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Garvey's Choice
Last updated Monday, April 19, 2021
Author: Nikki Grimes
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 9781629797403
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Mar. 2021
Synopsis:
Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading - anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father - by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.
| Note to readers: |
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Garvey tells his story though poems. Each page is a tanka poem characterized by:
- Five lines
- Designated number of syllables for each line
- Focus is on communicating the mood and the story
- Doesn’t have to rhyme
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This book looks at Garvey’s struggle with his father’s expectations for him. What kind of expectations do your family members, teachers, coaches, or friends have about who you are and how you should act? Are these expectations different from your opinions about yourself?
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Look at the titles for each poem in the table of contents. What do you think will happen in this story based only on the titles?
Vocabulary
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Antidote: a substance that stops poison or cures a disease
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Supernova: a rare and very bright object that results from the explosion of a star
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Conspiracy: a secret agreement, plot, or scheme between 2 or more people
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Caverns: large hollow cave or den usually underground
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Regret: to feel sorry or guilty for, a sadness about something that one has done
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Stealthy: done or acting in a secretive of covert way, sneaky, furtive
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Internal rhyme: when a poem has rhyming words within the same line
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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In the poem Origami, Garvey says his mother knows not to try to fold him into the jock his father wants him to be. What does he mean by this? In what ways, does his mother accept him for who he is and how does this help him?
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In the poem “Best Friends”, Garvey writes “Do friends make better mirrors?” pg. 14. What does this mean? How do friends help you to see yourself in different ways?
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What makes music and singing so important to Garvey? How does he change after joining the school chorus?
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How does Garvey handle the relationship and tension with his father?
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*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!
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