Ruby Holler

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What social and emotional benefits do children receive from family members? What challenges result when the family structure is not consistent or present?

Teaching Suggestion: Dallas and Florida are orphans who have been physically and emotionally abused by their foster families and caretakers. As a result, the children have difficulty trusting adults. While being sensitive to students whose circumstances may resonate with the characters, students might address this prompt with silent reflection and a private response; in following up, small groups might share ideas on the importance and benefits of family relationships, and the larger group might contribute the possible impacts of a lack of family support on children in a teacher-led discussion. These resources for teachers might provide additional context, discussion points, and/or language/vocabulary.

• This article explores the connection between strong family bonds and child success (teacher-appropriate; not student-facing).
• This article discusses the benefits to spending time with family.

2. What benefits might people derive from nature? Does nature have community-building or social benefits?

Teaching Suggestion: Dallas and Florida are temporarily relocated to the idyllic Ruby Holler, a valley with trees and a river running through it. The setting plays an important role in the lives of the Moreys, Dallas, and Florida as they bond through their experiences in the valley. Consider discussing the benefits of specific elements of nature and speculating on the bonding effects outdoor activities may have on the characters. Use the links to further explore the effects of nature on people.

• This 6-minute video describes the advantages of nature to mankind.
• This article explores the benefits of nature in healing.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Describe a time when you were required to adapt to a new environment, such as a change of schools, school buildings, sports teams, or classes. What kind of worries or fears were associated with this adaptation? Was it difficult to learn the rules and behaviors important to your new environment?

Teaching Suggestion: Dallas and Florida are shocked when the Moreys—their temporary caregivers—do not frequently become angry or violent toward them because of their past experiences in foster care. Consider discussing the hidden norms or expectations that are hard to navigate when individuals are learning to adapt to a new place.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may find it beneficial to further research hidden norms and the places those norms might be associated with. Consider asking students to conduct research on the topic to create an infographic that can be reviewed as students analyze the novel.