Dexter the Tough Dexter the Tough Margaret Peterson Haddix Simon & Schuster, 2007 Grade level: grades 3 to 5 ISBN-13 & cost: 9781416911593 $16.99 (hardcover) 9780153770203 $7.99 (paperback) |
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Synopsis :
Dexter, the new student, puts on a “tuf” act the first day of school. His writing assignment tells the class just that. As the teacher continues the writing experience, Dexter looks deep into his actions, and the response they generate from others.
General Review :
Haddix creates the story of a boy struggling to deal with his father facing cancer, being the new student in a school, and missing his parents. Through a writing assignment, his teacher helps Dexter find the true source for his anger.
Themes : Family Life, New Experiences, School Stories, Cancer
Discussion Questions : (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
• New students enter a class at various times in the school year. Have you had a new student in your class? What did you notice about their acceptance in the classroom? What are things you have done to welcome a new student? Have any of you been the new student? What made your move easier? What made it difficult to be part of the class?
• Dexter's father had a very serious illness. Have any of your parents ever been very ill? What changes did the illness create in your family? What did you do to feel better during the illness? Who could you talk to if your parents are not able to discuss the situation with you?
Activities:
• Research cancer. Find out some treatment methods, and side effects of the treatment. (Standard 2, Benchmark 4)
• Think about a time you were very scared of something. Write a poem about your fear. (Standard 5, Benchmark 3)
Similar Books for Further Reading
• Savvy by Ingrid Law
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
• S tarting with Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• Runt : Story of a Boy by V. M. Caldwell
