More Than Grit:

Chapter One

  1. Psychologists suggest there are two common reactions to fear, fight or flight. When you are afraid, how to you respond? Why?
  2. President Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  3. What is courage? What causes or helps a person to be brave?
  4. What motivated Sissy to pick apples even though she was supposed to stay away from Old Man Morton? How do you determine if there’s a situation in which a rule should be broken?
  5. Click the link for directions on how to:Make applesauce

Chapter Two

  1. Sissy is self-conscious of her scars. What other “scars” make us uncomfortable? What advice would you give her?
  2. Click this and listen to a historical broadcast of Germany’s invasion of Poland
  3. List all the items in your home that require electricity.

Chapter Three

  1. Would you support Sissy for kicking Harold? Why? Why not?
  2. What is the best way to respond to a bully?
  3. The Lizzie Borden rhyme became popular as newspapers reported Borden’s gruesome murders. List popular slogans, phrases, rhymes, slang, that circulate today.

Chapter Four

  1. How can doubts hold a person back? What are the hardest obstacles to overcome?
  2. When have you had gumption?
  3. Click and compare prices from the past and today

Chapter Five

  1. Sissy’s family depends upon the radio for news. What are today’s news sources? ‘
  2. What is propaganda? Is it different from fake news? How does propaganda spread? How can a person discern between what is the truth and fake news or propaganda?
  3. Nazi propaganda operated on the theory that people will believe a lie if it is repeated enough. Do you think this is possible? What lies did Hitler promote as truth?
  4. Click and list the ways the Nazis spread propaganda. 
  5. Click and learn a simple embroidery stitch

Chapter Six

  1. When have you not trusted someone? Do others need to earn our trust?
  2. What is prejudice? What stereotypes contribute to prejudice?
  3. Different indigenous people groups lived in various regions. Research the native Americans who lived in your state.

Chapter Seven

  1. What makes a strong friendship?
  2. Why do you think the Wizard of Oz was so successful and became a classic movie which is still enjoyed today? What movies are popular today? Why?
  3. Write a movie review. Critique the plot, actors and setting. Include both positive and negative statments and back them up with examples that support your opinions.
  4. After you have finished More Than Grit, post a review on Amazon or email your thoughts about the book to me. Contact info is on the “About the Author” page.

Chapter Eight

  1. How can fear cloud a person’s judgment?
  2. Give examples of how situations or events in the past have affected you.
  3. Respond to Winston Churchill’s statement: “There is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” Would you prefer ease and comfort or adventure and risk? Why?
  4. History records regional and global pandemics or deadly diseases, including: The Black Plague, The Spanish Influenza, Small Pox, Polio, Ebola, Swine Flu, and Covid. Research two and compare their impact.

Chapter Nine

  1. What influence do Sissy and Lizzie have on each other? How do you influence or challenge others?
  2. What makes people feel jealous?
  3. What do you wish for that seems impossible?
  4. Read about an inventor (for example: Thomas Edison or the Wright brothers). What obstacles did they have to overcome? How long did it take for their invention to succeed?

Chapter Ten

  1. Sissy’s family ate mystery soup once a week. What have you gone without? What is the difference between something we need and something we want?
  2. Even close friends don’t confide everything. Why not? What would be difficult to tell a friend?
  3. Write an editorial that responds to Hitler’s vision to create a master Aryan race.

Chapter Eleven

  1. When should secrets not be kept? Can a secret become a lie?
  2. Why did Sissy cut her braids?
  3. How have friends supported you? How have you helped others?
  4. Thank two individuals who have helped you.

Chapter Twelve

  1. When should a person fight versus walk away?
  2. Describe a situation in which you showed courage.
  3. How can a person reach a goal?
  4. Write down a specific goal and list the steps you will take to accomplish it.

Chapter Thirteen

  1. How can a family name help or hinder a person?
  2. Has your family name affected you? If you could change your name, what would it be?

