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. How do people’s perspectives shape their beliefs and actions? How might biases and prejudices affect the way people view one another? Is empathy important in understanding perspectives? How might people learn to challenge their perspectives and beliefs?

Teaching Suggestion: The novel’s protagonists, Juli and Bryce, have varying perspectives on their shared encounters. The misunderstandings between the two and their families culminate in harsh judgment by the Loskis, Bryce’s family, who do not understand the hardships of Juli’s family. Consider discussing perspectives, empathy, and compassion—first with definitions or descriptions and then with general examples from local, national, or world current events.

• This article describes the importance of perspective and how to empathize with others.
• This 4-minute video explains the importance of empathy.

2. What might be some of the causes of financial hardships in families? How do financial difficulties affect individuals and families? What judgments might others pass on an individual or a family if they are unaware of their financial hardships?

Teaching Suggestion: Juli Baker’s uncle, David, has an intellectual disability caused by complications at birth.