About This Book
Shelia P. Moses's 'The Sittin' Up' offers a poignant and heartwarming look at a twelve-year-old boy's experience with death and community in a 1930s African American sharecropping family. When the family patriarch passes away, young Bean is immersed in the traditions and collective care of his community as they prepare for and mourn their loss. This chapter book gently explores themes of grief, family bonds, and the strength found in community support, all set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in North Carolina. It's a powerful story for discussing history, cultural practices, and the universal experience of loss with children.
"When the patriarch of twelve-year-old Bean's sharecropping community dies, Bean gets a lesson in not only what it means to lose someone you love, but also in how his family and friends care for their dead"--
Character Death
Sad Themes
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Bean feel when the patriarch dies? How do his feelings change throughout the story?
2
What does 'the sittin' up' mean to Bean's family and community? What traditions do they have for honoring the dead?
3
How does the community support each other during this difficult time? Can you think of ways your community supports people?
4
What lessons does Bean learn about life and death from this experience?
5
How does the setting of the Great Depression and a sharecropping community influence the story and the characters' experiences?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.