Discussion Questions

1. Why is Julia against doing the silkworm project?

2. What does Patrick do to try and convince Julia that the silkworm project is American?

3. How does Julia view her cultural heritage?

4. How does Patrick feel about Julia's heritage in comparison to his own?

5. How does Julia's mom feel about black people?

6. How does Julia feel when Mr. Dixon thinks she is Chinese? Why does she feel this way?

7. Describe the relationship between Julia and her younger brother? Is it a typical relationship? How does it evolve during the book?

8. How did you feel about the communication between Julia and the author? (Follow-up: Do you feel it added or distracted from the story? Why?)

9. What does Julia learn from Mr. Maxwell about sustainable farming? Why doesn't everyone use this method?

10. What do Julia and Patrick do to their silkworm project to make it a cycle like sustainable farming?

11. What does Julia decide to embroider with the silk? Why did she pick this?

12. What is Julia's reaction when she discovers how she and Patrick will get the silk from the cocoons?

13. What is the compromise Julia makes in order to complete the project?

14. What does Kenny do to cheer up Julia after they boil the cocoons?