Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

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 is folklore? What characteristics do stories in this genre share?

Teaching Suggestion: Students might benefit from discussing the characteristics of the genre more generally before reviewing details and examples regarding the Black folklore in the novel specifically. It might be helpful to share a picture book version of a folktale with students, perhaps read aloud, so that common folktale characteristics can be pointed out. In another introductory approach, small groups might choose different picture book folktales (each representing a different culture) to read together, analyze, and share with the group.

• This entry defines folklore and explores different types and regional characteristics of folklore.
• This suggestion list from the New York Public Library includes stories that feature African and African American folktale figures.
• This article provides five examples of Black folklore. (Teacher-appropriate; not-student facing due to mature content and imagery.)

2. In literature and storytelling, what is a hero? What experiences do heroes typically undergo before they are recognized as such?

Teaching Suggestion: This novel in some ways follows the traditional hero’s journey narrative, but in other ways it tells a different version of Joseph Campbell’s mythic structure. Students might meet with a partner briefly to confer on the traditional definition of a hero; a worksheet or infographic of the hero’s journey map might allow for comparisons as they move throughout the novel.

• This 3-minute video summarizes the hero’s journey according to Joseph Campbell.
• This article summarizes the characteristics of a hero as they pertain to literature.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What is your “superpower”? In other words, what is a skill at which you excel? How might this “superpower” help you in difficult situations? 

Teaching Suggestion: Tristan’s gift is storytelling, which may not at first seem like a traditional “superpower.” Students might begin by working together to brainstorm a list of realistic “superpower” possibilities (e.g., kindness, communicating, compassion, keeping secrets, caring for animals, etc.).

Differentiation Suggestion: Some students may find it a challenge to name this kind of “superpower.” Instead, readers might work in small groups to list and explain the “superpowers” of literary or historical figures. Students could share with the class the ways in which those given powers are/were useful.