Rich | Discussion Questions

Questions from the Read Brave Saint Paul Team

1. The story begins with Free and Dyamonde in front of a store window. Free is grumbling about how much he hates being poor, until Dyamonde explains the true meaning of being poor – having no money, no clothes, no food, no place to live and no one who cares. Has there ever been a time when you really wanted something but were unable to get it, because you or your parents didn’t have the money?
2. Dyamonde observes Damaris reading a book, rather than eating her lunch. In fact, Dyamonde has hardly ever seen her eat lunch. Dyamonde becomes curious about Damaris and wonders who knows anything about her at all. Have you ever been curious about someone or something? Did you find out what you wanted to know?
3. One Saturday Ms. Daniel joins Dyamonde on a treasure hunt. As they leave the store, Dyamonde spots Damaris coming out of a white building, but Damaris runs away. As Dyamonde passes the building, she notices a sign that reads SHELTER. What is a shelter? Have you ever visited a shelter?
4. Dyamonde invites Damaris to her house for a sleepover. At breakfast a tear slides down Damaris’ cheek. Why is she upset? What is Dyamonde’s reaction to seeing her friend crying?
5. There are three topics that the students can choose to write their poems about: Nature, Make-believe and Home. Why do you think Damaris chooses to write about Home?
6. Dyamonde invites Damaris to her house for a sleepover. At breakfast a tear slides down Damaris’ cheek. Why is she upset? What is Dyamonde’s reaction to seeing her friend crying?
7. Damaris wrote her poem about something important happening in her life. What would you write your poem about? Why is that important to you?
8. The poem notes Free and Dyamonde write to each other all rhyme. Do all poems have to rhyme? What makes something a poem?

Rich

Read Brave Saint Paul is a citywide, intergenerational reading program set around a common theme relevant to the city. The 2019 Read Brave theme is housing, a critical topic in Saint Paul where thousands of people struggle to afford housing. Learn more at ReadBrave.org.