The Grumpiest Boy in the World
By Finegan Kruckemeyer
Zachary Briddling is unbearably normal. His
height is exactly the height of an average boy
of an average age. His hair lies exactly the way
of an average boy on an average day. And
when he dreams at night, he dreams the most
average dreams. Zachary wants to be different
– someone who stands out and is special. He
sets off on a magical adventure to find a place
where he might feel special, and in doing so,
he finally finds his own place in the world. This
hilarious and imaginative adventure is for
anyone who has ever struggled to discover and
embrace all that makes them unique and
special.
STORYTELLING
LITERACY
Reading (1.SL.5): Add drawings or other visual displays
to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas,
thoughts, and feelings.
21st CENTURY LEARNING
Leadership and Responsibility (K-12): Guide and Lead
Others - Leverage strengths of others to accomplish a
common goal.
STEAM
Science (1.S1.C1.PO2): Ask questions based on experiences with objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org
Use the restroom before seeing the show as we do not have intermission during our school performances.
Stay seated during the performance.
Be respectful to the performers and other people in the audience by not talking during the performance.
Appropriate responses such as applause or laughter are always welcome.
Food, candy, gum and beverages will not be allowed in the theater. Bottled water is allowed.
Use of cell phones (including text messaging), cameras or any other recording device is not allowed during the
performance at any time.
As you arrive at the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), pay attention to the
building’s roof which is made of complex geometric folded plates.
If you have traveled to the TCA by bus, a Childsplay Ambassador will board
your bus to welcome you and share important information with you and your
students, including where to line up.
If your group arrived by private vehicle, park in the lot on the map we included in your field trip packet and walk to the
front of the theatre.
A house manager will show you where to line up. As you line up in front of the TCA, look up and check out the sculpture,
Sea of Waves I by Ned Kahn, made of a sheet of metal with thousands of glass marbles that light up when the sun reflects
off the mirrors mounted on the steel cables.
An usher assigned especially to your group will show you to your seats. While you walk into the building with your usher,
look at the carpet you are walking on. It’s actually based on a watercolor painting by Hopi artist Ramona Sakiestewa.
Following the performance there will be a brief question/answer session where actors and audience members will have
an opportunity to ask each other questions about the production.
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org
What does it mean to be grumpy? When do you get grumpy? Based on the title and assuming that there will
be a grumpy boy character, what do you think the play will be about?
We all have similarities and differences. What is one thing about you that makes you unique and special?
Imagination is a powerful tool. When your mind wanders, where does your imagination take you?
What do the words “average” and “normal” mean to you? What is one word
that could be the opposite of “average” or “normal” and what does it mean?
Grumpy Word Bank:
As a class, brainstorm a Word Bank of synonyms for the word “grumpy,” trying to collect as many words as you
can. You’ll notice that the words you come up with are similar in meaning, but there are differences between
them. Discuss the differences. Below is a line from the play The Grumpiest Boy in the World by Finegan
Kruckemeyer. It is said by the main character Zachary.
“Oh nothing – just heading off on probably the most amazing adventure ever, to find the most not-normal place
there is, and just basically… melt everyone’s brains with my weirdness!”
Actors use face/body, voice, and imagination to communicate feelings or emotions. Choose one of the words
from the grumpy word bank and read the line in a way that communicates the emotion. Think about ways you
can use voice and body to give clues about the emotion you are trying to communicate.
Ask for some volunteers to share with the class.
Journey by Aaron Becker
The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague
Doors in the Air by David Weale and Pierre Pratt
King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
Free Fall by David Weisner
WHERE EDUCATION AND IMAGINATION
TAKE FLIGHT
Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org