My Side of the Mountain By: Jean Craighead George

My Side of the Mountain By: Jean Craighead George
Parent Child Book Discussion
Grades: 4-5
April, 2009

Questions by: Julie Moran

snack: trail mix, gummy worms possible writing activity: pretend you are running away from home, what items would you bring for entertainment and survival purposes, where would you go?

1. Thumbs up thumbs down? What did you enjoy about the book? What didn't you like about the book?

2. Why has Sam run away to the mountains? (Answer: his city home is crowded, he wants to find the Gribley farm, and he wants to be independent and live alone).

3. What does Sam have with him when he runs away? (Answer: penknife, ball of cord, ax, $40.00, flint, and steel).

4. Why doesn't Sam's father prevent him from leaving? (Possible Answer: he believes Sam will return home soon, he understands Sam's need to explore, trusts Sam to do the right thing).

5. In what ways does Sam seem unusual compared to other people his age? In what ways does he seem much like other people?

6. Sam sees signs of the coming winter in the way the animals behave. What are some of these signs? (Answer: the weasel's coat changes color, raccoons fatten up, squirrels store food).

7. What are some things you would miss if you ran away from home?

8. What amazing animals have you seen in the wild?

9. Do you enjoy nature and being outdoors? What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?

10. Toward the end of his year alone, what challenges from nature does Sam face? (Answer: ice storm, deep snow, serious vitamin deficiency) How is he able to cope with these problems? (Answer: has stored up food and fuel, makes snowshoes, eats rabbit liver to get vitamin C).

11. What kind of natural sights, sounds, and smells do you enjoy? (example: pg 58 Sam hears the pip pop sound of earthworms coming out of their holes).

12. Did you like the way the books ends? Explain why or why not.