Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. List five things you think are probably true about life in America during the Civil War Era. Label each one either “know for sure” or “just guessing.”

Teaching Suggestion: The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg takes place during the American Civil War. Students do not need a great deal of background information regarding this time period to understand and appreciate the novel—but some basic prior knowledge is helpful. After students respond to this prompt, you will be able to gauge whether their prior knowledge is sufficient. If you judge that they need more information, you might use one or both of the resources below to fill in any gaps in their understanding.

• This 12-minute video from Captivating History explores the conditions that led to the Civil War and offers insight into how the war impacted ordinary people.
• This article is a detailed look at daily life in America during the Civil War.

2. What is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn about? What do critics mean when they call its hero, Huck Finn, a “rogue hero”?

Teaching Suggestion: The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a picaresque novel that alludes to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in several ways. Middle grade readers may have little familiarity with Twain’s novel and are unlikely to know the meaning of the term “rogue hero.” Before students attempt to respond to this prompt, you might offer them the resources listed below and then use the prompt as a way to check their understanding.

• This SuperSummary overview of the plot of Huckleberry Finn
• This article offers a brief, clear definition of the picaresque and the rogue hero and explains why Huckleberry Finn is an example of the genre.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Do you enjoy historical fiction (realistic novels that take place in the historical past)? Why or why not? What are some aspects of the American Civil War period that might make it interesting to read about? What are some of the things that might be boring, upsetting, or confusing for you, personally?

Teaching Suggestion: The intention of this prompt is to allow students space for their personal feelings about the upcoming reading and to encourage those who are not naturally drawn to historical fiction to look for positive aspects. Asking at least a few students to share their responses—or providing time for whole-class or small-group discussion—will create an opportunity to address any concerns students have about reading a book set in the distant past, during a war, or tangentially addressing slavery. It will also expose reluctant readers to the perspectives of eager readers and all students to broader perspectives on reading.