A Discussion Guide for Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

By Candy Gourlay Tall Story

A D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E B Y T H E A U T H O R

Characte!

Bernardo grew up in the Philippines.

Bernardo grew up in the Philippines.

He wishes he could be with his sister in London.

Bernardo

He suffers from GIGANTISM.

grew up in the Philippines.

He wishes he could be with his sister in London.

GIGANTISM Is a growth disease.

GIGANTISM Is a growth disease.

You can get this tall.

Andi

Andi is short …

Andi is short …

but she’s AMAZING at basketball!

Andi is short …

but she’s AMAZING at basketball! She’s not sure about her long lost brother from the Philippines.

Think

Think

Bernardo is a Giant.

What do you think it’s like to be different like Bernardo

Think

What would you do if you were different like Bernardo?

Think

How do people react when they meet someone who’s different

like Bernardo? Why?

Think

How would you react if you met someone like Bernardo?

Why?

Se" ing

Think

Bernardo and Andi grew up in different cultures.

CULTURE refers to traditions, style social habits, beliefs, language, religion, food.

CULTURE refers to traditions, style social habits, beliefs, language, religion, food.

F i l ip in# Cul ture!

CULTURE refers to traditions, style social habits, beliefs, language, religion, food.

F i l ip in# Cul ture!

CULTURE refers to traditions, style social habits, beliefs, language, religion, food.

Engl i sh Cul ture! F i l ip in# Cul ture!

CULTURE refers to traditions, style social habits, beliefs, language, religion, food.

Engl i sh Cul ture! F i l ip in# Cul ture!

Yeoman  image  by  Andrew  Ga1  

Think

Think

What do you think are some of the cultural differences between the

Bernardo and Andi?

Think

Do you know anyone who’s culturally different from you? How?

Think

How do the cultural differences affect the relationship of Bernardo and Andi?

Think

Bernardo and Andi grew up in different environments.

Bernardo grew up in the Philippines.

Andi grew up in London.

Think

Think

Which setting is most like your own? Why?

Think

How does his environment influence Bernardo’s character?

Think

How does her environment influence Andi’s personality?

Think

How does her environment influence Andi’s personality?

Think

How has your environment influenced you?

Story

Think

The story alternates between Bernardo and Andi’s voice.

Why is the story told this way?

Think

Both Andi and Bernardo have very strong desires. What do each of

them want and how does the story show this?

Think

Filipino legends are woven into Bernardo’s side of the story. What

do the legends explain?

Think

There are magical elements in the story. Bernardo’s wish comes true and so does Andi’s. Do you think it’s because of the magic? Why?

More Reading

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce He’s so tall he manages to fool a dealer into letting him test drive a car. But is signing up for a trip to outer space a step too far?

Wonder by RJ Palacio He’s funny, smart and brave – but he’s got no face and now he’s got to attend real school. How is he going to cope?

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie Native American boy dares to leave the reservation to become the only Indian in school. Hilarious and sad.

I hope you enjoyed this discussion guide. A good book should make you think and I hope Tall Story has done just that. Thank you for reading my book!

Candy Gourlay

candygourlay.com With thanks to Sarah McIntyre for the Tall Story cartoon

jabberworks.livejournal.com