Family Book Club - Taking A Stand: Middle School

It can be scary to take a stand for what you believe in, but you can always help yourself and others when you do.…

London Harris launched, “CLAP (Clarity / Listen / Action plan / Positive subtalk) for Confidence”, a program to help victims of bullying at her middle school in Arkansas in 2019.

She was bullied and wanted to share her story with others, in order to help them overcome the feeling of inadequacy and gain confidence. Even though she became unsure of herself for awhile, because of the bullying, she gained the courage to share her experience with others.

She thought this would be a great way to take a stand and was able to help many others who had dealt with similar occurrences. Now it’s your turn!

Below you’ll find books and activities that are appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders around the concept of “Taking A Stand”.

GREAT BOOKS & CONVOS

Something To Say

By Lisa Moore Ramee

Why We LOVE This Book

Jenae does not have a lot of friends, which is alright with her. A new student, Aubrey, is almost the exact opposite of Jenae, but she gets used to him being around. By using her voice and taking a stand, Jenae finds the courage to speak up about the people and places that mean a lot to her.

Conversation Launchers

Jenae Is afraid to take a stand and to speak out. At times, her heart races and she cannot open her mouth. She often reminds herself an important fact: that she is invisible.

Do you think it is healthy to want to be invisible? Why / Why not?
What can Jenae do, in order to feel more comfortable with speaking up and taking a stand?

Aubrey, a new boy at school, wants to be friends with Jenae and begins to push her out of her comfort zone with speaking up for what she believes in.

What are some ways Aubrey gets Jenae out of her comfort zone?
Are there other characters who get Jenae out of her comfort zone? Who / How?
Do you think it is helpful to get others out of their comfort zone? Why / Why not?

Some of the people in the community want to change the name of the school to Sylvia Mendez Middle School. Jenae and Aubrey decide to research Sylvia Mendez and find out that her parents wanted her to go to a school near their house, but she was considered to be too dark skinned. Sylvia and her parents disagreed with the school and took a stand: “And Sylvia couldn’t make herself invisible – she just had to go to her classes, holding her books and lunch tight, and hope no one did more than name-calling. She must’ve been really brave,” (page 86).

Do you think Sylvia is brave? Why / Why not?
If so, what else did Sylvia do to showcase her bravery?

People from the community and surrounding areas begin to take a stand, in regards to keeping or changing the school name, as well: “One group is dressed in cowboy boots and hats and they have signs showing a smiling John Wayne. A woman with a long ponytail is sticking fliers through windows into the car in the pickup lane, but Mr. Martinez doesn’t make her stop,” (page 187).

What are other ways the community takes a stand, in regards to renaming the middle school?
Is it important for other individuals to take a stand for a cause too? Why / Why not?

As the story progresses, Jenae begins to feel more confident with Aubrey and other characters.

What are some examples of Jenae displaying confidence with other characters?
Is there anything else Jenae can do to portray the confidence she is feeling during certain situations? How can the suggestions help her with her confidence?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Explore this exclusive blog article:

Author Feature : Lisa Moore Ramee

Taking A Stand – Author Feature – Lisa Moore Ramee

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Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

By Jessica Kim

Why We LOVE This Book

Yumi is a shy girl, but dreams of becoming a stand-up comic. She is enrolled in test-prep tutoring, in order to qualify for a private school scholarship. Due to a mix-up at a comedy camp for kids, Yumi is mistaken for another camp participant. She decides to partake and does not correct anyone. As the mistaken identity mix-up begins to unravel, Yumi must decide to take a stand before possibly losing her dream and displeasing her family and friends.

Conversation Launchers

Yumi’s mom and dad, as well as other characters, talk over Yumi and it is difficult for Yumi to stand up for herself.

What does Yumi do when others talk over her?
Do you think she should do something different? Why / Why not?

Even though some characters talk over Yumi, several characters encourage Yumi to take a stand. For example, Yumi’s sister, Yuri: “I’m serious. Yumi, if you never stand up for yourself and go along blindly with whatever Mom and Dad say, you’ll be chasing dreams, not your own,” (page 63).

How does the encouragement help Yumi?
Do you think it is important to encourage and support others? Why / Why not?
Which other characters take a stand throughout the book?
How does taking a stand help them?

Yuri takes a stand, in regards to not wanting to attend medical school anymore. She opens up to her parents and shares how unhappy she is in the program.

