Major Theme:

Mildred D. Taylor continues her stories about the Logan family coping with racial prejudice in the Deep South.  This story takes place during the 1930's, a period of financial hardships known as the Great Depression.  Many of the injustices that blacks had to endure were centered upon the "false pride" that motivated poor, uneducated whites to justify their superiority to blacks.  It is the classic case of putting someone else down in order to make yourself feel better

Summary:

This book offers a glimpse into the life of the rural South and Mildred D. Taylor has captured the rhythm and simplicity of southern dialect.
Jeremy Simms watches from the porch of the general store as the weekly bus from Jackson comes through his town.  His neighbor Stacey Logan and Stacey's brothers and sister are there to see their grandmother, Big Ma, off on a trip.  Jeremy's friend Josias Williams is taking the bus to a lumberin' job on the Natchez Trace - a job payin' real money - a luxury during The Great Depression.  But Josias and the Logans are black, and in Mississippi in the 1930's black people can't ride the bus if that means there won't be enough room for white people to ride.  When several white passengers arrive at the last minute, the bus driver sends Josias, Rudine Johnson, her mother, and Big Ma, off the bus.  Then comes a terrifying moment - a day of tragedy - that unites all the townspeople in a nightmare that will change their lives forever

Question #1

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Question #3

There were numerous examples in this story of racial prejudice.  Tell one or two that touched you as completely unfair.  Tell why you think they were so unfair

John Wallace seemed to especially nice to Miz Hattie McElroy.  She was called quality folks.  Why do you think John Wallace seemed to cater to Miz McElroy?

eremy Simms seems different than his father Charlie Simms or his brothers R.W. and Melvin.  What were the differences?

Question #4

Josias lied when he said he was goin' to help a sick cousin.  Do you consider this a brave or cowardly thing for Josias to do?  Why do you think so

Question #5

Why do you think it was so important for Charlie Simms to feel he was better than blacks?

 

Question #6

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Question #9

Josias got angry when he was forced to lie to Charlie Simms and Stacey Logan got angry that the seats in the front of the bus were reserved for white folks, forcing his grandma to sit in the back of the bus.  Caroline's face was set and it was set hard when she had to get off the bus.  If they were so angry why do something about the injustices?

Throughout the story, there were indications that there would be a problem on the bridge.  List he clues you used to predict that there would be a big problem on the bridge

Josias told Jeremy that the Lord worked in mysterious ways.  Jeremy wondered why Miz Hattie and Grace-Anne were on the bus, and Josias, Big Ma and Rudine and her mama were not. Jeremy was thinking if the people on the bus were being punished for what happened this day.  What do you think?

Who was the hero in this story?  Tell why you think so

Question #10

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Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

Write a dramatic newspaper headline about the bus crash

Write an obituary for Miz Hattie and Grace-Anne.

You are an on-the-scene-newspaper reporter.  Write a first hand description of the bus wreck.  Include  Who, What, Where, When, How

Extension #4

You are a newspaper photographer.  Draw a picture to represent some photos you took the day of the bus crash.
 

Extension #5

Pretend you are the anchor of the 5 P.M. Newcast.  Orally present your report to the class of the tragic bus accident.


Extension #6

Plan a debate about the injustices of the rural South before the Civil Rights Movement.


Extension #7

Research the events that led up to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's.