As Fast As Words Could Fly
What’s inside...
14-year-old Mason Steel takes pride in turning his father's excited ramblings about the latest civil rights incidents into handwritten business letters. One day Pa comes home with a gift from his civil rights group: a typewriter. Mason spends all his free time teaching himself to type. When a civil rights group wins a school desegregation case, Mason learns that now he will be attending a formerly all-white high school. Despite the injustice he faces, Mason takes a stand, enters a typing tournament and uses his skills to triumph over suspicions and racial prejudice.
Age
7-12
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mason Steele
Mr. Steele
Discussion points
How do you think Mason felt when he used his typewriter to express himself? Can you think of a time when you felt similar?
Why do you think Mason's ability to type quickly was important in the story?
How did Mason and his family work together to overcome challenges? Why is teamwork important?
What changes do you think happened after Mason's letter was read by the school board?
If you were in Mason’s shoes, how would you have handled the situation at school?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate Mason's experiences to their own by asking them about times they've faced challenges and how they dealt with them.
Discuss the historical context of the story. Explain how Mason’s achievements were significant during that specific time period and what it meant for civil rights.
Highlight Mason’s perseverance and the support from his family. Ask your child about how they use the support from their own family to achieve goals.
Take the conversation beyond the book by connecting it to present day. Discuss with your child how the themes of courage and standing up for what’s right are still relevant today.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Resilience
Explanation: The protagonist, a young African American boy named Mason, uses his typing skills to challenge racial injustices in his school. Despite facing significant obstacles and discrimination, Mason persists and uses his abilities to create change.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of persisting through challenges, whether it's mastering a new skill or standing up for what's right. Teaching perseverance helps them face difficulties with resilience.
Example Lesson: Equality and Justice
Explanation: As Mason fights for his rights and fair treatment in a segregated school, the book highlights themes of equality and the importance of fighting for justice.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to recognize inequality and the importance of advocating for fairness, teaching them to treat everyone with respect and dignity.
Example Lesson: Impact of Technology
Explanation: Mason's typewriting skills are a critical part of how he communicates and initiates change. The story illustrates the power and impact of technological skills in enabling individuals to express themselves and effect change.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of acquiring and utilizing technological skills, understanding that these abilities can be powerful tools in communication and problem-solving in modern society.
Example Lesson: Historical Awareness
Explanation: The story is set during the Civil Rights Movement, providing a historical context that helps children understand the struggles for racial equality in the past.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in developing an awareness of history and its relevance today, promoting a deeper understanding of the social issues that continue to shape their world.
Example Lesson: Family Support
Explanation: Mason's family plays a significant role in his journey, providing him with support and encouragement. This aspect of the story highlights the importance of a supportive family unit.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the value of family encouragement and unity in overcoming personal and societal challenges, promoting strong family bonds.