Do you think Yuri should have told her parents sooner? Why / Why not?
Why do people sometimes wait to be honest and take a stand when their parents are involved in the situation? Explain.

Yumi pays close attention to Jasmine’s lesson: “‘There is no one braver than a comedian, and that’s the truth. Think about it. We share things about ourselves that other people try to keep secret,’” (page 124).

Why does Yumi listen to Jasmine so closely at the comedy camp?
How does the comedy camp help Yumi and the other campers learn about taking a stand?

Yumi gains confidence and decides to approach her parents: “I literally have one chance to convince my parents that I should pursue comedy at PAMS, and all the jelly bean flavors on the planet won’t help me with that,” (page 158).

What other character traits does Yumi begin to obtain when it comes to taking a stand?
What character traits do other characters possess, in regards to taking a stand?
What other characteristics are important to have when taking a stand?

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Class Action

By Steven B. Frank

Why We LOVE This Book

Sam is tired of working on endless school work from the time he gets home to the time he goes to bed. After getting suspended for protesting homework, Sam decides to take a stand. He and others stand together and argue why homework is unconstitutional. No matter how many obstacles are placed in front of them, nothing will keep them knocked down.

Conversation Launchers

Sam and other students are tired of homework and decide to take a stand. At first, several students stand with “No homework” signs, but decide to sit down when Mr. Hill, the school principal, tells them they will be suspended. Sam does not listen to Mr. Hill and remains standing.

Do you think Sam should sit down when Mr. Hill brings up suspension? Why / Why not?
Should the other students remain standing with Sam? Explain.

Sam’s Dad supports Sam getting in trouble at school and asks Sam’s Mom several questions: “‘When’s the last time Sam played outside with his friends?’ I hear Dad say. ‘When’s the last time he built anything with me?’” (page 19).

Are there times when parents should not support their child? When?
Who else supports Sam and his stand against homework?

Sam, Sadie, Catilina, and Sean come up with a variety of solutions to raise money and get support from others, such as selling science fair projects and creating a YouTube channel.

What other solutions do they come up with, so they can keep fighting for no homework?
Is there anything else they could have done, in order to raise more money and get more support? What?
Is it important to have others support you when you are taking a stand? Why / Why not?

When Judge Otis Wright the Third rules against Sam’s case, Mr. Kalman says they are going to appeal.

Do you agree that Mr. Kalman should appeal the ruling and go before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco? Why / Why not?
Is there a point, in which you should stop taking a stand and give up? Explain.

All hope is lost after they lose in San Francisco: “I knock on his door. No answer. I ring the bell. No answer. I leave the paper on the porch. At home, whe eat dinner together. Even Sadie’s been eating with us every night since we lost in san Francisco,” (page 136).

What other emotions do Sam and other characters experience during other setbacks throughout the book?
Is it common to experience negative emotions when there is a setback? Explain.
Do you agree with them taking the case to the Supreme Court? Why / Why not?

CLICK TO TRY THIS BOOK

Explore this exclusive blog article:

Author Feature : Steven B. Frank

Taking A Stand – Author Feature – Steven B Frank

CLICK TO READ

Keep the Conversation Going!

Time Travel – Travel back to the past and do some research on a historical event, in which an individual or a group of people took a stand. You can research the White Rose Student Resistance Movement or another historical event you are interested in. After completing your light research, discuss the following questions: Is it ever right to resist authority? Is there something in your community or school that you think is unjust? What do you think can be done to correct this injustice?
Family Flashback – Ask a family member to tell you a time when they took a stand. Why did they take a stand? What happened? Are they happy with the results?
Media Blitz – Xiuhtezcatl Roske-Martinez has been trying to save the world, since the age of six. Presently, he works as the youth director (that he founded!) of Earth Guardians. Discuss the following questions: Can you think of a way to use social media for a cause that you are passionate about? Is there anything else you can do for the cause?
Personal Reflection – Think about a time when you took a stand and answer / reflect upon the following questions. How did you take a stand? Were you happy with the results? Would you do it again? Why / Why not?
Youtube Glance – Watch the following news story: Preschool “Twins” Take a Stand Against Discrimination. Discuss how / why the preschoolers are taking a stand. Do you know of any other young kids who have taken a stand? What did they do? Do you believe enough young kids are taking a stand? Why / Why not?

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