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Grades 9-12

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: High School

March 1, 2021 | Taking a Stand

There are so many ways to take a stand…

Still, sometimes it’s more difficult to stick up for what you believe in than other times. Maybe you take a stand for yourself and decide not to ditch a class with your friend. Maybe you want to take a stand for you community and ask for signatures from others on a corner in your neighborhood. No matter what the cause is, the option to take a stand is right in front of you and just a grasp or two away! 

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

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

Children of blood and bone

By Toni Adeyemi


Why We LOVE This Book

It is an epic book that focuses on bringing magic back to the land and the four narrators each “take a stand” on various levels (self, loved ones, and society). As the story unravels, the reader gets the feeling that the story parallels today’s issues.

Conversation Launchers

Amari, Inan, Tzain, and Zélie take various “stands” throughout the story.

  • Give an example of each character.
  • Which character can you relate to the most, in regards to taking a stand? Why?
  • Is there an event in the book, in which you believe a character should not have taken a stand? How did it hurt him or her?

There are several characters, such as Kwame, Zu, and Zulaikha, who have difficulty in trusting others.

  • Is the lack of trust due to betrayal and fear? Is it because of something else? Explain.

Prior to entering the temple, Zélie gives a motivational speech. At the end of the speech: “Roën asks, ‘And if everything goes to hell?’ Zélie responds, ‘Fight with everything you’ve got.’”

  • How does her response make everyone feel more confident when they are full of fear?

Near the end of the story, Baba, Zélie’s father, says: “Revenge is meaningless. There’s still time to make this right.”

  • Do you agree with what Baba said?
  • Does his statement help or hurt Zélie when she is deciding what to do during the final battle? Why?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

It’s Kind of a Funny Story

By Ned Vizzini


Why We LOVE This Book

Craig, a high school student, begins to feel the pressures of achievement and begins to experience anxiety and depression. After he attempts suicide, he “takes a stand” for himself and his health when he checks himself into a local mental hospital. He begins to learn and grow, in regards to balancing life.

Conversation Launchers

At the beginning of the novel, Craig puts a lot of pressure on himself when it comes to his idea of success and often gives into others.

  • Should he have taken a stand more? 
  • Is it easy to agree with others? Explain.

As the pressure of school and his future pick up and become unbearable, Craig stops eating and sleeping, and attempts to commit suicide. He realizes that he wants to live and decides to check himself into a psychiatric hospital. He almost completely falls apart before standing up to anxiety, depression, and himself.

  • Why do you think it takes him so long to take a stand?
  • Is it more difficult to stand up to yourself than others? Explain.

Craig found himself lying to his parents and principal, while he was improving in the psychiatric hospital. Even though he was starting to stand up to his new found friends, such as Muqtada, Solomon, and Armenia, in the hospital, he could not stand up to certain others.

  • Why do you think he is making strides in the hospital, but having issues with the outside world?
  • Do you agree or disagree with his behavior? Why?

Craig ends up making a poor choice with his high school friend, Nia, and gets busted by Noelle, a girl he is interested in at the hospital. Both Craig and Noelle stand up for what they believe in, in regards to the situation.

  • Do you think the conversation between the two is believable? Explain.

At the end of the novel, Craig says to himself: “Run. Run. Run home. Run home and enjoy. Enjoy. Take these verbs and enjoy them. They’re yours, Craig. You deserve them because you chose them. You could have left them all behind but you chose to stay here. So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live.”

  • How does this quote relate to Craig standing up to himself and for himself? Is there anything else that can be done for the individuals?
  • Do you believe these are wise words? Why / Why not?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

The Poet X

By Elizabeth Acevedo


Why We LOVE This Book

Xiomara feels invisible in various aspects of her life in Harlem; and her frustration with her parents, religion, and brother constantly rise and fall, throughout the book. She decides to join her school’s slam poetry club and begins to find her voice, while she stands up to various aspects of her life.

Conversation Launchers

Xiomara questions religion throughout the book and often questions Father Sean, while she participates in her Confirmation classes.

  • Do you think Xiomara should “take a stand” when it comes to religion and ask so many questions?
  • Is Father Sean supportive? Why / Why not?

Since Twin struggles with standing up to others, Xiomara decides to take matters into her own hands: “And I don’t need to tell him I came to knock my knuckles into someone’s face. To redeem his black eye. To let them know Twin isn’t alone. ‘You shouldn’t have come to my school. I don’t need you to fight for me anymore.’”

  • Do you agree with Twin not wanting Xiomara to fight his battles anymore. Why / Why not?

One way Xiomara stands up for her beliefs in school is by joining her school’s slam poetry club, advised by Ms. Galiano.

  • Describe other ways she begins to speak up in school.

Her boyfriend, Aman, and close friends, such as Caridad and Isabelle, give her various tools to take a stand when it comes to Mami. Some approaches are more successful than others.

  • Discuss some of Xiomara’s successes and downfalls when it comes to standing up to her mom.

At one point, Xiomara is feeling defeated on various levels and contemplates about “throwing in the towel”.

  • Do you think she should? Explain.
  • Is there a moment, in which an individual should not take a stand? Why / Why not?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Keep the Conversation Going!

  • Silent Talking – Text a family member (or several) a time when you had to “take a stand”, no matter how big or small. What emotions did you experience? How did everything work out? Respond to each other, in regards to how you can relate.
  • Art Appreciation / Research 101 – Look at a picture of Malala depicted as Rosie the Riveter (Malala as Rosie the Riveter). How are Malala and Rosie similar? Please feel free to do some quick research (Wikipedia) of the two!  Discuss why Anat Ronan, a self-taught urban artist, painted the mural in Texas. Why do you think she didn’t choose someone other than Rosie the Riveter when comparing her to Malala?
  • YouTube Clip/Book Connection – Locate a video on YouTube, in which someone is “taking a stand”. What similar emotions are being experienced in the video and the novel read. Discuss your observations.
  • Music Appreciation – Pick a song that represents “taking a stand”: “Brave Again” by Maya Iskowitz, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platton, or “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. Read the lyrics, listen to the song, and discuss the similarities between song(s) and the book you read.
  • Let’s “Hold It” For A Moment – Each pair / group decides who is Partner A and Partner B (or Partner C). One partner summarizes, questions, or identifies interesting information for his or her partner(s). Use a timer for the three minutes. After the time is up, the other partner(s) summarizes what was shared. Finally, the individuals reverse the roles.

MORE GREAT READS

March (Book 1)

John Lewis & Andrew Aydin

Little Brother

Cory Doctorow

Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders

Geoff Herbach


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Resources for OTHER AGE GROUPS

SEARCH BY GRADE LEVEL…

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: Pre-K & Kindergarten

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: First & Second Grade

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: Middle School

Family Book Club – Taking A Stand: High School

Mandy G, NEW BOOK JOY Founder






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