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The Biggest Poutine Project

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32 views4 pages

The Biggest Poutine Project

Uploaded by

joerog265
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

THE BIGGEST POUTINE IN THE WORLD

by Andrée Poulin

Genre: Fiction

Themes: Family, friendship, community, feelings, acceptance, persistence, courage, alcoholism,


disabilities

Suitable for: Grades 4 – 8

Summary
On his fifth birthday, Thomas’s mother left, and he hasn’t seen her since. The last thing he remembers
is her making a delicious dish of poutine for his birthday. Into the concoction of French fries, gravy,
and melted cheese curds, she stuck five green candles for him to blow out.

On the day of this twelfth birthday, Thomas comes up with the idea of setting a Guinness world record
for the biggest poutine in the world. Maybe then, his mother will take notice of his achievement and
come back, and his emotionally distant father will pay attention to him.

As he puts together all the pieces of his “Phenomenal Poutine Project,” or “PPP” for short, Thomas
not only learns why his mother disappeared, but he also comes to realize that Elie, the one person
whose help he rejected, turns out to be his most devoted and supportive friend.

Funny and heartbreaking at the same time, The Biggest Poutine in the World, was the winner of the
French language 2014 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award.

ACTIVITY IDEAS
The following activity ideas are only a start. There are many possibilities for helping students construct
meaning from text.
Comprehension activities:

• help readers to extend their general knowledge from prior experience


• develop reading strategies for comprehension
• bring relevance to the act of reading
• foster discussion and reflection through response to the text
BEFORE STARTING THE BOOK
Activities to build the context and introduce the topic of the book, and to establish prior knowledge
and interest and develop predictions of what the text will be about.

1. What is poutine? Research to find out where poutine originated. Have you ever eaten poutine?
What did it taste like?

2. If you were going to set a new world record, what would it be?

3. Do you live in a small town or a big city? How would life be different in either place ?

4. Have you ever taken on a project that you felt was too big for you to handle? How did that feel?
Were you able to accomplish the goal you set for yourself?

5. How do you communicate with your friends? Do you talk mostly in person, text, email, or over the
phone? Do you prefer to communicate one way more than the others? Why?

WHILE READING THE BOOK


Activities to check on comprehension, stimulate interest, involve readers in reflection as they read,
and encourage consideration of other readers’ reactions.

1. How do the chapter titles help or distract your understanding of what will happen in each chapter?

2. On page 19, Thomas describes his father as follows: “Nobody wants a father who’s as present as
a gust of wind.” Why does the author compare Thomas’s father to a gust of wind? How does this
description add to your understanding of Thomas’s feelings about his father?

3. Thomas says that in order to “lecture somebody, you have to at least be interested in him” (page 19).
Have you ever felt that your parents weren’t interested in what you were doing, or do you feel that
they care too much about your life and choices?

4. Thomas feels a “burning emptiness” (page 20) and tries to get rid of that feeling by throwing his
birthday cake against a tree. How do you deal with feelings of anger? Do you prefer to talk about
it or do you take your feelings out in other ways?

5. Do you think Thomas is being realistic about creating the biggest poutine in the world? Why do
you think so? Is trying to break a world record too big a dream for a 12-year-old boy in a small town?

6. Do you think Thomas is right in thinking that his father and mother will become more interested in
his life if he can set this world record? Give reasons to support your answer.
7. Thomas feels neglected or alone throughout many parts in the story. On page 38, he describes
this feeling as, “the emptiness that makes my insides twist.” How effective are the author’s words
in describing this kind of feeling? Have you ever had a similar feeling?

8. When the new cheese shop owner, Irene Ladouceur, arrives in town, the book describes that this
event “set the tongues of all Sainte-Alphonsine’s gossips wagging” (page 40). What do you think
this expression means?

9. Both Sam and Thomas talk about how uncomfortable they feel around Elie because she has a
prosthetic hand. Have you ever met someone with a physical disability? How did you feel around
that person?

10. The author includes many different poutine recipes with Thomas’s notes beside some of them
(page 72). What does this information add to the story? Can you think of other variations for poutine?

11. Elie sees Thomas’s attempt to break the world record as his way of “throwing a bottle into the
sea with a message for your mother” (page 102). Write the message that Thomas could put in
the bottle.

12. On page 113, the author writes “phew” four times, and each time the word gets bigger. How
does this text feature make you read the words differently?

13. There are many different types of communication in the book. Look at examples of speech
bubbles (page 32), text messages (page 74), emails (pg. 85), and real time conversations
(page 142). Do you think some work better than others? Why?

14. Thomas describes himself as a zombie because he doesn’t feel anything – no rage or sadness
(page 123). Why do you think he’d rather feel angry or sad?

15. Read the email Elie writes Thomas on page 133. What can you say about her character after
reading this email? Recall an incident when you tried to comfort a friend during a difficult time,
but didn’t know what to say.

16. Why do you think Thomas’s father changes his behavior later in the story? What do you think
their relationship will be like in the future?
AFTER READING THE BOOK
Activities to inspire continued reflection and response to the text, bring conclusion to the experience
of reading this particular text, and stimulate further extensions.

1. How does the relationship between Thomas and Elie change throughout the story? What are the
events that contribute to their relationship changing?

2. How do you think the first meeting went between Thomas and his mother? Write a short script
exploring their first encounter together after so many years apart, and perform it for a small group.

3. How important was the setting of Sainte-Alphonsine, Quebec to the story? Think about all the
people and places in the community that influenced Thomas in his mission to set the record for
the biggest poutine in the world.

