Calling My Name
on Goodreads (1,545)
What’s inside...
This unforgettable novel tells a universal coming-of-age story about Taja Brown, a young African American girl growing up in Houston, Texas, and deftly and beautifully explores the universal struggles of growing up, battling family expectations, discovering a sense of self, and finding a unique voice and purpose. Told in fifty-three short, episodic, moving, and iridescent chapters, Calling My Name follows Taja on her journey from middle school to high school.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-14
Length
384 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Taja's family and religious beliefs influence her decisions and feelings throughout the story?
What moments in the book made you feel proud of Taja or frustrated with the choices she made? Why?
How does Taja's journey to find her own identity resonate with you? Can you relate to any of her experiences or emotions?
What role do friends and mentors play in Taja's life? How important do you think they are in shaping who she becomes?
How has reading Taja's story made you reflect on your own dreams and the pressures you face?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own impressions of the book, highlighting specific parts that resonated with you. This encourages an open, honest exchange.
Ask your child to pick a favorite character and explore their traits. Discuss why these characters stood out and how their actions affected Taja’s life.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book's events, whether they agree or disagree with the outcomes. Validate their feelings to create a supportive discussion environment.
Link discussions to real-life scenarios by asking your child how they would react in similar situations faced by Taja.
Finish your conversation by asking your child about any lessons they might take away from Taja's story. This helps them apply the book's messages in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-Discovery
Explanation: The protagonist Taja navigates through life making discoveries about herself, her relationship with religion, and her own desires.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to explore and understand their own values, beliefs and goals, promoting self-awareness and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Individuality
Explanation: Throughout the book, Taja struggles but ultimately learns to embrace her unique path, which differs from societal and familial expectations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their unique qualities and resist undue peer and social pressures.
Example Lesson: Personal Growth
Explanation: The book illustrates Taja’s journey from a constrained youth under the weight of expectations to a more liberated young adult with a clearer sense of self.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of personal evolution and finding one’s own voice in the process of growing up.
Example Lesson: Family Relationships
Explanation: Taja deals with dynamic family relationships that shape her upbringing and personal views.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of family bonds and the impact of familial support and tensions on personal development.
Example Lesson: Faith and Questioning Beliefs
Explanation: Taja’s relationship with religion is portrayed as complex, involving both questioning and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to thoughtfully consider their spiritual or religious beliefs and understand that it’s acceptable to question and explore spiritually.