Skeleton Man

Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac

Booktalk:

Tschick-a-tschick-tschick-a-tschick….
that was the sound of the Skeleton Man, a cannibal who ate his own flesh,
and that of his relatives;
who was just waiting for his niece to return home… for dessert?

Sixth-grader Molly loved when her dad would spook her with the scary stories of his Mohawk ancestors, especially after learning the niece outwitted the Lazy Uncle Skeleton Man and brought her family back to life.
But now Molly’s parents have disappeared. A strange, gray, bone-thin elderly man, claiming to be her Great Uncle, takes custody of her. The new, real-life sounds are scarier than the ones in the story.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP as the uncle climbs the stairs to Molly’s room.
WHACK-WHACK! As he knocks on her door to make sure she’s still inside.
SNICK! as he locks her in each night.

Where are her parents? Who is this man? What are her vivid dreams telling her? Can she save herself?

Joseph Bruchac blends Native American legends into a contemporary story, featuring an especially clever heroine, certain to send tingles up the spines of many readers.

Discussion questions:

• What are some of the things Molly did when her parents didn’t come home? Why do you think she lied to her father’s business partner when he called? How did her understanding of the situation change as the days when by? How would you have reacted?
• What did you imagine the Uncle had in mind for Molly? Did the ending surprise you?
• What was the role of Molly’s dreams?
• Why do you think Joseph Bruchac began Molly’s story with the legend of the Skeleton Man?
• Are there lessons to be learned in the stories of our ancestors? Do you know any family stories of great significance?
• In the Acknowledgments at the beginning of the book, Joseph Bruchac pays tribute to the strong , courageous women found in Native American folklore, contrasting them to the women waiting to be rescued by a prince in European folklore. What do you think?

Projects:

• The Mohawk peoples are part of the Iroquois Nation. www.tuscaroras.com/graydeer/pages/paperdolls.htm provides lots of cultural information but also templates for creating male and female Iroquois paperdolls and clothing.
• Joseph Bruchac is a gifted and prolific author. Read some of his collections of Native American tales and discuss how one or more could be worked into a story about a contemporary child.
• Snack on blueberry pancakes with warm real maple syrup to celebrate the warmth of family love.

Submitted by: Lynn Hidek - Henry Carter Hull Library - Clinton

Last updated on: 18 September, 2008

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