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Maine Samplers Part IV

Monkey Island by Paula Fox

Orchard, 1991

Summary: When Clay's father loses his job, Clay and his mother move into a welfare hotel. Later his mother leaves, and Clay ends up living with the homeless.

Level: RL: 6-8, IL: 6-12

Themes:

plight of the homeless;
impact of unemployment on families;
survival;
foster care
Activities:

1a. In Chapter 1, Mr. Garrity takes his son Clay to the zoo and comments about the tiger. What is he trying to tell Clay? Why does Mr. Garrity abandon his family? [Thinking skills: comprehension]

b. No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt details the impact of unemployment on a family during the Depression. Read Chapter 1 of this novel. How does unemployment affect each member of Josh's family? Apply what you have learned to Clay's mother and father. In other words, how does what you have learned explain their behavior? [Thinking skills: comprehension, application / Information skills: interpretation, application]

c. How do schools and churches help parents and children deal with the problem of unemployment? Interview your school guidance councilor or a member of the clergy to find the answer to this question. Take notes during the interview and then use the notes to write an article for your school newspaper, or classroom bulletin board. [Thinking skills: knowledge, comprehension, application, synthesis / Information skills: speaking, listening, note-taking]

d. Consult the community service pages of your local phone book, as well as the listings under your city or town, "Maine, State of" and "United States Government." What local, state, and federal agencies help people who are unemployed or people who need financial assistance? Write a letter to one or more of these agencies asking for information on the services they provide. In your opinion, which agencies could help a family with the same problems as the Garritys? [Thinking skills: comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation / Information skills: location organization, interpretation, application

2a. After his father and mother left, why did Clay choose to live on the street with other homeless people? Do you approve or disapprove of his decision? Why? Locate examples of people, organizations, and agencies in Monkey Island that help the homeless. Why is each successful or unsuccessful in helping homeless people like Clay, Buddy, and Calvin? [Thinking skills: comprehension, evaluation]

b. Create a computer database of organizations that help the homeless. If a computer is not available, index cards are an alterative. What information should be included on the database? Where can you locate information on groups and organizations that help the homeless? (A list of Maine organizations is available for teachers and librarians through the Maine Resource Bank. Call Edna Comstock at 1-800-322-8899.) [Thinking skills: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation / Information skills: selection, location, interpretation, application]

c. Send a letter to or phone a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or food bank, and ask what you can do to help the homeless, either through volunteer work or fund raising.

homeless web

3. Organizations that help homeless teenagers such as the Shaw House in Bangor are always in need of financial support. What can students do to inform people of the problem of homelessness and raise money to finance programs to help the homeless? Use the following problem-solving model to answer these questions:

A. Describe the problem. (What is "Homelessness"? What are the symptoms of the problem? What is the size of the problem?)

B. Analyze the problem. (What are the causes of the problem? What criteria must these solutions meet? In other words , what customs, values, laws must be taken into account?)

C. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.

D. Evaluate each solution for its strengths and weaknesses.

E. Determine which solution or combination of solutions is best. Explain why.

F. List specific things that can be done to make this solution a reality. [Thinking skills: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation / Information skills: location, organization, interpretation and application]

RESOURCES

Nonfiction Books About Homelessness

Kosof, Anna. Homeless in America. Franklin Watts, Inc., 1988. Grades 7 - 12.

Kozol, Jonathan. Rachel and her Children: Homeless Families in America. Crown, 1988. Noted educator Jonathan Kozol presents a graphic portrayal of the plight of homeless families. Grades 10-12

Landau, Elaine. The Homeless. Julian Messner, 1987. Grades 6 - 10

O'Connor, Karen. Homeless Children. Lucent Books, 1989.

Karen O'Connor discusses the causes and prevention of homelessness. She includes interviews with homeless children and the people who work with them. Grades 9 - 12.

Orr, Lisa, ed. The Homeless: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, 1990. This book from the Opposing Viewpoints series debates the causes and effects of homelessness. Grades 9 - 12.

Fiction Books About Homelessness

Hahn, Mary Downing. December Stillness. Avon Books, 1988. Thirteen-year-old Kelly meets a disturbed, homeless veteran of the Vietnam War who spends his time at her local library. Kelly attempts to befriend him. Grades 6 and up.

Hunt, Irene. No Promises in the Wind. Berkeley Publishing, 1970. Josh's father is unemployed. Unable to cope with his parents' frustration and anger, Josh and his younger brother Joey run away. This novel is an excellent study of homelessness and survival during the Great Depression. Grades 5 and up.

Spinelli, Jerry. Maniac Magee. Little, Brown, 1990. Jeffrey Magee is a runaway. His story highlights the problems of homelessness, racial prejudice, and illiteracy. Grades 5 and up.

Prepared by Marilyn Joyce, Stearns High School, Millinocket

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