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Crow Boy



Last updated Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Author: Yashima Taro
Date of Publication: 1955
ISBN: 0670249319
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2006

Synopsis: A shy mountain boy in Japan is ridiculed by his schoolmates, until they understand why he is "different."

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Find Japan on the map. What do you know about Japan? What language do they speak?
•  Have you ever felt alone or on the outside? Have you ever befriended someone else who seemed to be alone?
•  What do you look at or think about when you?re ?killing time?? What does ?killing time? mean? It?s a figure of speech.
•  N.B. A grub is the larval form of an insect.
•  What does Chibi have for lunch? What do you have for lunch?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How is Mr. Isobe different from everyone else?
•  What does a crow sound like? Can you make crow sounds?
•  How far away was Chibi?s home? How did the children feel when they learned about him?

Craft ideas:
•  Fold paper to make an origami bird or animal.
•  Draw pictures of some of the things Crow Boy saw on his walks in the mountains and going to school.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!