Major Theme:

Children make friends across racial lines.  Children see other children.  They do not see color or ethnic heritage, unlike many adults who see color and ethnic heritage before they see people. Most children are not racially prejudice.  Racial prejudice is a learned behavior

Summary:

Kyra is black and Christy is white; they're best friends in gymnastics class.  So when Kyra's family moves next door to Christy's, they both want to celebrate.  But the neighbors - all white - spoil the excitement; some vandalize the new family's van; one family moves out of the neighborhood.  Christy is furious.  She doesn't understand.  Yet Christy and Kyra remain strong in the face of racism, and their friendship with each other deepens.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

How do Kyra and Christy know each other?

Describe Kyra's neighborhood and tell why her parents want to move.

 

Why do you think Matt and Christy feel so differently about Kyra's family moving into their neighborhood?

Question #4

Christy asks her mother if she is going to invite Kyra's mother for coffee like she did Matt and Julie's mother when they moved in the neighborhood.  What conclusion can you draw from her mom's answer, "Well . . . not yet.  I want to get to know her mother better first?"

Question #5

What is your reaction to Kyra telling Christy that Matt and Julie don't want to play with her because she is black?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

Can you remember a time when you didn't become friends with someone because they were different from you?

Why do you think the backyard was suddenly quiet when the Kirk's arrived?

 

If you were dad, what would you have told Christy when she asked, "How can everyone be so mean to Kyra's family?"
 

What do you think the neighbors hoped to accomplish by vandalizing Christy's yard and the Kirk's van?

Question #10

What affect do you think integrated neighborhoods have on safe neighborhoods, good schools and the value of homes?

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

What do you think can be done to help white people change their attitude toward an integrated neighborhood?

This story showed how some white people are prejudice toward blacks.  How do black people show prejudice toward whites?

What suggestions do you have for building racial harmony?

Question #14

What message do you think the illustrator is making having two elderly white people help clean up Christy's vandalized yard?

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Who was the hero in this story?  Why do you think so?
 

Write a letter to the editor from Mr.  Kirk about the vandalized yard and letting the air out of tires on his van.

Pretend you are Oprah Winfrey hosting a show on racial harmony, write some questions you would ask:Matt and Julie's parents
The Kirks
Christy's mom
Christy's dad
The elderly neighbors
Matt, Julie, Kyra, Christy

 Write a different ending to the story.

Extension #4

Model a clay sculpture to depict prejudice and/or friendship.

Extension #5

Write an essay about the evils of prejudice.