Chapter Fourteen

  1. Winston Churchill said, “We are masters of unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.” What does this mean? Give examples of how this is true.
  2. How was Old Man’s friendship with Henry Johnson similar to Sissy’s friendship with Lizzie Osterhagen?
  3. How are you different from and similar to your friends? Do you enjoy individuals who are different from yourself?
  4. Watch this five minute historical documentary on the Harlem Hellfighters

Chapter Fifteen

  1. Give examples from your life or history which support each of these points: 1. Success is not final. 2. Failure is not fatal. 3. It’s courage to continue that counts.
  2. Why doesn’t Sissy tell her parents about Harold? What would you tell her to do? Why?
  3. Would you have supported President Roosevelt’s proposal to change the date for Thanksgiving? Why or why not?
  4. Click for an explanation of Presidential Executive Orders

Chapter Sixteen

  1. Many individuals want to choose their friends. A small one-room school didn’t have many students. What is the difference between being a friend and picking a friend? What draws you into friendship?
  2. Are all friendships good?
  3. Winston Churchill stated, “Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.” List your interests and talents. What requires practice? What you will do to unlock your potential?

Chapter Seventeen

  1. Why is Sissy frustrated with Lizzie and Pap?
  2. How do you respond to others when their perspective and opinions differ from yours?
  3. Politicians continue to debate how and when our country should be involved in international matters. Should the US give financial aid? Import or export goods? Provide military weapons or troops? Should the US approve of or support other world leaders or rebel groups? Make a list of guiding principles or key factors for creating international policies. For example: Would the action or policy put national security at risk.

Chapter Eighteen

  1. Is Sissy foolish to push herself to work for Old Man and try to earn the deposit money? How do you know when to let go of a dream and pursue something else?
  2. Sissy created a game and entertained Ronnie with buttons. What made-up games and activities did you enjoy as a child?
  3. The bombing of Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. Military troops fought in two arenas, the Pacific and European. Research either the invasion of Iwo Jima or D-Day.
  4. Thank a veteran for serving our country.

Chapter Nineteen

  1. Churchill stated, “It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required.” What did he mean? Should students be graded according to their academic ability or their effort? Should athletic awards only be given to winners? Which is more important, effort or accomplishment?
  2. How do you measure “best”?

Chapter Twenty

  1. List categories of ways people can help others. For example: teaching, giving money, fixing something…
  2. Describe a situation in which a friend(s) surprised and helped you.
  3. Read about a deadly blizzard that trapped students in one-room-schools.  Schoolhouse Blizzard – Wikipedia 

Chapter Twenty-one

  1. Have you ever been afraid for your life? Share the experience.
  2. What gives you strength to never give up?
  3. When have you given up? Do you regret it, or was it the right decision?
  4. When plans fail, what or who do you trust?
  5. Read the historical fiction novel, The Children’s Blizzard, by Melanie Benjamin. This novel is for young adult and adult readers.

Chapter Twenty-two

  1. Sissy blames herself that Old Man is in the hospital. What would you tell her?
  2. Can you think of examples of different types of guilt? Do you agree with the following statement? True guilt comes when you are responsible for the action or event that occurred. False or inappropriate guilt comes when you feel responsible for a particular event, when you had no power or control over the outcome. 
  3. Write a letter to a family member and tell them how they have made your life rich.

Chapter Twenty-three

  1. If you were Sissy, how would you handle Lizzie’s betrayal?
  2. How does Father’s statement “any animal caught in a trap turns fierce to survive” apply to Harold?
  3. Think of persons who have “risen above” their situations. (Examples: Helen Keller, Anne Frank)
  4. Make a list of good character qualities that can be formed through hard situations.

Chapter Twenty-four

  1. When do necessity or routine dictate your life?
  2. How do you encourage others when they face difficult situations?
  3. Why did Sissy turn off radio and not want to listen to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow?”
  4. What does not encourage you when circumstances are hard?
  5. Click to make a snowflake
  6. Click to make another snowflake

Chapter Twenty-five

  1. Read the chapter quote. What have Americans accomplished that was thought impossible?
  2. How has the relationship between Old Man and Sissy changed? How has it remained the same?
  3. How did Sissy inspire men to dig up the telephone poles? (In the Historical References section, under the Family notes, read about the removal of the telephone poles.)
  4. Walk one mile. How long did it take you? Look up the number of feet and yards in a mile.

Chapter Twenty-six

  1. Why is Sissy unwilling to accept Harold’s apologies? Should she?
  2. Read the history of gingerbread. 
  3. Bake gingerbread cookies.

Chapter Twenty-seven

  1. Why didn’t Father tell Sissy earlier about Dewey Dog?
  2. When is it best to withhold information? When is it harmful?
  3. What is the best way to handle regret?

