AMULET BOOKS
TEACHING GUIDE
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1
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CHAPTERS 1–3
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What is the most significant event that occurs in theopening chapters? How do you think this will affectBriana?
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How does Briana feel about her father? How doesshe feel about her mother and brother? Use detailsfrom the text to support your answer.
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How does Briana describe the feeling of growing asecond heart? Do you think this is a real physicalchange or something else? Explain your answer.
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In
Te Story of Doctor Dolittle
by Hugh Lofting, thereis a two-headed llama called the pushmi-pullyu.Why do you think Peter referred to ina and Reenaas the pushmi-pullyu? What is your first impressionof ina and Reena? Use details from the text toexplain your answer.
CHAPTERS 4–6
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Why is Briana upset that her mother told peopleattending the funeral that she was called Estrellitaby her father?
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How does Briana’s mom react when Briana tries totell her about the “Dad heart” that is speaking to her?
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How is Briana’s mom handling the death of herhusband? Using details from the text, describewhat ina and Reena see when they come to visit.How would you react if you saw your friend’s momlike this?
CHAPTERS 7–9
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How would you describe the friendship betweenPeter and Briana? Use details from the chaptersto support your thinking.
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What is Briana’s “Dad heart” saying when it speaksto her? What do you think this means?
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What does Briana mean when she says, “TeClothespin Angel Mom is in there somewhere.All I had to do was wake her up.” Refer back inthe text to explain Briana’s statement.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
he Girl with More than One Heart
can help empower students to tell their own stories and
to
l
isten
to
the
feelings
of
others with kindness and empathy
. Use
the
following
discussion
questions
and
extension
activities
as a springboard to discuss with students how a person, when forced to navigate unchartered territory due to a life-altering tragedy, can be capable of discovering a surprising new path through the storms of unexpected loss and grief.
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
By Laura Geringer Bass
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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2
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THE GIRL WITH MORE THAN ONE HEART
Laura Geringer Bass
AMULET BOOKS
TEACHING GUIDE
CHAPTERS 10–12
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Why do you think Briana wore her dad’s hat toschool?
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What happened when the class read Briana’sfractured fairy tale? What did ina say was themoral of the story? How did Briana react? Howdid Daisy respond?
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What do Daisy and Briana have in common? Howmight these common interests and experiences helpthem become friends? Would you want a friendmore like ina or more like Daisy? Explain.
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Why did Briana refer to Aaron as Stonestiltskin?What information do we learn about Aaron?
CHAPTERS 13–15
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What is Briana’s impression of Didi?What does Didi seem concerned about?
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How does Peter respond when Briana tells himshe does not want to talk about what Didi said?
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How does Grandpa Ben use storytelling to keepAaron entertained?
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How do you think Briana felt when she heardPeter was at Sarah M.’s house?
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Why does Briana try so hard to find missing Legopieces? What does she hope to discover?
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What does she conclude is the message from herDad’s heart?
CHAPTERS 16–18
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Do you think it is fair of Briana to want her mom togo to Aaron’s conference and to leave the house?Why or why not?
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What was it like for Briana to go to Daisy’s house?Compare and contrast Daisy’s house with Briana’s.
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How does Daisy view Briana and her relationshipwith Aaron? Use evidence from the text to supportyour thinking.
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Why do you think Peter has such strong feelingsabout making sure Aaron knows they might bemoving? What experience from his past might beinfluencing his opinion? Use details from the textto support your answer.
CHAPTERS 19–21
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How does Briana react when she finds Aaron missing from his bed? What does she say to her mom? Doyou think Briana has the right to be acting this way?Why or why not?
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How does Grandpa Ben view Aaron? How does Didiview Aaron? Give specific details from the text toillustrate what Grandpa sees compared to how Didiviews the same situation. Whom do you agree with?Support your answer with solid reasoning andreferences to the text.
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What are the four easy steps Briana read aboutto quit worrying? Describe each step, and then tellwhether or not you think this process can reallywork to help someone stop worrying. Explain yourthinking.
CHAPTERS 22–24
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What happened when Briana attended the
InwoodChatter
meeting?
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Why do you think ina told Briana about Sarahbringing Peter to Reena’s party? If you could giveBriana advice, what would you tell her to do?
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After Briana asks Peter if it is true that he will begoing to the party with Sarah, Briana feels the needto escape. What is her plan? What do you think theconsequences of her actions might be?
CLASSROOM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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3
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THE GIRL WITH MORE THAN ONE HEART
Laura Geringer Bass
AMULET BOOKS
TEACHING GUIDE
CHAPTERS 25–27
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What story does Grandpa Ben tell Briana? Whatstory does Briana seem to want to tell Grandpa?Do you think he would understand Briana’s story of a girl with more than one heart? Why or why not?
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What happens when Briana’s mom can’t get intouch with her? How does Briana react to hermother’s questions and opinions about Briana’sfriends? Where does Briana go next? Why doyou think she chose to do this instead of going over to Peter’s?
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How did Daisy choose to represent Briana’s fatherin the painting? What does this show about herunderstanding of Briana?
CHAPTERS 28–30
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When Briana arrives home late, her mother tellsher she is grounded. Describe this conversationand explain why it may be a turning point in theirrelationship.
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What happens during the Parent’s Daypresentation? Why is Briana embarrassedwhen her mother enters? In what way does oneof Briana’s wishes come true? Do you think she isreally happy that Grandpa Ben has now seenAaron at his worst? Explain.
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How does Sarah M. react to Aaron’s tantrum?How does Peter react? What do you think thismight mean?
CHAPTERS 31-34
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On the walk back home, Peter says, “SometimesI feel like I am living in the City of the Dead withmy mom.” What does he mean by this?
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Why is it significant that Briana threw away hermother’s slippers? What does it represent forBriana?
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What happens when Briana tells Peter she hasmore than one heart? Do you think this will changethings between them? Why or why not?
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Why does Briana’s mom give her the silenttreatment? Do you think Briana was right to saywhat she said? Use details from the story to supportyour answer.
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When it is time to move, Briana takes Aaron toGrandpa Ben’s. What do they do there? She heardher Dad heart say, “Say goodbye.” What do youthink this means?
CHAPTERS 35–38
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When Briana sees her new room, she is furious thather Dad box is not there. Using evidence from thetext, explain what is in this box and why it is soimportant to Briana.
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What misunderstanding does Briana have? Howdoes this lead her to an important conversation withher mom? What do they discuss?
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he story ends with the words, “And the steady beatof my
single
heart kept time.” What do you think this
means? What happened to Briana’s Dad heart?
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What do you think will happen next in Briana’sstory? What are some possible changes that mayoccur in her life as a result of the way she haschanged?
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