The Red Pencil
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Publish date 2014
Grade 3
Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: HL620 L
2
starred reviews:
“A soulful story that captures the magic of possibility, even in
difficult times.” – Kirkus Review
“Told in free verse and set in the
South Darfur region of Sudan. . . this potent novel from Pinkney is built
around the distinctive voice and drawings of 12-year-old narrator Amira.
Pinkney faces war’s horrors head on, yet also conveys a sense of hope and
promise.” Publishers Weekly, starred review
Summary:
The
Red Pencil, by Andrea Pinkney follows the story of Amira who has recently
turned twelve and is now old enough to wear a toob. She now has new
responsibilities that require her to help out her mother. Amira’s best friend
has recently left to attend school in Nyala, which Amira dreams to do one day
too. But, her life is turned upside down when the Janjaweed attack her small
village of Sudanese and end up killing her father. So, Amira, her mother, her
sister and her grandfather travel to a refugee camp. Here Amira receives a
special red pencil when all the other children receive a yellow one. From here
on she learns to write from her grandfather and intends on pursuing her dream
of attending the school in Nyala.
Description:
diversity, culture, places, and people
Suggested Delivery: whole group
Electronic
Resources (2):
This is a link to a site that includes the summary of the
text, the plot, setting, characters, themes, styles, and symbols. This has a
free quiz attached to it. This can be used as an after reading activity.
This is a link to a YouTube book trailer. This was created
as a project about the text. This can be used as a pre reading activity.
Vocabulary:
Sifts – to
remove lumps
Genocide – purposely killing a large
group of people
Displaced –
to be removed from its original place
Renegades – a person who leaves/
betrays a group or country
Wincing – to move body in fear of
pain
Withering – to make someone feel
humiliated
Lurking –
to remain hidden waiting to scare/attack someone
Taunt – words
used to make someone made/angry/or embarrassed
Militia – a
military forced made of civilians to support the troops, normally rebel
Teaching Suggestions:
·
Use this book to teach about other cultures
·
Use this book learn about wars and fear between
different cultural groups
·
Use this book to teach about what other places
in the world are like
Pre Reading: Students will create vocabulary cards. These
will be taken from the word wall to prepare students to encounter words that
they may not know throughout the text.
During Reading: Students will use split page note taking for
this text. On the right hand side is for students to write down what was
discussed in class about the text and any important events or ideas from the
text. The left hand side will be used for students to write down key words or
questions that they may have about a topic or event in the text.
After Reading: Students will complete exit slips regarding
the text. The exit slip should contain 3 questions about the main idea of the text
that students should be able to answer if they read the text. There should also
be a spot for students to add their own opinion or thoughts about the text.
Writing Activity: Based on the text, The Red Pencil, by Andrea Pinkney, students will use information to
write a journal entry about what a day in their life would be like if they
lived in a refugee camp. The students should use information from the text to
support their choices.
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