STICKS AND STONES

STICKS AND STONES by Patricia Polacco

Sometimes we go through hard times in our lives that help to cement unlikely friendships together. That is the theme of Sticks and Stones by Patricia Polacco. Polacco typically writes her books from her own life or her family history. Sticks and Stones is no different. After her parents divorce, she spends part of the year in California and part in Michigan. She convinces her parents to let her stay in Michigan to attend school for the year. The day school starts she breaks out in a red rash all over her face. Unfortunately, she is then paired up with the other 2 outcasts of her class. One classmate in particular picks on the three of them, but a bond forms and some amazing things unfold as the school year progresses. Be sure to read Patricia's Author's Note at the end where she updates you on what happens to the three friends later in life.

I have sung the praises of Patricia Polocco on some of my other posts. What makes her books so amazing is the down-to-earth real life experiences in which she writes from. We can all relate to them in some form, because they just ooze with authenticity.

Alongside Activity- This book will give you the perfect opportunity to share your own past experiences that you may have had being picked on, or it will allow your children a good platform to be able to share things that they have experienced or are going through. I think it is important to share that those seasons are painful. They can be so darn ouchy, but they come to an end. That end can happen any number of ways: adult intervention, moving, new school years with different student mix-ups, etc.