Discussion Questions and Topics
(Select according to age, maturity and experience)
Questions About Story:
- Have you ever wanted something so much that you couldn’t think of anything else and tried every way possible to get it that was right?
- How many ways did Jed try to get enough money to buy Dusty?
- Did Jed’s family help? What did his parents think about his trying to buy Dusty? Did they care that Jed was likely not going to get Dusty? How do you know?
- What was special to Jed about the tree he went to sit in after talking to Mr. Ural? Do you have a place like that?
- Why didn’t Mr. Ural allow Jed to work off the remaining dollars to buy Dusty? Was he just being mean?
- When Jed and Tommy looked around the county fair, why didn’t they go on any of the rides or even buy any cotton candy?
- How did Jed feel about the pony ring and its ponies?
- What made Jed even more worried about the outcome of the auction?
- Would you have gone to an auction alone to bid for something you wanted? Why or why not?
- How did the other people at the auction feel about Jed’s bidding for Dusty? How do you know?
- How did Tommy help Jed?
- What idea did Jed get from Tommy?
- Why was Tommy’s Uncle Joe shocked by what Jed said and did?
- Did you ever give something away to protect someone or something you love?
- How does working together help get what you want?
- How did Uncle Joe and Tommy’s and Jed’s families work out the ownership of Dusty so it was fair to all?
- When is cooperation and good planning with other people a good idea? Can you think of examples of when you’ve seen this or when you think it should be tried? What are the advantages? What disadvantages may there be?
- What do you think about Jed’s saying that he doesn’t think “an animal can ever truly belong to someone”? Can an animal be your friend, and can you own a friend? Can you be their guardian? Is this the same for wild animals as for pets or farm animals? How should we treat and relate to animals?
The Vocabulary Below May Be New to Some Young Readers:
Adopted
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Exhibits
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Manger
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Rubdowns
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Ambitious
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Forelock
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Molasses
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Scruffy
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Auction
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Forged
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Muzzle
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Shied
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Auctioneer
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Frowning
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Nicker
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Spigot
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Bid
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Gavel
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Nuzzle
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Squealed
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Bleachers
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Graze
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Outbid
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Squirming
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Burrs
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Grooves
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Pavilion
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Stalls
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Cigarette
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Grunted
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Perky
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Stock pens
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City slicker
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Guardians
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Pitchfork
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Studebaker
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Clenched
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Hooves
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Plank
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Sword
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Clung
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Industrious
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Plump
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Tether
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Currycomb
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Jarring
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Polka dots
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Tractor
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Doctored
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Jouncing
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Reapers
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Wallet
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Eased
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Limb
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Reckon
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Wavered
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