True Colors Reading Worksheets Session 7

True Colors Reading Worksheets Session 7
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            This week we read chapters 18-20. The previous sessions can be found here: www.krystenlindsay.com/reading-guide.html

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In chapter 18, Landry gets to do a modeling photo shoot, but it’s way less glamourous than she expected. Have you ever been excited to do something you’ve dreamed about, but it isn’t as great as you imagined in reality? Write about or discuss your experience.

            It’s Thanksgiving and Landry’s parents and grandmother are there for dinner. Things are uncomfortable with Landry’s mom being on edge, her grandma being a bit critical, and the fact things are a bit uneasy between her mom and dad. Write about why you think everyone is feeling tense and awkward around each other.

            Later, Landry opens up a bit to her dad and grandma (separately) about how difficult it’s been on her with her dad living apart from them while he’s still working back in Chicago. Things feel different the next day when they go shopping. There's a lot of mixed and confusing feelings going on for Landry here. Write or discuss how this scene makes you feel.

            In chapter 19, we see Landry and another friend (Peyton) discussing their looks. Reread this section: “Peyton was also having hair problems in class. “I hate my hair,” she said. “Are you kidding? I’d kill for your hair. I’d love to have dark red hair, and it’s so thick—”

           “It’s like wire.” She wrapped a strand around a pencil, and it was curled when she unrolled it. “See? I wish I had blonde hair like yours. It’s always silky like the conditioner commercial where the girl keeps whirling around.”

            Landry is shocked Peyton likes her hair and repeats something mean Ericka said about her hair color. How does Peyton react to hearing what Ericka said about Landry? Do you agree with Peyton that Ericka is jealous or Landry or do you think she really doesn’t like Landry’s hair? Have you ever had someone make fun of how you look? How did you handle it? Did it change how you felt about yourself?

            Landry is invited to Tori’s house for a birthday sleepover with her and Ericka. Things feel different than their past sleepovers though. Reread this section:

           “Landry, your hair looked good braided last week,” Ericka said.

         “Thanks. Peyton did it on the bus,” I said. “It was so much prettier than just lying there like usual,” she said.

           I hated how she insulted me, but she did it in a fake sweet voice so I couldn’t get mad at her. Well, at least to her face. Sometimes she said mean things I didn’t even catch until I get home, and then it was too late to do anything about it. Ericka has always gone after my hair since last summer when we played this dumb game called “I Wish.” The three of us all had to say stuff we wanted, and I wished my hair wasn’t so light and straight. I said I wanted dark, thick, wavy hair, and ever since then she’s attacked my hair. Why had I been sad when she stopped talking to me again?”

       How do you feel after reading this? Why do you think Ericka acts this way toward Landry? Have you ever been in a situation like this?

          Landry decides to go home the next morning instead of going to the movies with the girls after the sleepover. She ends up going to hand out with Peyton instead. Why is her time with Peyton so different than her time with Ericka and Tori? How does Landry act differently around Peyton than her old friends?

       In chapter 20, Devon begins to act strangely around Landry. Why do you think that is?

Behind the scenes: Have you ever been in a situation where you weren’t outwardly insulted, but you walk away from a conversation not feeling good about yourself? Maybe you even question if the example your friend used to make fun of someone was somehow really directed at you.

             It was years before I heard the words, “passive aggressive,” but once I learned that it is a subtle way to insult someone, I realized I had encountered it many times. It never feels good to question a friend’s true motives. The, “I Wish,” game that Ericka, Landry, and Tori play is one I played in the 6th grade. I grew up with very dark hair, so I used the example of something mean I had overheard on the playground about a blonde girl for my example. Sometimes people pick on things someone is sensitive about and use it to control that person. I remember a girl I used to shrink around because I knew she was always on the lookout for something to attack someone on. Even now, I have people whose calls I avoid for the same reason.

            After True Colors came out, I had both readers and mothers of readers reach out to say that they (or their daughters) realized they were dealing with similar friend issues after reading these scenes. Is this something you’ve gone through as well? Write about how it’s made you feel and find a trusted adult you can speak with and share your concerns. You can always ask them to read what you wrote if you’re more comfortable sharing it that way than talking about it.

Read chapters 21-23 for next time! The previous sessions can be found here: www.krystenlindsay.com/reading-guide.html
 

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