Reinforce the Skills
Literature Extension Activity
The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote
Reading Level: Grade 5 and up
Truman Capote wrote The Thanksgiving Visitor for adults, but this picture book version is a wonderful read-aloud for third- and fourth-graders and a great self-reading book for grades five and up. The story's events, relationships, and flawed characters are guaranteed to spark lively discussions about such issues as bullying and bystander behavior, anger management, empathy, and friendship. (Note: Teachers should be aware that the term "sonofabitch" is used in the story.)
The Story
The kids at school fear Odd, but no one's fear is as constant as Buddy's—he is Odd's favorite target. The bullying occurs daily, before school and after, as Buddy prays that the harassment will stop.
At home, Buddy repeatedly tells his elderly cousin and best friend, Miss Sook, about Odd's actions. Miss Sook invites Odd to the family's Thanksgiving celebration because she believes that the boys will be able to resolve their differences if they get to know one another.
Odd shows up for the holiday. Later, Buddy witnesses Odd stealing Miss Sook's beloved cameo. When everyone is seated at the dinner table, he exposes Odd's crime. Miss Sook reluctantly checks her jewelry box, then lies to protect Odd in front of the guests. But Odd confesses to the theft and leaves after paying his respects to Miss Sook.
Buddy is scolded for deliberately disgracing Odd in front of the others. Miss Sook explains that although Odd was wrong to take the cameo, Buddy doesn't really know Odd's intentions and should have no reason to think he meant to harm anyone. Buddy's actions, on the other hand, were far more serious in Miss Sook's eyes. She calls what he did "deliberate cruelty" and says, "All else can be forgiven. That, never."
Although Buddy's first reaction is to wish he had come up with a better plan of revenge, eventually Miss Sook's message sinks in. As the story closes, Odd stops bothering Buddy for good. No reason is given for this, but the reader can infer that Odd is ashamed of—and that he possibly learned from—the events of that Thanksgiving Day.
Discussion Questions
- Consider Buddy's description of how some kids watched as he was bullied: "Usually a circle of kids ganged around to titter, or pretend to; they didn't really think it funny; but Odd made them nervous and ready to please." Why do you think that nobody stepped in to help Buddy? List some ways you could help if you were a bystander in a similar situation.
- Miss Armstrong punished Buddy for his outburst and use of inappropriate language. Why do you suppose she did not punish Odd for harassing Buddy? Brainstorm other ways in which a child could report bullying to an adult. Which ways might be most effective?
- Buddy explained that he hated school, but only because of Odd Henderson. How might Buddy's situation affect his schoolwork?
- Miss Sook was willing to overlook Odd's behavior because of his difficult home life. Do you agree with her that Odd couldn't help acting "ugly"? Why or why not?
- Why do you think Odd accepted Miss Sook's invitation to Thanksgiving dinner?
- Imagine that you are Odd, and you've just noticed the cameo in the cigar box. What thoughts are running through your mind as you reach in and take it? Why do you want it? What is it worth to you? Now imagine that you are Miss Sook. What is the cameo worth to you? Why?
- Miss Sook lied to protect Odd, and Buddy felt that she had betrayed their friendship. Did she? Explain your thinking.
- By the end of Thanksgiving, Buddy thought, "Odd Henderson had emerged-how? why?—as someone superior to me, even more honest" (p. 35). In your opinion, was Odd more honest than Buddy? Explain your response.
- Why do you think Odd stopped bullying Buddy? Do you think it was a realistic outcome? Why or why not?
By Lisa L. Owens
Writer, editor, and reviewer of works for children and young adults