Class Discussion Guide for Where Only Storms Grow
1. Understanding the Dust Bowl Setting
Questions to help students think about the time and place where the story happens.
2. Thinking About the Poetry in the Book
The story includes poetry that connects to the characters’ feelings and experiences.
3. Joanna’s Scoliosis
These questions help students discuss disability, empathy, and character growth.
4. The Family’s Situation
Focus on family relationships, responsibilities, and resilience.
5. Big Ideas and Themes
These help students connect story ideas to their own lives.
Questions to help students think about the time and place where the story happens.
- What is the Dust Bowl, and how does it affect Joanna and Howe’s life on the farm?
- How would you feel if dust storms kept happening where you lived? Why?
- What words or descriptions in the book helped you imagine the dust storms?
- How does the setting make everyday jobs—like cooking, cleaning, or farming—more difficult for the characters?
- Why do you think the author chose this historical period for the story?
2. Thinking About the Poetry in the Book
The story includes poetry that connects to the characters’ feelings and experiences.
- Howe says he wants to “unknot all these tangled feelings inside of me and smooth them out onto crisp, clear letters on the page.” How did his poems help you understand Howe’s thoughts and emotions?
- The poems in the book represent different styles of poetry including free verse, blank, verse, and sonnet. Which did you find most effective? Did you have a preference?
- Why do you think the author used poetry instead of just regular chapters in some places?
- How does poetry help show beauty even when the characters are going through hard times?
3. Joanna’s Scoliosis
These questions help students discuss disability, empathy, and character growth.
- What challenges does Joanna face because of her scoliosis?
- How does having scoliosis make Joanna feel at different parts of the story?
- How does learning that Nurse Evelyn has scoliosis change Joanna’s perception of her condition?
- What strengths does Joanna show—even when her body makes things harder?
- What can we learn from the way Joanna handles her differences and struggles?
4. The Family’s Situation
Focus on family relationships, responsibilities, and resilience.
- How would you describe Joanna and Howe’s family? What do they care about most?
- What tough choices does the family have to make because of the Dust Bowl?
- How does each family member try to help during difficult times?
- What do Joanna and Howe learn about their family as the story goes on?
- How does the family show hope, love, or courage even when life is very hard?
5. Big Ideas and Themes
These help students connect story ideas to their own lives.
- What does the book teach about not giving up, even when things feel impossible?
- Where in the story do you see courage?
- What message do you think the author wants readers to learn from Joanna and her family?
- How do storms—real and emotional—help the characters grow?