Book Detail

Tree Girl

Publication Information
Author:  Mikaelsen, Ben Illustrator:  
Title:  Tree Girl Date:  2004
Publisher:  Harper Collins City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  0-06-009004-9 ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:  
Family:   Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:  

General Information:
Book Type(s):    true story, fiction

HSE Descriptor(s):   

Summary:
Based on true experiences that were shared with the author, Gabriela, a Guatemalan girl who loves to climb trees, escapes a massacre, eventually reaching a refugee camp where she is reunited with her little sister, both of whom must overcome the trauma and horror of their experiences.

Teaching Ideas:
Although Gabriela often does not see herself as worthy, she exhibits compassion, insight, and assistance toward others. Working in pairs or individually, readers can select an example, find the passage and share it with the class. Pair this book with Under the Sun, about a boy escaping soldiers in Bosnia. Compare the experiences of Gabriela and Ehmet, especially the refugee camps. Students may want to explore in discussion or writing why Gabriela could no longer climb trees and what enabled her to overcome her fears. The Internet provides access to information about the recent military dictatorship and massacres in Guatemala to compare with events in the book.

Teaching Strategies:
bullet Discussion Webs
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/discussion_webs.pdf
bullet Helping Students in the Writing Process
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/help_writing_process.pdf
bullet Think-Pair-Share
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/think_pair_share.pdf
bullet Problem and Solution Outline and Text Frame
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/prob_solution.pdf
bullet Venn Diagrams
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/venn_diagrams.pdf

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Education > literacy
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > group > leadership
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > relocation, personal
bullet Geography > locations > countries > Guatemala
bullet Geography > locations > countries > Vietnam
bullet Hardships > survival
bullet Social Studies > sociology > social issues > violence
bullet History > topic > war > children and war
bullet Family > extended family


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