Old Yeller

1. Structurally speaking, the development of Travis's relationship is very much like a romance novel. List the similarities. What appears to be the key difference? What does this communicate to boys about love?

2. The boy's book often links the passage to manhood with the "myth of first kill"--that is, a boy isn't a man until he kills something. What things does Travis kill in this book? Why does does he kill each thing? What does this suggest about ideal manhood?

3. Think about gender in this book. Look at the roles the characters are expected to play, and how they fulfill their duties. When Travis is laid up, these roles become challenged, and are revealed to be more conventional than natural. Overall, how would you characterize gender expectations--unfair, separate but equal, or something else?

4. Often, a boy's relationship to an animal is key to his development of love relationships with humans; sometimes animals act as bridges, sometimes metaphors, sometimes substitutes for human love. Do you think Old Yeller functions in any of these ways for Travis? Test each way of thinking to come up with your answer.

The Music of Dolphins

1. This book is odd--it doesn't follow conventional patterns of narrative sequence. What does Hesse attempt to do with the font changes and the writing style? Is she successful? Comment on the experience of reading this book.

2. Compare human and dolphin society. How does each species communicate? Does Hesse seem to be making a value judgment (that one species is better than another) or simply a comparison (they are different, and it just depends on what you're used to)?

3. How does music differ from language as a form of communication, according to the main character?

4. Based on what you know about child development, why do you think the child reared in the abusive home (Shay) stopped communicating while Mila didn't? Were you surprised by her decision in the end? Why or why not?

Because of Winn-Dixie

1. As in many novels for preadolescents (and adolescents), this story has an absent mother at its center. How does her mother's absence affect Opal's relationships with other people? What are some of the reasons that mothers are taken "off-stage" in these books?

2. Often, a child's relationship to an animal is key to his or her development of love relationships with humans; sometimes animals act as bridges, sometimes metaphors, sometimes substitutes for human love. Do you think Winn-Dixie functions in any of these ways for Opal? Test each way of thinking to come up with your answer.

3. Some of the things that happen in this book seem magical, but it is grounded in the everyday world. What things/events seem to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality? How do they affect your enjoyment/understanding of the story?

4. This book places a strong emphasis on community. How do Opal and Winn-Dixie bring their community together? How do these values compare with the turn-of-the-century values we discussed with regard to the Golden Age Girls book? How is Opal like/unlike these girls?

The Black Stallion

1. This story is built around some unlikely events and coincidences. List a few of them. How does this affect your enjoyment of the story? 

2. This book is the first in an incredibly popular series. What are the specific elements that you think contribute to its popularity? In your opinion, do you think the books are generally appealing to both boys and girls? Defend your answer(s).

3. Often, a child's relationship to an animal is key to his or her development of love relationships with humans; sometimes animals act as bridges, sometimes metaphors, sometimes substitutes for human love. Do you think the Black functions in any of these ways for the boy? Test each way of thinking to come up with your answer.

4. If, referring to the question above, none of these things seem appropriate for the story, (or, in addition to those things) what function DOES the Black serve in the boy's emotional life and moral development?

Where the Red Fern Grows

1. One of the keys concepts that is developed in literature for boys is the notion of honor. What is your group's definition of honor? How does Billy demonstrate honor? Give specific examples. If anyone in your group read Tom Sawyer, compare and contrast Tom's and Billy's sense of honor. (This would also make a good paper topic--explore the concept of honor in this book, Tom Sawyer, and Holes.)  

2. This book has tremendous appeal for all kinds of readers--boys and girls, children and adults. What specific features might account for this appeal for each group?

3. Often, a child's relationship to an animal is key to his or her development of love relationships with humans; sometimes animals act as bridges, sometimes metaphors, sometimes substitutes for human love. Do you think the dogs function in any of these ways for Billy? Test each way of thinking to come up with your answer. If none of these ways of thinking fully satisfy your group, how does Billy's relationship with his dogs relate to his relationships with others?

4. In general, what functions do the dogs serve in Billy's emotional and moral development?