Reading Group Guide

Discussing and Responding
In the story "Riding Shotgun," Mr. Henry tries to teach Jack the difference between
"thinking" and "worrying." Explain what Mr.
Henry means when he says, "In the game of life, one will take you to the top of the heap.
And one will put you on the bottom." What are Jack's greatest worries about moving to
Miami? Jack knows that worrying shows weakness. Find evidence in the book that
Jack is weak. When does he show strength?
Mrs. Pierre, Jack's fifth-grade teacher, teaches her students the five senses. She tells them that the sixth sense is "good taste." How does
Mrs. Pierre define "good taste"? Why does Mrs.
Pierre think that Jack's story "The Ugly Thing"
is in bad taste? How does Jack reveal that he has "good taste" in the story "Beauty and
Order"?
Jack Henry has a "generous imagination."
How does he use his imagination to create a birthday gift for Pete? Why don't his parents appreciate his imagination? Why is an imagination important for a writer?
Jack goes to the library to find a book about becoming an adult. The librarian tells him that the only book in the library on the subject is approved by the school board, but he must have permission from his parents to borrow the book. Ask students to define censorship.
Discuss whether the library's policy requiring parental permission to take out the book is considered a form of censorship. How do you think Jack's parents would react if he asked them for permission to borrow the book?
Reaching across the
Curriculum
Language Arts
Jack Gantos uses similes to create certain images — for example, "the screened door banged back against the jamb like a starter's pistol" (p. 1). Find other examples of similes in the book.
Jack has no idea about what his life will be like in Miami. He wonders whether it will be funny, scary, or mysterious. Ask students to take a scene from any of the stories in the book and rewrite it either as a comedy, a mystery, or a tragedy.
Social Studies
Mrs. Pierre takes Jack's class to a mansion to experience the beauty of French things.
Divide the class into groups and assign each group a room in the mansion. Send them to the library to research French furniture, art,
books, or other things that could possibly be displayed in their assigned room. Ask them to write a description of the room that might appear in a brochure about the mansion.
Science
Tack Smith's older brother dies of alcohol poisoning. Ask students to find out what organizations or agencies in their city or town work to educate teenagers about the dangers of alcohol abuse. Ask a person from one of the organizations to speak to the class.
Art
Mr. Henry gives Jack a book of Aesop's fables. This is an appropriate gift for Jack since Mr. Henry likes to teach lessons through story. Ask students to read a fable and make a drawing to illustrate the lesson that it teaches.