Tru & Nelle
#1 in Tru & Nelle Series
on Goodreads (1,875)
What’s inside...
Long before they became famous writers, Truman Capote and Harper Lee were childhood friends in Monroeville, Alabama. This fictionalized account of their time together opens at the beginning of the Great Depression, when Tru is seven and Nelle is six. They love playing pirates, but they like playing Sherlock and Watson-style detectives even more. It’s their pursuit of a case of drugstore theft that lands the daring duo in real trouble. Humor and heartache intermingle in this lively look at two budding writers in the 1930s South.
Character compass
Truman Capote
Harper Lee
A. C. Lee
Sook Faulk
Nanny Rumbley Faulk
Queenie
Discussion points
How do Tru and Nelle show the importance of friendship throughout the story?
What did you learn about accepting others despite their differences from Tru and Nelle’s relationship?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like Tru and Nelle help each other?
Why do you think the author chose to set the story in the Great Depression era? How does the setting affect the story?
What are some challenges Tru and Nelle face, and how do they overcome them together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their personal experiences with friendship while discussing Tru and Nelle’s relationship in the book.
Use the historical setting of the Great Depression to discuss how different times and places can affect people’s lives and friendships.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the challenges faced by the characters and challenges they see in the world today, promoting critical thinking.
Highlight the theme of acceptance by discussing how Tru and Nelle’s different backgrounds enrich their friendship and how diversity can strengthen relationships.
Validate your child’s feelings and perspectives as they discuss the book, reinforcing their confidence and promoting open conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story portrays the deep friendship between Tru and Nelle, despite their different backgrounds, showing how they support and understand each other through various adventures.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of embracing diversity and building friendships based on trust and mutual respect, which can help them navigate social interactions at school and in the community.
Example Lesson: Importance of Imagination
Explanation: Tru and Nelle use their imagination to transform mundane surroundings into thrilling detective adventures, highlighting creativity and play.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in play and problem-solving, fostering creativity and cognitive flexibility that are important in academic and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, both characters face personal and familial challenges but they learn to cope and adapt with the support of each other.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of resilience and perseverance in overcoming difficulties, equipping them with emotional strength that is crucial in facing real-world challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Tru and Nelle often step into each other’s shoes, which helps them understand each other's feelings and perspectives better.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop empathy, improving their ability to interact and communicate effectively with others, as well as to become more compassionate individuals.
Example Lesson: Justice and Fairness
Explanation: The duo often finds themselves resolving conflicts and standing up for what is right in their adventures, promoting a sense of justice.
Real-World Application: Instills in children a sense of morality and the importance of standing up for fairness, encouraging them to be proactive in issues of justice in their own lives.