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Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis

Summary

When twelve-year-old Willa Jo climbs onto the roof at Aunt Patty's house to see the sunrise, she never expects to stay there all day. But once she's up there, Willa Jo can't seem to come down. Coming down means having to explain herself. And how can she explain?

After Baby died, Little Sister stopped talking. Then Aunt Patty took the girls away from Mom to give her time to pull herself together. Aunt Patty has a million rules about everything, and she seems to have forgotten that Willa Jo and Little Sister are trying to cope with loosing Baby and missing their Mom something fierce. What will it take for Willa Jo to come off the roof?

211 pages, 4th grade and up

Discussion questions

Spoiler alert! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

  1. At the opening of the novel, Willa Jo is up on the roof. Why do you think she chose the roof as a place to spend her day?
  2. Describe Aunt Patty. What are her strengths? What are her faults?
  3. On page 37 Aunt Patty says, "'I declare, Willa Jo . . . If I didn't undestand you do well, I wouldn't understand you at all.'" What does this mean? How are Aunt Patty and Willa Jo alike?
  4. There are many funny moments in this book. Find a part that made you smile and read it aloud to the group.
  5. The author tells us right away that the family has lost their baby, but she doesn't tell us how. Did that motivate you to keep reading or was it frustrating?
  6. Willa Jo finds friend in Elizabeth Finger who lives across the street. What is the Finger household like?
  7. Why doesn't Little Sister speak?
  8. Isaac Finger becomes Little Sister's friend. How is he able to communicate with her?
  9. Sunday School turns out to be a disaster for Willa Jo and Little Sister. What happened? Do you think the girls were in the right?
  10. How does Aunt Patty eventually compromise with the rest of the family?
  11. What is it that Unlce Hob learned from his summer with his grandfather? Do you think it's important? In what way?
  12. When Little Sister finally speaks, she says, "We were getting near to Baby." (208). What does this mean? Did they do it?

Snacks: cookies and chocolate milk

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