Never Tell a Lie ... Unless You Have To

Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

Hello, Readers!

This week 4th grade book club members are discussing Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm. Full of Beans seamlessly blends historical and cultural information into a humorous story that takes place in Key West during the Great Depression.

The protagonist, Beans, is a very likable character who makes some mistakes and does the wrong things for the right reasons. He is a character who learns and grows—like any child would.

Beans Curry has plans. Big plans. He owns this town. He and his gang of barefoot buddies know everyone in Key West, and they know how to get things done -- and get paid.

Most of the time, anyway.

Now it's the middle of the Great Depression, and times are tough. There are no jobs and everyone is out for themselves, which means it's hard for a kid to make a cent. Luckily, Beans isn't any kid.

But not every plot goes according to plan . . .

Source: book jacket

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. From the beginning of the book, we learn how Beans feels about adults? How would you describe his attitude? Why do you think Beans feels this way?
2. What is going in in Key West (and the rest of the country for that matter) that would cause the garbage to pile up all around town?
3. How is Termite an important character in this story?
4. “Everyone was a salesman in this town,” Beans tells the reader. (p. 29) Explain why. What are the different things the kids try to sell? Do any of their ideas work out? Why, or why not?
5. Johnny Cakes proposes work to Beans on three different occasions. What does Beans decide to do, and do you agree with his decisions?
6. Why do you think Beans likes going to the movies? Why do you think the leper, Murray, is so secretive when he meets Beans at the movies?
7. Describe the ongoing conflict between Dot and Beans. How does it continue to escalate? Explain how it is resolved.
8. Describe the members of the Diaper Gang and explain what they do. Why is this business successful?
9. How do the kids help with the New Dealers’ project? What is the result of their help?
10. How does the town begin to change once the tourists arrive?
11. How does Beans' thinking change from the beginning to the end of the story?

Curriculum Connections:

• Social Studies (Great Depression, geography of Florida, the New Deal, prohibition)
• Health and Science (rheumatic fever, leprosy, stroke)
• Writing (author Jennifer L. Holm, writing multiple projects related to one topic, character development, metaphors)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 3.9 out of 5.0
• "One question I wondered was how do the marble games work?" --Addie
• "The character I liked the most was Too Bad because he messes up almost everything." --Jeb
• "I want to talk about how they changed Key West." --Hailey
• "Who was better? Baby Leroy or Shirley Temple?" --Varun
• "The character I liked the most was Pork Chop because he has a funny attitude." --Jack
• "One question I wondered was did Johnny Cakes get caught?" --Jeb
• "I want to talk about the quote 'Grown ups are lying liars.'" --Ryan
• "The character I like the most was Buddy because he screamed." --Theo
• "I wondered how many kids helped." --Hailey
• "Did Dot end up playing the Keepsies?" --Ryan
• "I want to talk about Johnny Cakes actions." --Varun
• "The character I liked the most was Beans because he was sneaky." --Addie

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