Chapter Twenty-eight

  1. What is the difference between deserving and earning?
  2. What gifts does Sissy receive? What has she given others?
  3. How does a person forgive?
  4. What gift have you been excited to give?
  5. Prepare a meal and eat by candlelight.
  6. Make something for a gift.
  7. Read “The Author’s Note” and the final page “About the Author.” Send an email to Gretchen

If you prefer these chapter questions and activities to be emailed as an attachment, contact me at: gretchencarlsonwriter@gmail.com

I Be Brave

Chapter One

  1. Why did Sissy feel like a failure?
  2. What’s the difference between mistakes and failures?

Chapter Two

  1. First impressions are important. What makes good or poor impressions?
  2. Sissy didn’t know what to do with Henry. What would you have done?

Chapter Three

  1. How does the community view Old Man?
  2. How does Sissy treat Old Man?
  3. For the backstory of how Old Man and Sissy became friends, read More Than Grit

Chapter Four

  1. What hurts family relationships?
  2. What steps can be taken when communication is difficult?

Chapter Five

  1. Henry’s scarred back reveals visible wounds. What wounds does Sissy hide? Why?

Chapter Six

  1. The evacuation of Dunkirk was codenamed Operation Dynamo, but it is often called The Miracle of Dunkirk. How did this event reflect Miss Edna’s chapter quote?
  2. Discuss “little” things, actions, or attitudes that make a difference.

Chapter Seven

  1. Click and listen to Winston Churchill’s famous speech as you view photos of the battle of Dunkirk (12 minutes): We shall fight on the beaches

Chapter Eight

  1. Why did Sissy lie to the sheriff? Is it ever right to lie, or is it always wrong?

Chapter Nine

  1. Are excuses like lies?
  2. There are physical needs (ex. food and shelter) as well as emotional needs. What does Sissy long for?

Chapter Ten

  1. Check this link: Living with a pandemic. Polio

Chapter Eleven

  1. When Winston Churchill was elected Prime Minister, he said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat and of victory at all costs.” How is this similar to what the professor promises to do for Henry?
  2. How do you motivate or give others hope?

Chapter Twelve

  1. When should an individual heed facts and difficult truths versus continue to hope and “fight” for a different outcome.
  2. How do you respond to unfair situations?

Chapter Thirteen

  1. Discuss both negative and positive labels we put on others and how they affect individuals.
  2. How can individuals change how others perceive them?

Chapter Fourteen

  1. Click for photos and explanation of trench warfare during the Great War. (8 minutes)
  2. Shell-shock was the term used for soldiers returning from the Great War with debilitating trauma. Shell shock paved the way to today’s understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Discuss Old Man’s symptons.
  3. What mental health issues are often misunderstood?

Chapter Fifteen

  1. Why do you think the mother treats Sissy as she does? What advice would you give Sissy?
  2. What is necessary for broken relationships to heal?

Chapter Sixteen

  1. Winston Churchill said, “One always measures friendships by how they show up in bad weather.” How does Sissy mirror this?
  2. Click and watch the story of Franklin D. Roosevelt contracting polio (3 minutes)
  3. Read how President Roosevelt hid his polio
  4. Should the press have shielded the public from President Roosevelt’s physical limitations from polio? Was it out of respect or deception?

Chapter Seventeen

  1. What causes jealousy?
  2. How is trust earned?
  3. Other than physical appearances, discuss how people can change for the good or bad.
  4. What can motivate a person’s change?

Chapter Eighteen

  1. Click for photos and information about Henry Johnson, a Great War hero
  2. Click for photos and information about The Harlem Hellfighters
  3. Watch this 5 minute historical document: Harlem Hellfighters
  4. How did you learn to read? Name your favorite books as a child and growing up.

Chapter Nineteen

  1. Discuss occasions when you have broken rules.
  2. When have you taken a risk? What motivated you?
  3. When is fear healthy? Not healthy?
  4. Click for photo of a child with polio in an iron lung

Chapter Twenty

  1. Discuss: “Most people want the same thing but have different ideas on how to get it.” Give examples of when this is true.

Chapter Twenty-one

  1. Miss Edna advised: “Don’t let difficulties erase the music in your heart.” Discuss different responses to discouragement and hurt.
  2. For pure silliness meet Bruce the Cow who has gone viral on social media

Chapter Twenty-two

  1. Discuss situations in which individuals blame others.
  2. Have you ever been blamed? How did you respond?
  3. Have you blamed someone else? How did they react?
  4. What is the antidote to blame?
  5. Discuss a time when you felt hurt and it turned into anger.

