Bucking the Sarge
  teaching resources

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis
Summary

Luther T. Farrell dreams of college and becoming a philosopher. But first he has to escape The SargeӒs Evil Empire of slum houses and group homes in which heԒs trapped. While taking care of The CrewӔ at the Happy Neighbor Group Home and helping his friend Sparky try to get out of Flint, Luther comes up with a science fair project good enough to beat his archrival --and the love of his life, Shalya Patrick. If he wins the science fair, just maybe his dream will come true. And, in fact, his project is so good, it provides an escape, just not necessarily what he had planned!
Booktalk

Luther T. Farrell has big plans to get out of Flint, Michigan and away from The Sarge,Ӕ his slum landlord mother. He thinks that three-peating the school science fair will land him a scholarship and hell become AmericaҒs best-known, best-loved, and best-paid philosopher. Cause, to quote Luther, ѓthatŒs a job that theres gotta be a big demand for ґcause how many full-time, famous, professional American philosophers can you think of? ԓI rest my case. But first, Luther has to take care of the ԓThe Crew of five men at the Happy Neighbor Group Home, where heԒs been the resident staff since he was 13. Then hes got to come up with a science project good enough to beat his archrival (and the love of his life), Shayla Patrick. And finally, heҒs got to keep The Sarge paying into his college fund until hes ready to go. Little does he know that heҒs come up with a science project SO good itll change his life forever!

259 pages, 8th grade and up
Discussion questions

Warning! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don’t want to know what happens!

1. Why does Luther want to get out of Flint?
2. Who is The Sarge and how did she become who she is?
3. Would you like to have a mother like The Sarge? Why or why not?
4. Luther juggles a lot of things in his life. What are they? Do you think itҒs realistic for a 15 year old?
5. Do you think you could handle The CrewӔ? How do you think Luther manages it? Or is this a case of artistic license by the author?
6. What part does Sparky play in the book? Why is he an important character?
7. Luther seems to have developed a heart and conscience, even with a mother like The Sarge. How you think that happened?
8. What do you think of Luthers final escape plan? Will it work?
9. Luther has had a pretty difficult life. What helps him cope with these challenges?
10. Do you know anyone dealing with similar challenges? How do they cope? Or donҒt they?

If you liked this book try

* The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
* The Beast by Walter Dean Myers
* Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
* Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
* A Corner of the Universe by Ann Martin

Snacks: Try macaroni and cheese or Ramen noodles.

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