(GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2013
Synopsis:
Amazon.com Review
Lyla finds a great friend in Jamie on her first day of school, but when Lyla makes the cheerleading squad and a clique of popular girls invites her to join them, Jamie is left behind. Lyla knows bullying when she sees it, though, and when she sees the girls viciously teasing classmates on Facebook, including Jamie, she is smart enough to get out. But no one dumps these girls, and now they're out for revenge.
Patricia Polacco has taken up the cause against bullies ever since Thank You, Mr. Falker, and her passion shines through in this powerful story of a girl who stands up for a friend.
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
Have you ever been bullied in school? How did you cope with it?
|
| • |
Why do you think some kids bully others?
Vocabulary:
|
| • |
Dread- to be deeply afraid of something
|
| • |
Churning- to shake or agitate
|
| • |
Shenanigans- secret or dishonest activity
|
| • |
Privilege- a special advantage or right
|
| • |
Coo- to make a murmuring sound
|
| • |
Scapegoat- one that is made to bear the blame of others.
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
Why does Gage give Lyla a strange look when Lyla does well on the test?
|
| • |
How do you think Jamie feels about Lyla's new friends?
|
| • |
How would you feel if a friend treated you the way Lyla treats Jamie?
|
| • |
Why doesn't Mr. August believe that Gage is guilty?
|
| • |
Have you ever been bullied on Facebook or other social media?
|
| • |
What advice would you give Lyla?
|
| • |
What is your response to the question on the last page?
|
| Craft ideas: |
| • |
Make Valentine's Day cards for your friends and family!
|
| Special activities: |
| • |
Play Hangman using the vocabulary words.
|
*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!
