About This Book
Andrew Clements's 'Extra Credit' follows Abby, a struggling sixth grader who must write to an overseas pen pal for extra credit. Her assigned pen pal is Amira, a girl from a small village in Afghanistan. Unbeknownst to Abby, Amira's brother, Sadeed, is secretly writing the letters due to cultural norms. This setup creates a fascinating exploration of cultural differences, the importance of honesty, and the unexpected bonds that can form across continents. The book gently introduces young readers to life in a different part of the world while also tackling universal themes of academic pressure, identity, and integrity.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why was it important for Abby to get extra credit? Have you ever felt pressure about your grades?
2
What cultural differences did Abby and Amira/Sadeed discover about each other's lives? How are they similar?
3
Why do you think Sadeed decided to write the letters instead of Amira at first? Was it fair for him to do that?
4
How did Abby feel when she found out the truth about her pen pal? What would you have done?
5
What does this story teach us about honesty and communication, especially when trying to understand people from different backgrounds?
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