The Summer My Father Was Ten
by Pat Brisson
Summary

Every year when it is time to plant their garden, a father shares the story with his daughter about the summer he was ten. He and his friends were playing baseball and started a vegetable throwing game in Mr. Bellavista's garden. He explains how he made amends after they had destroyed the garden and gained a friend in the process.
Background Building/Vocabulary The illustrations may be a little confusing, as they shift from the present to the past as the father tells the story. Introduce the father and daughter in the present at the beginning as he tells the story, and look for the pictures to show the father as a young boy. Discuss the fact that the father is telling a story about his childhood and the illustrations are showing us that time period and then returning to the present time. This flashback technique is difficult for children.
Pillars of Character Discussion Points

Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Citizenship

* Taking responsibility for your own actions can be difficult, but rewarding.
* When parents share mistakes they have made in their lives, their stories help children learn.
* Honesty is its own reward.

Questions for Discussion 1. Why do you think the father shared a story like this from when he was a boy?
2. How did the neighborhood boys treat Mr. Bellavista before the garden incident? How do you think Mr. Bellavista felt as a result?
3. How did the problem begin? Why do you think it got out of hand?
4. How did the boy try to make amends with Mr. Bellavista? What happened after he tried to make amends?
5. Now the girl and the father have a tradition of sharing the story and planting the garden. Do you have any traditions in your family?
Other Books Cutler, Jane. The Cello of Mr. O. Dutton, 1999.
McKissack, Patricia. The Honest-to-Goodness Truth. Atheneum, 1999.
Ness, Evaline. Sam, Bangs and Moonshine. Henry Holt, 1966.
O'Callahan, Jay. Orange Cheeks. Peachtree Publishers, 1993.

Read Aloud Tips

Reading aloud and discussing books is of prime importance for young students as they develop literacy skills. Hearing stories helps students develop comprehension skills, critical thinking skills and understanding of themselves and others. It is also a fine opportunity to discuss the actions and decisions of characters in stories as they encounter life's problems. Students will come to you with a wide variety of lanuage skills and backgrounds experiences. Their experience will be enriched by the way you approach a book, helping them understand new concepts, setting the stage for the story and discussing aspects related to developing good character: the habits that we encourage to become thoughtful and caring citizens. It is always a better experience if you have been able to read the book ahead of time and have some ideas about what to talk about.

Set the stage by building background before reading. • Explore the illustrations. • Wonder together. • Have a good conversation. • Enjoy the story together. • Let the student take the lead. • Ask about the student's experiences and share your own. • Develop an atmosphere that is safe for sharing ideas.

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