What Jamie Saw
By:Carolyn Coman
What Jamie Saw is a book about a young boy named Jamie, his mother, and his sister Nin. The story starts off when Jamie witnesses his mother's boyfriend throw his sister across the room. Luckily, she lands in Jamie's mother's arms. From that point on, the book deals with the struggles they face as they leave Jamie's mother's boyfriend and brave the world by themselves. There are many different emotions expressed throughout the book such as fear, insecurity, soul searching, and finally the peace that Jamie and his mother find within themselves. The book is written through Jamie's eyes, the events he sees and the emotions he feels. Readers are invited into Jamie's mind and the thought processes he goes through. The main theme of the story is the fight Jamie has finding strength inside of himself to move on.
What Jamie Saw is a wonderful book. It is not one of those books that readers can leave feeling warm and cozy all over; but instead, readers will feel a strength that you did not have before. Jamie was such a innocent child, readers feel for him every step of the way. There are times in the story where you really do not exactly know what is going on. There is not much detail given as to what exactly the situation is. Readers are given a little and have to piece together the rest. Readers can also use their imaginations to make up situations to fill in the blanks. What Jamie Saw is intended for fifth grade and above, but anyone that teaches will enjoy this book. This story is highly recommended.
- Valerie Bradshaw
Carolyn Coman was born in Chicago, Illinois. She attended several parochial and private schools in Maryland. She then went on to attend Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. At Hampshire, she was a member of the very first graduating class. She worked several years as a hand bookbinder and as an editor at an educational publishing house where she developed material for children. Coman has also worked as a writing instructor at Harvard Extension and Harvard Summer School. Coman's novel, What Jamie Saw, won the Newbery Honor award in 1996. She has also written several other sucessful stories including Bee and Jacky, Tell Me Everything, Body and Soul: Ten American Women, and Losing Things at Mr. Mudd's. Carolyn Coman is currently working as a faculty member at Vermont College in its MFA Writing for Children Program. She has two children and resides in New Hampshire.
-Angie West
** Most of these activities are intended for a mature class that fully understand what is happening in What Jamie Saw.
Personal Journals -- Students will provide personal responses after reading sections of the book. Students should be encouraged and reminded that they should write whatever is on their minds.
Research -- Have students research any magic trick that interests them. They should be able to provide the origin of the trick, some of the famous performers that have performed the trick, and the methods for performing the trick. It would also be a good idea if they can perform the trick in front of their fellow students.
Writing Prompt -- Students should be asked to write upon certain situations that appear in the novel. These situations could include what would you do if you saw someone you were trying to stay away from, what would you do if you had to live in poverty, what would you do if you felt like a sibling or a relative were about to be in danger, etc.
Class Discussion Questions -- The teacher will provide several questions that spark a classroom debate or discussion. Discussion could focus on the responsibilties Jamie has at a young age, the conditions in which Jamie must live, how Jamie's situation is affecting his school life, etc.
More Research -- Student will investigate the circumstances of Child Abuse. What causes many adults to abuse and how does it affect many children? Also, students can research adults who have reformed and children who have gotten past abuse.
- Mike Kahn
Activity #1
Throughout What Jamie Saw, Jamie is interested in the art of magic. Link to the following website.
This website is written by David Copperfield who is a widely known magician. Read over his description of magic and begin to understand the beauty of this fine art. After reading, link to the following website.
Choose one of the tricks offered and try to perform it. After performing one, try your hand at many more. If you have any problems with the tricks, you may write to David Copperfield by clicking on the comment section of his website and use the address provided. Comments and suggestions can be e-mailed to him from this site as well.
Activity #2
In the story, the issue of Child Abuse was a prevalent issue. There are many places that work for the prevention of abuses to people and animals. Check out the following website dealing with animal abuse prevention.
Read the welcome page to the website. Then, click on the "Shelter" button at the left of the page and read the information about the staff. After reading both sections, answer the following questions.
- Where would you send a letter to the Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley?
- What are their primary concerns?
- What are some ways you can help the shelter?
- Are the animals' cages cleaned daily?
- Do the dogs get to go outside during the day?
- What do you think of this organization's beliefs and practices in regard to the prevention of animal abuse?
Another form of abuse that happens is to children. It is referred to as child abuse. In What Jamie Saw, Jamie witnesses his baby sister being abused by his mother's boyfriend. Look at this site concerning child abuse.
Click on the "How You Can Help" button on the left of the page. In a group, create a poster with five possible ways that people can help out the institute.
- Cheryl Delia
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