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The Bean TreesBy Barbara Kingsolver

Taylor Greer wanted to get out of her hometown so as soon as she

graduated, she embarked on her journey to the west. She ended up in

Arizona where she was handed a baby, named Turtle. Throughout the book, she built relationships, learned

life lessons, and ended up finding herself along the way.

Summary

Characters • Taylor Greer: main character• Turtle: child given to Taylor at a bar• Lou Ann Ruiz: roommate of Taylor and

Turtle in Arizona• Dwayne Ray: Lou Ann’s son• Mattie: owner of Jesus Is Lord Used Tires

and mother figure for Taylor• Estevan and Esperanza: illegal immigrants

that Mattie and Taylor help• Angel Ruiz: Lou Ann’s husband who leaves

her

Appeal• Easy to follow, page turner• Relates to our lives• Variety

–Romance–Comedy–Drama–Reality

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Goals and Objectives

•Immigration•Finding yourself•Independence•Motherhood

Relevance • The Color of Water: begins with two

different story lines (connection later on)

• The Catcher in the Rye: Holden leaves school to find himself, Sarcasm

• The Whale Rider: Kahu has to find what her purpose in life is

Originality Although the topics of the book are

somewhat similar from other books we’ve read this year, the ideas of the book are expressed differently because:

• She has help to guide her• More topics are introduced while expressing

other topics of the book– Immigration– Motherhood

Activities and Discussion

• Character Chart• Acting out different scenarios based on ideas

expressed in book• Road Map• Letter to Taylor• Immigration Seminar• Matilda (film)• Question - Where would you go if you ran

away? What would you do if you were in Taylor’s situation?

• Oral quizzes- extra credit, CANDY!

By Monica Sullivan, Leanne Stone, Meghan Brindley, Tori Smith,

Saki Hozumi