About This Book
Constance C. Greene's "Beat the Turtle Drum" is a poignant and deeply moving story about 13-year-old Kate and her 11-year-old sister, Joss. The first half beautifully captures their idyllic summer, centered around Joss's dream of renting a horse for her birthday week. Their close, yet distinct, personalities shine through, making their bond palpable. The narrative takes a sudden, heartbreaking turn when Joss dies in an accidental fall. The book then sensitively explores Kate's journey through grief, her reactions to others' attempts at comfort, and her gradual path towards finding solace and keeping Joss's memory alive. It's a powerful exploration of loss, family love, and resilience, often compared to "Bridge to Terabithia" for its honest portrayal of childhood death.
A young girl learns to cope with her feelings about her sister's accidental death.
Character Death
sadness_grief
peril_danger
Discussion Prompts
1
How do Kate and Joss show their love for each other, even though they are different?
2
What are some of the different ways people in the book react to Joss's death? How does Kate react?
3
Who helps Kate the most after Joss dies, and why do you think their help is effective?
4
How does Kate keep Joss's memory alive? What are some ways we can remember people we love who are no longer with us?
5
The book talks about Kate's premonition that something bad might happen. Have you ever had a feeling like that? How did it make you feel?
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