Zeely by Virginia Hamilton

8th Grade ReadingMrs. Keller

About the Novel Author: Virginia Hamilton Published: 1967 Genre: Fiction, Young Adult Literature Themes: Friendship, Accepting

Oneself, Taking Pride in Oneself Tagline: Elizabeth and her brother live

on a farm for a summer—and learn a whole new way of living and dreaming

Main Characters Elizabeth Perry (a.k.a. Geeder) John Perry (a.k.a. Toeboy) Uncle Ross Nat Tayber Zeely Tayber

Summary Elizabeth likes to invent stories. When she travels

to her uncle’s farm for a summer, she starts by making up new names for herself and her younger brother: “Geeder” and “Toeboy.” As “Geeder” explores the farm on her own and with her brother, she encounters mysteries that capture her imagination, among them a tall, proud woman who looks just like an African queen that Elizabeth has read about in a magazine. Elizabeth spins tales about the people and places around her, but she comes to realize that sometimes the truth is more interesting than make-believe. 

About the Author

Virginia Hamilton (1934–2002) was the author of over forty books for children, young adults, and their older allies. Throughout a career that spanned four decades, Hamilton earned numerous accolades for her work, including nearly every major award available to writers of youth literature. In 1974, M.C. Higgins, the Great earned Hamilton the National Book Award, the Newbery Medal (which she was the first African-American author to receive), and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, three of the field’s most prestigious awards. She received the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition bestowed on a writer of books for young readers, in 1992, and in 1995 became the first children’s book author to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, or “Genius Award.” She was also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award.

Other works: The House of Dies Drear, The Planet of Junior Brown

About the Unit Big Idea: Self-Acceptance Definition: affirmation, or acceptance, of self in spite of

weaknesses or deficiencies Self-acceptance is an invitation to stop trying to change

yourself into the person you wish to be long enough to find out who you really are

“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” –Marilyn Monroe

“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.” –Mark Twain

“You're always with yourself, so you might as well enjoy the company.” ― Diane Von Furstenberg

About the Unit Activities: Before, During, and After

Reading Strategies Writing Prompts Class Discussion Project: It’s a secret for now!!!