My Brother Sammy


Author: Becky Edwards

Author: David Armitage

Genre: English Literature

Award: Newberry Medal Honor

Theme: Not everyone in this world is similar. Each individual is considered very unique in our society today. Some people are born with advantages that others do not have and unfortunately, some people are born with great disadvantages in life. Sammy’s brother could be considered “autistic” in this story. He does not have the same abilities that his brother has or the same privileges that his brother has.

Grade Level: Second and Third Grade

Pre-Reading Strategies:

What do you think this story will be about?

Do you think one brother will be considered “more normal” than the other brother?

What makes each one of you students different from one another?

Discuss with the class the importance of diversity in the classroom as well as in the real world. Discuss various cultures with students and how each share some similarities, but also have many differences. Talk about how everyone should be treated the same regardless of their cultural or ethnic differences. I will stress the importance of being different and that just because everyone is different, we are all to be considered equal. No one shall make fun of anyone for being different.


Post-Reading Strategies: After the reading, the students will pair up with another student in the classroom. They will then make a Venn diagram of the similarities and differences that they have with their partner. After finishing this paired assignment, the students will then share their similarities and differences with the rest of the class. Each class member will not judge another student because of their differences. This paired assignment is very important because it shows that every individual shares some kind of similarities with another person, but they also have their differences as well.

Assessment: Going over the Venn Diagram as a class.

Reflection: This book goes directly with my graduate Multicultural Literacy class. It shows students that even though everyone is different, we all can be liked and enjoyed because of our differences.

Edwards, Becky and Armitage David. (1999). My Brother Sammy. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Grades 2-3.