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. How are characters who have a terminal illness such as cancer typically portrayed in stories (television, film, literature)? What stereotypes sometimes are evident in these characters?

Teaching Suggestion: As cancer or other serious illness can be a difficult and emotional topic to discuss, it may be helpful to review class norms and expectations on considerate listening and avoiding assumptions to ensure a community of safety and respect as you navigate this unit. This prompt might be used to introduce what is meant by the novel’s theme Sentimental Cancer Narratives and the protagonist’s disregard for their often stereotypical portrayal of characters with cancer and terminal illness.

• “How to Set the Stage for Challenging Classroom Discussions” is a 2-minute Edutopia video with strategies for engaging in a challenging and potentially emotional classroom discussion. The suggested norms might be displayed in the classroom throughout the unit. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)
• “A Daughter’s Story of Pushing to Try a New Experimental Drug for Her Mom’s Cancer” is a 3-minute NPR podcast with full transcript of the segment “My Unsung Hero.