there is no fear or anger within a community?
Is there a point of no return when a community begins to unravel? Why / Why not?

Many innocent lives have been lost, at countless historical events, and these innocent members of the community are publicly remembered.

Why is it so important to remember the innocent individuals?
Is there anything else that can be done for the individuals?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

City of Saints & Thieves

By Natalie C. Anderson

Why We LOVE This Book

At a young age, Tina and her mother fled to Kenya, as refugees, in order to escape corruption and deceit. Tina does not know about the rough road that lies in front of her. The more secrets she uncovers, the more she realizes there are communities that are safe and communities that are full of harm.

Conversation Launchers

Tina is affiliated with the Goondas, a gang in Sangui City. She has been part of the gang for several years and decided to join after her mother was killed.

Do you think the Goondas is a community for Tina? Why / Why not?

Extracta Mining Company is corrupt and is willing to ruin a small community, in order to make profits: ‘“For everything. I was hunting for everything. What ‘everything’? Stop playing. I meant everything. Bank records, proof he is working with terrorists, that he’s selling them arms, buying their blood gold. Who he’s working with, where. Every dirty little secret. And you know what? I got them. I got them all.’ Dirt. Then money. Then blood,” (pages 54 & 55).

Why do you think companies are willing to ruin communities, in order to make money?
Do you think this still occurs around the world? Explain.

Tina is often disregarded and looked down upon as a refugee. She does not receive a lot of assistance from the police when she is looking into her mother’s death and she is not respected by Michael’s mom.

What are some other examples, in which Tina is frowned upon?
Why do you think she is treated this way?

While Boyboy, Michael, and Tina are traveling, in order to find out more about her mother and Michael’s father, Mr. Greyhill, they learn about the troubling history that took place in Congo: “Gaining our independence was long and bloody, and we inherited this place that now had borders, that was now a country. It cut up our ancestors’ lands and cobbled together other communities into something that was supposed to be a nation,” (page 217).

Is it possible for a community to become unified again if it is split apart? Why / Why not?
Do you know of any other communities that have been able to unite after being forced apart? Explain.

There are many instances when Tina feels alone and betrayed by people around her. As Boyboy, Michael, and Tina dig deeper into the death of Tina’s mother, they become closer with one another.

Do you consider the three of them a small community? Why / Why not?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Keep the Conversation Going!

Video Viewpoint – Watch the video about Kent State (https://bit.ly/34vLWp9) and discuss your thoughts. Do you think anything could have been done differently?
Local Support – Support your local community by: ordering from an independent restaurant, shopping at an independent store, or volunteering at a local organization.
Acrostic Poem – Create an acrostic poem (https://bit.ly/30qWOEl) using an emotion you have been feeling recently and share your poems with one another.
Thanks a Bunch – Thank a public service worker in your community. You can thank your mail carrier, police officer, or anyone else you see in your community. If you have time, you can even thank several service workers!
Journal – Journal about a community you belong to. Why do you consider this group your community? Do you feel safe and protected? Do you have strong connections with the people in this community? Do you reach goals together?
Game Night – Pick a game and play with a group of people you consider to be a part of your community. Enjoy each other’s company and have fun!

Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

SEARCH BY GRADE LEVEL…

Family Book Club – Community Connections: Pre-K & Kindergarten

Family Book Club – Community Connections: First & Second Grade

Family Book Club – Community Connections: Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade

Family Book Club – Community Connections: Middle School