Sticks and Stones
By: Abby Cooper
Sticks & Stones by Abby Cooper is a feel-good middle grade debut with just a dash of magic...
Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about.
Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.
Fans of Wonder by R.J. Palacio will enjoy this book for its similar writing style, compelling characters, and upbeat tone...A quirky, clever, and lighthearted look at what it means to accept oneself..." ―School Library Journal
By: Abby Cooper
Sticks & Stones by Abby Cooper is a feel-good middle grade debut with just a dash of magic...
Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about.
Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.
Fans of Wonder by R.J. Palacio will enjoy this book for its similar writing style, compelling characters, and upbeat tone...A quirky, clever, and lighthearted look at what it means to accept oneself..." ―School Library Journal
1. The note that Elyse got made a huge difference in her life. Make that difference for someone that you know. Either write a note and secretly give it to them, or paint a "stone", put a heart on it, and secretly give that to them. When you are done, write a quick description about the difference you see in that person, include their name, your name, and of course the name of the book, and hand that in that write-up as your project.
2. Elyse use to accept the way students talked about her in elementary, but is having a harder time sticking up for herself in Middle School. Using the stick figure provided, write the ways you stick up for yourself in that same kind of bullying situation. You need at least five different ways you stick up for yourself at school, home and in your neighborhood. Stick Figure
3. "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you," is a popular old adage that is kind of out to date in today's world. Words can really be harmful to those who speak them and those who receive them. Please use these words to create a poster showing us how words can really hurt you more than sticks and stones even can. Hopefully these two ideas will get your mind going on how you feel about the subject.
2. Elyse use to accept the way students talked about her in elementary, but is having a harder time sticking up for herself in Middle School. Using the stick figure provided, write the ways you stick up for yourself in that same kind of bullying situation. You need at least five different ways you stick up for yourself at school, home and in your neighborhood. Stick Figure
3. "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you," is a popular old adage that is kind of out to date in today's world. Words can really be harmful to those who speak them and those who receive them. Please use these words to create a poster showing us how words can really hurt you more than sticks and stones even can. Hopefully these two ideas will get your mind going on how you feel about the subject.