Bluish by Virginia Hamilton
1. Why is the book called Bluish? What does the name mean to her classmates?
To Dreenie? Is it derogatory? Do you think it is right to call Natalie, Bluish?
Would you want a name like this?
2. Why does Bluish's mom respond negatively to the nickname "Bluish"? (Did
you figure out the Black and Jewish connection before they told us in the
book)
3. Who was your favorite character and why?
4. What did you like best and least about the book?
5. Were there any words you didn’t understand? If so what were they and did
you look them up?
a. Throngs – a large number
6. What is a Magnet School?It is a public school offering special instruction and
programs not available elsewhere, designed to attract a more diverse student
body from throughout a school district. But over the last 20 years or so, some
Magnet schools have taken on an a more competitive aspect in that they can
only fill 10-20% of the students that apply to attend school on their
campuses. The current role of Magnet schools, therefore, can often promote
academic opportunity and excellence over their regular counterparts.
Magnet schools often attract “gifted” students who score well in tests and
receive good grades (about 1/3 of all Magnet schools use selection criteria to
decide who they’ll invite to enroll for that year).
7. What is the exact nature of Bluish's illness?
8. How does Dreenie feel about Bluish and her condition? How does the rest of
the class respond?
9. Why does Bluish say, “I’m sitting right here until they look at me?”
10. Have you known someone who had cancer? Were you afraid you would
“catch” it if you were around them?
11. What is Dreenie's theory for why Tuli acts the way she does, with her fake
Spanish and flamboyant mannerisms; (Lonely, no Mom) Do you think she is
Spanish? (
12. Dreenie thinks Tuli is needy and jealous? Do you have friends like that? What
is the best way to deal with them?
13. How would you describe each main character?
a. Dreenie – caring and concerned
b. Tuli – dramatic and funny
c. Bluish – courageous and persevering
d. Why does Willie call Dreenie – drain? Is it mean?
14. Dreenie is only 10 and taking care of so many people. How do you think that
would feel?
15. What do you notice about the language that Willie uses? “I know who your
Mama ain’t”
16. How would you describe the neighborhoods they live in – their cultural,
economic and family situations?
a. Each girl lives in New York City,
b. .Dreenie emerges from a monocultural (Black American) family;
c. Tuli seems to be at least part-African American;
d. Natalie's father is black; her mother is Jewish American.
17. Does the color of their skin arise in the story as a conflict? No
a. Dreenie simply thinks about it when she describes her friends the day
she visits Natalie's home.
b. Everyone — the three friends and their parents — is a slightly
different skin-tone,
i. From chocolate (Dreenie's own color),
ii. To honey (Tuli's color),
iii. To creamy and brown (Bluish's mom and dad)
18. Dreenie wants her own room? Do you share yours?
19. Dreenie describes some of Bluish’s looks: sad, afraid, watchful, mean,
pleased. Can you express these?
20. Why do you think Bluish made hats for everyone?
21. What is the importance of the Blue Morpho butterfly? What does it
symbolize? Bluish loved it because it was big and all blue! A butterfly giant.
But it is also toxic and Bluish thinks she is too. Dreenie says, no you weren’t
born toxic.
22. What is the significance of the surprise Dreenie and the class spring on Bluish
in which they take out and wear knit caps?
23. What do their Christmas presents to each other say about them and how well
they know the person receiving the gift?
24. Did you like the idea of writing a journal about a friend and then giving it to
them?
25. What can the novel teach us about how to behave around those with
disabilities or serious illnesses? (Dreenie learned how to act – “You tell me
when you want one of us to push you. Not too close or too far away. Be
yourself”
26. Do you think Bluish conquers her illness?
Activity:
Play dreidl with pennies