Chapter Twenty-three

  1. What makes forgiveness difficult?
  2. Aside from Biblical teaching of forgiveness, this article from the National Library of Medicine cites numerous positive and indirect effects of forgiveness.

Chapter Twenty-four

  1. When have you felt unappreciated? How did you respond?
  2. Discuss different ways to show appreciation.
  3. When have you given or received a surprise gift?

Chapter Twenty-five

  1. Sissy thinks if she stays busy, she can ignore the pain. Is she trying to ignore her headache or the hurt from her mother’s reaction to the cake?
  2. What advice would you give Sissy?
  3. For grins and giggles: Photos of baby raccoons

Chapter Twenty-six

  1. Sissy ignores Father’s apology. Why?
  2. Why does Father suggest they cancel Henry’s test?
  3. What makes Sissy so determined to help Henry?

Chapter Twenty-seven

  1. Why doesn’t Sissy care if she gets polio?
  2. Sissy was inspired by how polio didn’t stop President Roosevelt. Discuss individuals who have risen to prominent positions or had a great impact, despite disabilities or handicaps
  3. Be inspired: Meet Nick Vujicic, born without legs and arms, he shares his story in this 4 minute video

Chapter Twenty-eight

  1. Why does Sissy sing and hum, “Do Lord, oh, do Lord?”
  2. What helps you when you are nervous?
  3. What were the arugments for banning Henry from public school?

Chapter Twenty-nine

  1. Discuss Miss Edna’s advice, “When playing a difficult piece, keep your eyes on the music and never give up.”
  2. How do you handle tough situations and challenges?
  3. What encourages you?
  4. What challenges are common for students today?
  5. What advice do you give for handling defeat?

Chapter Thirty

  1. Why do you think the Sheriff is giving Sissy parents voice in the decision of whether to take Henry to his father or the Winfield Institution?
  2. Initially, Mother balks at going to the church picnic. What changes her mind?
  3. Why doesn’t Sissy tell Harold he is Henry’s brother?

Chapter Thirty-one

  1. For the backstory of the stolen five dollars that Harold returns to Sissy, read More Than Grit.
  2. Is this true? “Music and love aren’t free. They cost the heart.

Chapter Thirty-two

  1. How does Sissy respond to her mother’s kiss? Why?
  2. Discuss, “Music soothes the heart, but forgiveness changes it.”
  3. How does a person forgive?
  4. Compare the different ways in which the lives of Sissy and her Father and Mother changed because of Ronnie’s death.
  5. Many churches offer Griefshare for anyone struggling with grief

Chapter Thirty-three

  1. Discuss: “Music has limits. Hope doesn’t.” Does hope make a difference in how people respond to situations?
  2. When has life been unfair to you? How did you cope?
  3. What are the pros and cons for Sissy signing the editorial? What would you do?

Chapter Thirty-four

  1. Discuss: “Confidence comes from practice and standing up for what is right.”
  2. What builds or weakens confidence?
  3. In 1938, during a fundraiser for polio, a singer named Eddie Cantor urged people to send dimes to the President, and the White House was flooded with 2,680,000 dimes. Because of the Great Depression, most people couldn’t give much, but many could give a dime. Read more about The March of Dimes
  4. Can you think of other “grassroot” movements that have grown into organizations or had great impact?

Chapter Thirty-five

  1. Discuss: “Face an enemy with prayer.”
  2. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” How does Sissy mirror this statement?
  3. How does Sissy convince Old Man to drive them to his neighbor’s house? Do you think she knew she might need Old Man’s help?

Chapter Thirty-six

  1. Old Man said, “When yer called crazy over the years, ya start to believe it.” How did Sissy and Henry “yank his heart back where it needed to be?”
  2. Listen to I’ve got a home in glory land

Epilogue

  1. What Christmas memories do you treasure?
  2. What gifts does Pastor encourage the church to give?
  3. For the Christmas story, read Matthew 1:18- 24 and Matthew: 2:1-23 and Luke 2: 1-40

If you prefer these chapter questions and activities to be emailed as an attachment, contact me at: gretchencarlsonwriter@gmail.com

Thank you for reading I Be Brave! I’d love to hear from you, and I respond to all readers!