Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Just One Flick of a Finger

Author: Marybeth Lorbiecki


Illustrator: David Diaz


Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Guns, bullying, violence


Year of Publication: 1996


Publisher & Location: Dial Books, New York


ISBN#: 0803719485


Target Age Level: Late elementary (?)


# of Pages: 32


Quality of Illustrations: unique, colorful


Brief Summary: A young boy takes a gun to school to scare off the bully who has been tormenting him, and the gun is accidentally fired during a scuffle.


Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Probably only useful for schools where gun violence is a realistic issue. Upper elementary or later. Violent ending (the main character accidentally shoots his best friend).


Activity: Read the book, then have the children come up with alternative ending(s). How could the boy have resolved the bullying problem without bringing a gun to school? Children can write the alternatives in a journal and/or add pictures to illustrate.

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