James

by Percival Everett

Most of us know the tale of Huck and Jim from Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Here, Percival Everett (author of Erasure, the source material for the Academy Award-winning American Fiction) re-imagines the tale through Jim's eyes (though he prefers James).

Unpacking the decisions James makes to try to save himself and his family in the brutal world of slavery gives Twain's classic tale a deeper meaning.

(Note: While this book can be read alone, it's highly recommended that readers read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn first. That is offered as a separate Book Club option.)

How Self-Paced Book Club Classes Work

Participation in the self-paced book club includes immediate access to a set of resources and activities to be completed at your own pace.

Families are welcome to use as many or as few of the suggested resources and activities as they'd like to fit their interest and schedules.

Book Club Materials

  • Suggested Reading Schedule

  • Reading Guides with Comprehension Questions (PDF and Google Slides)

  • Vocabulary and Reading Activities

  • Writing/Multimodal Project Prompts

  • Video Discussion of the Book

  • Final Project Feedback Rubrics

Ages:

13-18

Content Note:

This book contains racial slurs and descriptions of enslaved people within the 19th century. Families are encouraged to pre-screen if they have concerns.

Supplies:

  • A copy of the book James by Percival Everett Hinton (ISBN: 9780385550369).
    Used and borrowed copies will work just fine! If your learner is going to participate in final projects and reading guides, I recommend having a physical copy even if they primarily read the ebook or audiobook. (Dayla Learning Bookshop Link)
  • PDF reader
  • Access to printer recommended


Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!