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The Double Life of Zoe Flynn
Janet Lee Carey; Atheneum, 2004.
Gr. 6 th-8 th
ISBN: 0-689—85604-0; $16.95
Author: www.janetleecarey.com
Synopsis:
When Zoe's father loses his teaching job and book store, the family has to leave California and what Zoe calls the best house. Ending up in a small town in Oregon and living in the family van, Zoe struggles with dramatic change, embarrassment and keeping the family’s plight a secret from everyone.
General Review:
The situation presented will open the eyes of children to the plight of classmates who may be in the same situation. The family is believable as are the supporting characters, which is what makes it so believable. While one sympathizes with Zoe, the reader may lose patience with her determination to return to a life that is gone. “The struggles of this middle-class family to keep their heads above water are realistically and sympathetically presented.” SLJ August 1, 2004
Themes: Homelessness; Family Life; School Stories
Discussion Questions:
Standard 9; Benchmark 1
- Without naming names, have you ever had someone say something in class that embarrassed you, like Zoe’s experience with the pink moon?
- If you had to leave your home, what would be the one thing you would absolutely have to take? Why?
- Why will Zoe not tell Aliya about how she is living? What are the parts of Zoe’s life that are double?
- After reading about Zoe’s family being homeless, has it made you look at homeless people and families in a different way?
- Are any of Zoe’s plans realistic? The lottery tickets, Galaxy Burgers etc… Standard 9; Benchmark 1
- What is the secret doorway? How is it different for different people?
Activities:
1. Check out: Helping Families Hopelink www.hope-link.org Standard 9; Benchmark 1
2. National Coalition for the Homeless www.nationalhomeless.org Standard 9; Benchmark 1
3. Research what is in your town or community that helps homeless or poor families. Find out what these organizations need, then organize a class project to help one of these agencies. Standard 1; Benchmark 3 and 4; Standard 9; Benchmark 1
4. On her website Carey says that a child must have courage. What are the four requirements of courage according to Carey? Write how they apply to you and what you can do to attain the sense of courage. Standard 7; Benchmark 1
5. Have the local police or sheriff’s department do bicycle safety program at your school. Have them talk about some of the more dangerous area in your community for bicycle riders. Standard 7; Benchmark 1
6. Go to the library and find information about selkies. What other stories about selkies can you find beside the one Zoe’s dad tells? Standard 1; Benchmark 5
7. Zoe’s dad has her and Juke close their eyes for “movies of the mind.” Have volunteers from the class tell a story while the rest close their eyes. Standard 7; Benchmark 1
