Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

How much responsibility is too much for middle school ages? Offer several examples of light responsibility, heavy responsibility, and unrealistic responsibility for this age group.

Teaching Suggestion: One of the central themes of this novel is Responsibility Differences Between Children and Adults. It may be beneficial to introduce this theme, then provide this opportunity for students to reflect on and discuss the topic. Thinking about responsibility before beginning the story can help students more fully see the protagonist’s conflict during reading. Studying these and similar resources and discussing how students agree or disagree with the ideas presented could build opportunities for practicing active listening and speaking, as well as building on each other’s points. During reading, pausing at key moments and making connections to this discussion may be helpful for context.

• In “Shifting Responsibility to Pre-Teens and Teenagers,” RaisingChildren.net.au presents some ideas about how and when to add to a young person’s responsibilities.
• This article by Today’s Parent outlines some expectations that fit different ages.