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. What does it mean when people say they are “estranged” from a family member? What are some of the reasons that family members might become estranged? If a child’s parents or guardians are estranged from other family members, how might this impact the child?

Teaching Suggestion: The plot of As Brave as You centers on Genie’s getting to know an estranged family member, discovering the reasons for the estrangement, and accepting that the adults in his family are imperfect and do not always cope with their emotions in optimal ways. This question is intended to ensure that students understand the concept of estrangement before reading and to give them insight into the confusion and struggles Genie faces. If “estrangement” is not a term your students have encountered before, you might show the video linked below or share a similar resource before asking them to complete this prompt. Some students may face similar struggles in their own families. If you have concerns about how to support students facing family estrangements, the second resource linked below may help.