Sincerely Sicily
on Goodreads (262)
What’s inside...
From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordana, a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride. Sicily faces challenges in her new school as she deals with prejudice and questions about her identity. She struggles to use her voice and take pride in who she is both at school and at home, where even her abuela criticizes her braids. As she confronts these difficulties, Sicily realizes that staying quiet may no longer be an option, and she turns to her journal to express herself and prove her worth as a proud Black Panamanian.
Age
10-13
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Sicily Jordan
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Sicily to take the actions she did in the story?
How would you feel if you were in Sicily's situation, and how might you react differently?
What are some ways Sicily showed kindness and how can you apply this in your own life?
Why is it important to be understanding and compassionate towards others, like Sicily was?
What did you learn from Sicily’s journey that you think is important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personally to Sicily’s experiences by asking them how they would feel in similar situations.
Highlight the moral lessons in the book by discussing key decisions Sicily makes and their outcomes.
Use empathetic listening when your child expresses their thoughts about the book’s themes, validating their feelings and viewpoints.
Ask your child to think of real-life scenarios where they can apply Sicily’s acts of kindness and understanding.
Promote critical thinking by asking what your child might have done differently if faced with Sicily’s challenges and why.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Sicily, the main character, learns the value of telling the truth after her initial attempt to cover up a mistake leads to more complications.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to practice transparency and honesty in their daily interactions, understanding that truthfulness builds trust and simplifies life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through her interactions with different characters, Sicily learns to understand and share the feelings of others, which helps resolve conflicts and strengthen friendships.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to consider the perspectives and feelings of others around them, promoting harmonious interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: Sicily faces several challenges throughout the story, but she learns to overcome them through perseverance and seeking help when needed.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the mindset to tackle difficulties in school or during social activities, understanding that persistence and resourcefulness are key to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights how friendships can provide support and joy, as Sicily navigates her problems with the help of her friends.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to build and maintain positive relationships, showing them the importance of mutual support and camaraderie in both fun and tough times.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for Actions
Explanation: Sicily learns that taking responsibility for her actions leads to personal growth and resolution of issues, despite initial fears of facing the consequences.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of owning up to their actions and understanding that accountability leads to trust and respect from others.