|
The Eyes and the Impossible
Last updated Monday, July 6, 2026
Author: Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Date of Publication: 2023
ISBN: 1524764205
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2026
Synopsis:
Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes - to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park's elders, three ancient Bison. His friends - a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican - work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance.
But changes are afoot. More humans arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats - an actual boatload of goats - who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes' view of the world.
| Note to readers: |
| • |
This story has major themes of freedom versus control, the power of friendship and the importance of art and beauty.
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
Johannes has an important job and gets his friends to help him. Have you ever had an important task that you
needed to have your friends help you with?
|
| • |
Johannes sees classical art in the park’s museum and it changes the way he views the world. Can you remember a
time when you felt really affected by a piece of art or music?
|
| • |
Does it sound like humans will be the heroes in this story? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
|
| • |
Conjure: To make something appear or happen as if by magic, or to bring a memory or image into your mind.
|
| • |
Indiscriminate: Doing or choosing something carelessly and at random without careful thought or planning or thinking about the results.
|
| • |
Fervor: Having a very strong, enthusiastic feeling about something. When someone cares deeply and puts their whole heart into a cause, belief, or activity.
|
| • |
Mirth: having fun and feeling great joy, especially when laughing with friends.
|
| • |
Pivotal: Something that is extremely important or acts as a turning point. If a person, event, or decision is pivotal, it is so important that everything else depends on it or changes because of it
|
| • |
Revel: To really enjoy something a lot, or to celebrate in a loud, joyful way.
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
The bison who are in charge of the park are described as wise, ancient, and slow, while Johannes is young, hyperactive, and incredibly fast. Why do you think the author chose such a slow, penned-up animal to be the leaders of the park instead of a fast, free animal like Johannes?
|
| • |
What does freedom mean to Johannes, and how does he describe the feeling of running?
|
| • |
Would you rather be the bison in charge, Johannes or one of the other animals?
|
| • |
Freya loves Johannes like a son, but she hides major truths from him—like the fact that they live on an island and that his father was a coyote. Do you think she was right to keep these secrets to protect his feelings, or should leaders always tell the absolute truth?
|
| Special activities: |
| • |
Do the Word Search
|
*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!
|
