Seedfolks

From Harper Children’s Publishing:

Questions for Group Discussion

1.)  How does the garden itself become a metaphor for what happens among its members?

2.) Kim starts the garden without even realizing it.
How does she do this? What are her reasons for planting
lima bean seeds?

3.) What does Ana assume about Kim when she sees her burying her seeds? How does she feel when she realizes her error?

4.) On page 13 Gonzalo says, “The older you are, the younger you get when you move to the United States.” What does he mean by this?

5.)  How does Leona affect the course of the narrative? How does she use the garbage from the lot to her advantage?

6.) List some of the problems that the gardeners encounter. How do they help each other deal with these obstacles?

7.)  Describe Sae Young’s traumatic experiences in America. How does the garden help her overcome them?

8.)  Curtis tries to change his ways as he woos Lateesha with the tomatoes. What does he do differently? What is he trying to show Lateesha about his values and principles?

9.) In the course of the novel a homeless young man named Royce comes to live in the garden. Describe how the gardeners’ attitudes toward
Royce change. How do they help Royce and how does he help them in return?

10.)  Why does Penny think working in the garden will be good for Maricela? How does it get Maricela to think differently?

11.)  What does Sam observe about how the garden is set up? How does he feel about this?

12.)  Sam likes to spend his time “sewing up the rips in the neighborhood.” What are some of the ways he does this in the garden? What are some of the things he does that many other people never bother with? Why do
you think this approach helps him get through to people?

13.) On page 59 Amir says that “the garden’s greatest benefit, I feel, was not relief to the eyes, but to make the eyes see our neighbors.” What does he mean? Give some examples.

14.) What does Florence mean by the word Seedfolks? Why do you think the author chose this title for the book?

15.) What are some of the stereotypes Amir has about Polish people, and how does his attitude change when he meets one? What does this demonstrate about passing judgment?

16.)  What are some of the ways in which the characters work around language barriers to communicate?

Harper Children’s  Lesson Plan for “Seedfolks”

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