Characters/Setting
What is the name of the main character?
Malian
This sickness spreads around the world and keeps Malian from going home.
COVID-19
This theme is about knowing who you are and where you come from.
Identity
This is the Native American group connected to the story.
Wabanaki
The book is written in short lines like a poem. What are those short lines called?
Verses
What does Malian name her dog?
Malsum
These animals live around the reservation and become important in the story.
Dogs
This theme is about people helping and caring for each other.
Community
Elders share stories to teach this kind of knowledge from the past.
traditional knowledge
The story is told using words like “I” and “me.”
First Person
What is Malian's special name for her grandmother?
Nokomis
These types of dogs do not belong to just one person and roam freely.
Rez Dogs
Malian shows this when she stays strong during hard times.
Resilience
The dogs show the close relationship between people and this.
Nature
Stories are told inside the main story.
Frame Story/story within a story
Where does Malian live when she's not with her grandparents?
Boston
Malian listens to many of these told by her grandparents.
Stories
This theme is about learning from stories passed down over time.
Storytelling
Stories often teach these about right and wrong.
Lessons
The rez dogs can stand for this idea of staying alive and strong.
Survival
Malian stays on this kind of land where her grandparents live.
Reservation
Malian learns by listening and helping her family during this hard time.
the Pandemic
This idea means people need each other to get through tough times.
helping each other (or teamwork/interdependence)
Grandparents in the story help keep this alive.
Culture
The main problem in the story is caused by this big world event.
COVID-19 pandemic