UNC Middle School Lit discussion

What endangered species would you be most passionate about saving?
There are many themes relevant to middle school children in this book which one do you feel is the most important and why?
examples include...
(Belonging, Bullying, Family, Values in Conflict, Friendship, and any other theme you feel appropriate)

I would be most passionate about saving the gray wolf for a few reasons. One, it is native to America. Two, they mate for life and their packs are formed like nuclear families. Three, they are beautiful creatures. :)

I would say family is probably the most important theme in this book for middle schoolers. All people have issues with their families at some point in their lives (most at many points). Middle school can be a rough transition time for students and (in most cases) their families will always be there for them through, even if it isn't in the best way. You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. I know this isn't always the case (like it was with Mullet Fingers), but even that is part of a family theme that needs to be discussed with middle schoolers. Just because a family isn't the typical white, nuclear, middle-class family, doesn't mean it's not just as valuable as any other family. I think it's a conversation many students would like to have, even if they were sensitive to the subject.

I would be most passionate about saving sea turtles - I watched babies hatch and walk to the ocean last summer at the beach - it was so amazing! and they're sooo cute :)
I think that family is also a very important theme for middles schoolers. I really likes how Roy made the comment about being the only child and feeling indebted to his parents to be safer than the other kids were while playing. He cared a lot about what his parents thought. I think that's really relevant to a middle schooler who is struggling during that time in life when you are trying to be more independent but still dependent on your parents.

I would be most passionate about saving Polar Bears because they are one of my favorite animals. Even though I have heard that they are really mean, I picture them being extremely cute and cuddly! haha.
I think that this book is a great represenation of standing up for what you believe in despite bullying or a certain authority figure telling you that you are wrong. This is a great message for middle schoolers because middle school is a time of discovering who you are, and instead of conforming to what everyone else does, this book shows that it pays off to not follow the crowd, but to do what you think is right.

I would be most passionate about saving koala bears- yeah I know its weird, but they are sooo cute and have such a limited habitat.

I think the book's most important theme is finding something you are passionate about and believing in it, even if others don't agree. Middle school is the time when many people discover what they are most passionate about and what they believe in, and lots of kids this age learn to stand up for themselves and what they think is the right thing to do.

Awww, i love koala bears!!! I hadn't thought of them and I definitely would help you save them! :)

I would save the manatees! :)

I agree with Madison.. I think the most important theme is finding your passion, and going after it. In middle school, most kids are on the path of self discovery, and I feel that it is extremely important to be able to stand up for what you believe in and not care what other people think about it.

i would go with sea turtles too -- in high school one summer I went to costa rica with a teen travel tour and we traveled around, lived with families, etc. One of the experiences we did was protecting sea turtles from poachers -- for three days straight, different people in our group were given different times to patrol the beach.. we literally walked up and down the beach for hours. It was such a great experience and seeing the sea turtles was so cool.

I think all of these themes are important but I think all middle school students can relate to bullying. I have seen way too many examples of bullying and addressing this issue is extremely important in the classroom.

I would save the bald eagle :)

I think that the book brings out great middle school issues that kids face everyday...especially bullying and friendships. But this book also points out the importance of responsibility...Roy's biggest concern throughout the book was that he was worried he might let his parents down. So, this book also teaches kids to not think selfishly but to consider how your actions effect others..

I would save the sea turtles as well :) I am from the coast so I have seen first hand hatchings, and vandalism to the nests...

Upon reading the question about the most important theme I immediately thought about the family aspect of the book, but I remember when I was in middle school I was more concerned about what my friends thought than my parents, so i differed from Roy a little there. I knew my parents would always forgive me if I did something wrong- they would still love me, but I didn't have that same confidence with my friends. I think that the book did a great job of bringing family life and everyday friendship/school together.

I would save the bald eagle too holli! It technically isn't endangered anymore, but as the "symbol of our nation" we need to protect them :)

I agree that this book has many themes running throughout the plot. I think that Hoot did an excellent job at depicting the complexity of a child shifting towards adulthood through decision making. When we are younger we follow rules because that is what our parents want us to do, and we get in trouble if we don't. As we grow older, however, doing what is right and following the rules are no longer necessarily synonymous. Roy explores this throughout the book. I love his mother's advice,

"Sometimes you're going to be faced with situations where the line isn't clear between what's right and what's wrong. Your heart will tell you to do one thing, and your brain will tell you to do something different. In the end, all that's left is to look at both sides and go with your best judgement (160)."
...
Roy realizes that "all he had to do was settle the argument between his heart and his brain (162)." --> Something that everyone has to do everyday.

i dont know much about endangered species but ive always beenfascinated with the killer white whale ( i think that's the name) but they are incredible.
i am most fascinated with the way roy finds such incredible confidence to take a stand (a very active stand) despite the fact that he was considered an outsider at first. mostbooks also focous on the lack of parents, but i think this book does a good job on incoroprating the family with roys life! a nice change of pace!