4. How did his mother’s alcoholism impact the lives of Thomas and his father? Why is Thomas’s
father unable to forgive her?

5. Did you find any parts of this story funny? How does humor affect the story?

6. Write a diary entry from Thomas’s mother’s point of view from the day she was arrested.

7. Discuss some of the story’s themes. What is the most important message you take away after
reading this book?

8. Form two teams to debate the following proposition: Junk food should be banned from all
sporting events.

9. Write a letter to Mayor Tartatcheff to try and convince her to let Thomas use the arena for his
“Phenomenal Poutine Project.”

10. Post a tweet under the hashtag #thebiggestpoutineintheworld in which you use 140 characters
to recommend the book to your friends.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The small town setting of Sainte-Alphonsine plays a critical role in developing the story's themes of community and belonging. The intimate community dynamics provide a backdrop for Thomas's personal challenges and triumphs. The arrival of new residents, like Irene Ladouceur, causes ripples through the gossiping town, accentuating the close-knit yet scrutinizing nature of the town. This setting amplifies Thomas's actions, as his record-breaking attempt becomes a town spectacle, symbolizing his need for communal as well as familial acceptance . The setting not only influences the narrative's events but also reflects the insular environment that both suffocates and supports Thomas's dreams .

The author employs vivid and metaphorical language to effectively convey Thomas's complex emotions and internal conflicts, such as comparing his father's presence to "a gust of wind," which poignantly captures Thomas's feelings of abandonment and longing for paternal connection . Phrases like "the emptiness that makes my insides twist" offer a visceral depiction of his loneliness, making the emotional stakes palpable to the reader. Such language choices not only enhance the emotional depth of the narrative but also facilitate a comprehensive understanding of Thomas's motivations and development throughout the story .

Thomas's project symbolizes his deep emotional longing for attention and validation from his parents, particularly after the abandonment by his mother and the emotional distance from his father. By setting a world record with the biggest poutine, he hopes to gain his mother's notice and make his father proud, seeking to fill the "emptiness that makes my insides twist" as described in the story . This project becomes a metaphorical way to address and compensate for his feelings of neglect and loneliness, showcasing his persistence and courage while reflecting underlying themes of family and community .

The book encourages readers to reflect on feelings of neglect or loneliness through Thomas's relatable experiences and emotional struggles. His quest to create the largest poutine is a metaphor for the lengths people might go to in order to feel seen and appreciated. The vivid descriptions of his emotional state, such as the "burning emptiness," resonate with readers who may have felt similarly invisible or unsupported, prompting them to consider their ways of coping with such emotions . By following Thomas's journey, readers are invited to contemplate their relationships and the impact of both familial dynamics and community support in addressing feelings of isolation .

Thomas’s mother's alcoholism deeply impacts the family dynamic, creating emotional distance and abandonment issues for both Thomas and his father. Her departure leaves Thomas longing for maternal love and burdened with feelings of inadequacy, driving him to seek validation through extraordinary means like the poutine project . Her absence also causes Thomas’s father to become emotionally withdrawn, unable to forgive her past actions, which adds to the strain in their relationship. The alcoholism thus serves as a catalyst for the emotional undercurrents that define the characters' interactions and personal challenges throughout the story .

The author portrays courage through Thomas's ambitious attempt to break a world record and his eventual willingness to embrace support from others, especially Elie. Undertaking the "Phenomenal Poutine Project" demonstrates Thomas's courage to pursue a seemingly impossible dream despite his personal insecurities and the judgment from others . His decision to accept Elie's help marks another form of courage, as it involves confronting his biases and opening himself to vulnerability and rejection. Throughout the narrative, Thomas's courage is depicted as a positive force driving his growth and leading to revelations about himself and those around him .

Secondary characters like Elie and Irene Ladouceur play crucial roles in advancing both the plot and the thematic elements of the book. Elie, with her own challenges, represents themes of resilience and acceptance, providing support and understanding to Thomas when he most needs it. Her presence helps Thomas overcome his prejudices and embrace friendship, integral to his personal journey . Irene, as a new and intriguing character, both stirs and integrates into the town's social fabric, reflecting the community's dynamics and contributing to the overarching theme of change and adaptability. Both characters are pivotal in propelling Thomas's story forward and weaving the narrative's exploration of friendship and community .

Thomas perceives his mother as the missing piece in his life and views her abandonment as a significant source of his emotional turmoil. This perception fuels his drive to set a world record, hoping it will bring her back . His father, described as emotionally distant, further compounds Thomas's feelings of neglect, making him yearn for validation and attention. These perceptions influence Thomas to undertake grand gestures, like the poutine project, in an attempt to reconnect with his parents, showcasing a desire to rectify past abandonment and to build stronger familial ties .

Thomas's relationship with Elie evolves from initial rejection to deep friendship. Initially, Thomas is hesitant to accept Elie's help because of his preconceived notions and personal struggles. However, as Elie proves her dedication and support, especially in helping with the "Phenomenal Poutine Project," Thomas starts valuing her presence in his life. The turning point in their relationship is Elie's unwavering belief in Thomas's ambitions and her empathetic understanding of his situation, which eventually leads Thomas to recognize her as his most devoted friend . Their evolving bond highlights themes of acceptance and the impact of steadfast friendship .

The author uses humor to juxtapose the more serious elements of Thomas's life, like loneliness and familial dysfunction. This humor is evident in the absurdity of attempting to break a Guinness world record for the biggest poutine, which brings light-heartedness to the narrative and reflects Thomas's unique approach to processing his feelings. The humor helps balance the emotional weight of topics like alcoholism and disability, making these themes more accessible and engaging for young readers .

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