Downloadable Teacher’s Guide to Eve Bunting Books
“Jin Woo’s story is told in the present tense from the viewpoint of the baby’s older brother, a six- or seven-year-old named David, who is also adopted. He is alternately sad, hopeful, unbelieving, and excited at this change in his life. . . . David’s parents are understandably thrilled, with their joyous emotions captured in both Bunting’s text and in Soentpiet’s detailed, realistic paintings.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A solid choice for adoption shelves, especially for those looking for material on international adoption.” — ALA Booklist
Activities
In the story Jin Woo, the turning point for Davey is the letter he gets from his new brother — with the help of Mom. Often the written word expresses sentiments and feelings that cannot be expressed orally. Engage your class in a letter-writing exercise to their parents. Have your students imagine that they are the same age as Jin Woo and write to their parents about love, hopes, dreams, fears — whatever is in their hearts. They can then write a follow-up letter in the present time reflecting on what they wrote as infants and how they feel now.
Language Arts — Writing
• Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
• Writes personal letters
• Writes autobiographical compositions
• Writes in response to literature
