ABOUT THIS BOOK
Thirteen-year-old Mahalia Moon feels abandoned when her mother suffers a mental breakdown, but a special friendship helps her come to terms with her suffering and to focus on the happier parts of her life.
The beginning of summer vacation should be joyous for Mahalia Moon. Unlike her older brother, Otis, she finished the school year with straight As, and she is celebrating her thirteenth birthday. Haleyís mom tries to make the birthday celebration special, but the pressure of supporting her family on a meager income and dealing with Otis, who is headed toward juvenile delinquency, drives her toward a mental breakdown.
Mrs. Moon admits herself to the hospital, Otis is arrested for selling stolen goods, and Haley is left all alone in her familyís small one room apartment until a social worker takes her to a group boarding home. During this time, Haley is employed to clean up the backyard of Jackson, a singing teacher, who is dealing with his own family disappointments. Together, Haley and Jackson find the power of friendship, and begin their journey toward a hopeful and forgiving future.
While the courageous battles of the Civil Rights leaders during the 1950s and 1960s played a significant role in obliterating Jim Crow laws, racial bigotry remains a silent threat to our society. This book praises African Americans and their struggles, celebrates their victories, and calls for continued efforts in fighting the quiet, unspoken battles.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Before becoming an author of children's books, Sharon Dennis Wyeth went through many different career changes. Her first job after graduating from Radcliffe College was as a family counselor at a day-care center in New York City. She then went on to become an actress, producer, and playwright--and, at one time, owner of her own off-off-Broadway theater. She was also a writer for daytime television, a voice teacher, and a Public Speaking Consultant. She has been a children's book author since 1985.Sharon Dennis Wyeth lives in Montclair, New Jersey, where she enjoys singing, hiking, cooking, and gardening.
TEACHING IDEAS
In the Classroom
A Piece of Heaven is a touching story that deals with many themes: sibling relationships, family, friendship, abandonment, and bravery. Through the character of 13-year-old Mahalia Moon, young readers clearly understand the power of friendship in the face of a troubled life, and leave the novel with hope that Haleyís life will be better and richer because of special friendships.
In addition to discussion questions that explore the themes of the novel, there are interdisciplinary activities that link language arts, social studies, science, art, music, and career exploration.
Pre-reading Activity
Begin by reading this sentence summary of the book to the class:
A young teenager deals with her family's disintegration with the help of a teacher who gives her a summer job working in his garden.
Then ask students to predict the situations of the novel. What could the family disintegration be? How could a summer job help? Then have students make further predictions by looking at the cover illustration and reading the jacket summary. Does the story take place in a rural or urban setting?
Thematic Connections
Sibling Relationships--Describe Haley and Otisís relationship. Haley says, "We enjoyed insulting each other." (p. 2) Discuss whether such insults are typical among siblings. After Otis is arrested, Haley says, "Heís my brother, no matter what heís done." (p. 110) Discuss what this statement says about Haleyís true feelings for her brother.
Students may enjoy reading The Watsons Go To Birmingham ©1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. Ask them to compare and contrast Haley and Otisís relationship to that of Kenny and Byron.
Family and Relationships
What evidence is there that Mrs. Moon is trying to be a good mother to her children? Why does Otis refuse to visit his mother in the hospital? Haley says, "It was almost as if our mother were looking for things to be upset about. Still, every evening I called her." (p. 69) Discuss whether Haley is in denial about her motherís condition, or whether she thinks she can help her mother get well. Ask students to compare and contrast Haleyís family with Jacksonís family. Jackson realizes that he hasnít been a good husband or father. Discuss how his attempt to improve his relationship with his daughter fails. Ask students to consider whether his feelings for Haley and her situation is his way of recognizing the mistakes he made as a father.
Friendship
Discuss the friendship that develops between Haley and Jackson. How do they need each other? Haley isn't very friendly to the girls at the group boarding home when she first arrives. Ask the students to discuss whether Haley is resisting them or is simply angry about her situation. At what point does she allow the girls into her life? Haleyís guest list for the party at Jacksonís house certainly indicates that there are people who care for her. Why do you think Mrs. Brown comes to the party?
Abandonment
Haley and Jackson come face-to-face with a form of abandonment. Haley feels abandoned when her brother is arrested and when her mother is admitted to the hospital. Jackson is disappointed when the daughter that he abandoned doesnít come to visit him. Discuss how each of these characters deals with their situation. How is the party at the end of the novel a symbol of hope that Haley and Jackson are coping and beginning to move on in their lives?
Bravery
There are many times in the novel when Haley must be brave. Describe her bravest moment. How is her bravery her greatest strength? Discuss whether Haleyís mother is brave or scared when she admits herself to the hospital.
Interdisciplinary Connections
Social Studies
A social worker comes to Haley's apartment and explains that she will have to go to a group home until her mother is released from the hospital. Then Otis is taken to a juvenile detention center because of his age. Hold a class discussion about such important social issues as group homes, juvenile detention centers, and the role of social workers. Invite a social worker to speak to the class about the various services that their agency providesÖthe support for families, especially children.
Art
Haley paints flowers on stones to decorate Jacksonís backyard. Have students collect stones of all shapes and sizes and paint different types of flowers on them. Create a stone garden in the classroom.
Music
Jackson is a music teacher. Ask students to select a music recording that Haley and Jackson might play at the party they have at the end of the novel. Have them share their selection in class and state why they chose that particular piece.
Science
Jackson explains to Haley that "Mental illness is like any other illness. People donít choose it." (p. 123) Divide the class into small groups and ask each group to research a particular type of mental illness such as manic depression and schizophrenia. Ask them to find out the treatment for each type of illness. Then have them find out what facilities in their town treat people like Haleyís mother.
Career Exploration
Haley and her family benefit from various types of social services. In class, brainstorm the many career options in the field of sociology. Then ask each student to select one of the careers to research. Ask them to write a brief description of the career, including job responsibilities and education requirements.
Vocabulary/Use of Language
Haley gets a thesaurus for her birthday and is constantly searching for new words to learn. Ask students to identify unfamiliar words in the novel and try to define them by taking cues from the context of the story. Then have them use a thesaurus to find other alternatives to the words.
Teaching ideas prepared by Pat Scales, Director of Library and Information Services, The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, South Carolina.
REVIEWS
"Wyeth's story provides insight into the reality of the tough issues faced by single parents in an urban setting."--School Library Journal
FURTHER READING
Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White[0-440-41372-9]
Journey by Patricia MacLachlan[0-440-40809-1]
Junebug and the Reverend by Alice Mead[0-440-41571-3]
My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt[0-440-41570-5]
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis[0-440-22800-X]
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
http://www.nostigma.org/
http://www.who2.com/mahaliajackson.html