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

What internal and external factors impact an individual’s self-image? What effect might your own self-image have on others? What methods or tactics might help someone to develop a deeper understanding of their own self-worth?

Teaching Suggestion: Mason Buttle, the novel’s protagonist, has a poor self-image: he questions his intelligence, is ashamed of his home, and faces bullies who live nearby. Consider discussing the definition of self-image before addressing the related questions. Information, ideas, and language/vocabulary from these or similar resources may help students develop additional context on the topic.

• This article explores self-image, why it is important, and how to improve it.
• This article explores the ways in which individual thoughts influence behavior.

Short Activity

Colors have long been recognized as influential elements that evoke a spectrum of emotions within us. Reflect on the use of different colors and color combinations using examples you find in both art and everyday life, then describe what emotions you associate with different colors.

Teaching Suggestion: Mason associates colors with emotion because he has synesthesia.