True Colors Reading Worksheet Session 5

True Colors Worksheet Session 5

            This week we read chapters 11-14. In chapter 11, Devon has to skip eating in the lunch room and Hana is absent, so Landry isn’t sure who to sit with in the cafeteria. She chooses to hide out in the bathroom and eat her sandwich and then spend the rest of the lunch period in the library. Why do you think she does this instead of trying to find someone else to sit with? Have you ever been in a situation like this? Write about what you would have done in Landry’s situation.

            In chapter 14, Landry goes to Devon’s house and sees all the pictures of Devon with India and Peyton. She thinks to herself, “I knew they were a tight-knit group, and India was her best friend. It seemed like everyone was already in a group, and I was just moving around trying to find my spot. I was so sick of being on the outside looking in. I just wanted to belong somewhere, and I wanted a best friend again. I wanted somebody who I could be myself around and talk to after school. Someone who I could just look at and she’d know exactly what I was thinking. Most of all, I wanted somebody who liked me more than anybody else — even if I acted like a total dork.”

            Here Landry is looking to find what some people refer to as their, “tribe,” which is where they fit in best. Have you felt like Landry has where you’re on the outside looking in? Write about a time that you were in a situation like that. Did anything help you get through it? Write about what would your ideal “tribe” would look like. Do you currently have friends that fit that description?

            Landry also has this thought, “Tori and I used to be able to exchange glances and talk about everything. I wondered if we’d ever start talking again. I missed her, but I also knew I’d never be able to trust her again.” Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend where you weren’t sure if you could trust them again and if things could ever go back to normal? Write about your situation and how it turned out. Were you able to be friends again or was the relationship never the same?

            At the competition, Landry has her embarrassing moment onstage and hears the audience laughing at her. She gets overwhelmed knowing she’s on TV and rushes to hide in the bathroom. However, she does go back onstage for the next round. Afterward, both the stage manager and Landry’s mom tell her they’re proud of how she handled herself. Why do you think that is? What would you have done in Landry’s position?

            There are several agents interested in Landry after how she handles herself at the competition. However, Landry’s mom has a lot to say on the subject. Reread this section where Mrs. Albright says, “There are a lot more important things than just being pretty. Sometimes people put too much focus on a girl’s looks to distract her from other things.” Mom went on a big thing about how people focus on the appearance of a woman running for President, while they focus on the guy candidate’s career. I made the mistake of yawning, which just made her mad and extended the stupid lecture. Mom went and got one of my teen magazines and started showing me how the articles on the guy singers focused on their songs, but the female singers’ articles focused on her clothes and makeup. “But guys don’t wear makeup,” I said.

       “Look at this cover. Tell me Drew Bernard doesn’t have eyeliner on,” she said holding Seventeen up. Ew. Drew did have eyeliner on, and it looked like he had gloss on his lips — not like the super shiny kind or anything, but his lips were definitely glossier than most guys. Okay, so she had a point. “And look at this,” she said turning to another page.” Salma Dagwood writes her own songs and plays the guitar, but the article focuses on how to get glowing skin like her, while this boy here doesn’t even know how to play the guitar he’s holding. And did you know Talisa Milan was an honor roll student? They don’t tell you the important stuff.”

After reading this section a second time, go online to find an article about some male and female celebrities you like or look at a magazine you might have in your house and pay attention to the different ways guys and girls are written about. Make a list of the times the focus is on the appearance of the girl and of the guy. What are your thoughts on that?

In chapter 14 we see several characters react to Landry being in the competition. Write down how Arianna, Ashanti, Devon, Hana, and Tori each act when Landry comes back to school. Why do you think each of the girls has the reaction that they do?

There’s a lot in this section that deals with, “playing small,” which means to minimize something you’ve done so people won’t talk about you or get jealous. You hold back on things you’re doing/have done because you don’t want to sound conceited or make anyone feel bad about themselves. Landry steps out to do something out of her comfort zone and finds herself criticized so she tries to downplay the exciting things going on in her life. Have you ever done this? Have you been in a situation where you were excited about something and then found your friends talking about you or downplaying your accomplishments? How did it make you feel? Have you ever done that to someone?

Read chapters 15-18 for next week! The previous sessions can be found here: www.krystenlindsay.com/reading-guide.html

            

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