About This Book
Jennifer Armstrong's 'Mary Mehan Awake' is a poignant historical fiction novel set in the aftermath of the Civil War. It follows Mary Mehan, a young woman grappling with the emotional 'numbing effects' of her time as a nurse. As a servant in a naturalist's home, Mary gradually begins to heal, finding solace and eventually love with a man who is deaf. The book gently explores themes of trauma recovery, empathy, and finding connection amidst personal challenges. It's suitable for late elementary readers, offering a sensitive look at historical events and personal resilience.
While working as a servant in the home of a naturalist, Mary Mehan gradually recovers from the numbing effects of her experience as a Civil War nurse and falls in love with a man who had lost his hearing.
war_themes
mental_health_themes
illness
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Mary's experience as a Civil War nurse affect her at the beginning of the story? How does she change throughout the book?
2
What does it mean to 'recover from numbing effects'? Have you ever felt numb or overwhelmed by something difficult?
3
How does Mary connect with the man who lost his hearing? What challenges do they face, and how do they overcome them?
4
What lessons can we learn from Mary's journey about resilience and finding hope after hardship?
5
How does the setting in the naturalist's home contribute to Mary's healing process?
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