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

1. What is grief and how can it affect a person?

Teaching Suggestion: This topic can be very hard for some students, especially those who have experienced a close loss. Since the whole book focuses on Marin’s grief after her grandfather’s death and for losing her mom years ago, introducing the topic of grief and offering support throughout the unit can be crucial. During reading, consider having students return to these resources to discuss how they connect to the novel.

• “Grieving and Stages of Grief” from Web MD discusses different types of grief as well as stages and causes.
• In “On Grief and Healing” Rob Gibsun performs his slam poem after losing his father and grandfather in the same year.
• “Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators” from the National Association of School Psychologists could be helpful for the teacher. Sections might also be read with students.

2. How do you envision college?

Teaching Suggestion: Since much of the book takes place in a college dorm, it could help students visualize the novel to talk about college.