These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel.

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”/Personal Response Prompt

What are various ways in which someone might be excluded from a group or activity? Has this ever happened to you, or have you ever seen this happen to peers? What were the emotional reactions of those involved? Is there ever a valid reason to exclude someone from a group? You can use personal experiences in your written response if you are able and willing to do so; if not, speculate on how you or others might react in the situation.

Teaching Suggestion: Depending on the background and personal experiences of class members, students can share their responses with peers, submit them to the teacher for feedback, or simply keep the responses to themselves. Connect to the novel by explaining that Hanna will quickly see the attempt by others to exclude her from their daily routines; use the topic of the question to discuss the novel’s theme of The Struggle for Acceptance and Inclusivity.

Post-Reading Analysis

What storytelling techniques does the author employ to develop the character of Mama, though Mama died years before the story opens? (Consider Park’s use of both direct and indirect characterization.) How does Hanna’s character arc develop as a result of Mama’s influence?

Teaching Suggestion: The author uses memories, flashbacks, dialogue about Mama, Mama’s sayings and advice, and symbolism of objects like the button box and lotus flower to characterize Mama. Hanna figuratively “reaches” for Mama in many situations, from offering soup to the Native women in Chapter 1 to the moment she bravely asks for Bess’s help in Chapter 24. The novel is a study in character arc, as Hanna matures and changes under the guidance of an archetypal Mentor who is no longer physically there but whose influence lives on.

• This brief overview with examples from MasterClass discusses character arc and will help students trace Hanna’s development over the story.