My Family & Village

The book says, "Asiya's hijab is like the sky on a sunny day. The sky isn't a whisper. It's always there, special and regular." What do you think this means?

What do you think this means, "If you understand who you are, one day they will too"?

What can you do when someone says something mean to you? What can you do when someone says something mean to a friend?

What kind of person is Asiya? How do you know?

What are some ways we can stop Islamophobia in school / in class?

How does Thunder Rose appear to most people?

What does the author want us to know about her?

Thunder Rose is an example of a Tall Tale. tales are famous for their figurative language such as hyperbole, similes, metaphors, and idioms. Find and share with us one example that stood out to you.

What did you think of the dialogue? Why do you think the author had the characters talk this way? Have you read other stories with dialogue like this?

What message was the author trying to convey with Thunder Rose's story?

Grandmère says that one can only become a hero when something bad happens. Do you agree or disagree with that statement?

Grandmère gives Maddy three important pieces of advice: respect yourself, pay attention, and use your imagination. How does each piece manifest itself in Maddy’s development as a hero?

When Grandmère asks Maddy who she wants to be, Maddy replies: a hero. Does she become a hero?

In what ways was Bayou Bon Temps a “character” in the story?

Had you imagined a Black mermaid before reading this book the first time? Are there other African/ Black American mythological creatures or legends that you know about?