Each of the four boys who take part in this journey has experience with trauma or abuse, and each one makes a journey into maturity through a variety of challenges. Discuss each character, the trauma they experience in their youth, and the discoveries they encounter as a result of their trip.

Teaching Suggestion: This discussion connects to the theme of Coming of Age and the Loss of Innocence; it may be beneficial to review the ways in which the theme is developed in the novella before students respond. Some students may have experience with trauma and may feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts; consequently, a private, independent response may be the best strategy. To better prepare for this analysis while reading the novella, students might create a chart in their reading notes with the characters’ names at the top and keep a running list of each boy’s conflicts and signs of maturity.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who benefit from strategies with abstract thinking, it might be useful to gather evidence with a partner or small group before addressing the prompt. Students might, for example, create a matrix with four rows for each of the four boys and two columns, one for childhood traumas and the other for accomplishments on their journey.