Poppy

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Why might it be important to ask questions and challenge long-held beliefs continually? Should individuals question authority figures who abuse power?

Teaching Suggestion: Poppy and her mouse family live in Gray House, an abandoned farmhouse under the rule of a tyrannical owl named Mr. Ocax. Poppy and her family members submit to the owl’s authority under the delusion that the owl will keep them safe. Poppy begins to doubt the loyalty of the mouse clan to the owl when she meets a city mouse named Ragweed, who questions the status quo of Gray House.

• This 5-minute video explains why questions are an important part of growth for individuals and society.
• This article explores the brain’s response to authority and why it may be difficult to question authority.

Short Activity

Poppy and her mouse community struggle to survive under the watch of a tyrannical owl, Mr. Ocax. Explore the definition of tyranny and speculate how an authoritarian government might function. Record your thoughts to use in a class discussion. Use the questions below as a guide for your answer:

• How would you define tyranny in your own words?
• How might a tyrant gain and maintain control?
• What freedoms might be inhibited by a tyrant?
• How can fear be used to control individuals?
• Can false information influence the way people behave?

Teaching Suggestion: Mr. Ocax uses fear and lies to control Poppy and her mouse clan. The mice willingly follow Mr. Ocax’s instructions because they believe it will keep them safe. Students may find it beneficial to conduct this activity in small groups to generate ideas about the types of control that may exist under authoritarian leadership.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may find it beneficial to explore authoritarian governments in history and the freedoms restricted under those governments. Consider asking students to share their findings with peers to bolster discussion about tyrannical governments.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Have you ever had an opinion that opposed the views of those around you? What feelings might be associated with opposition to a group of people? Why is it challenging to have opinions that differ from others?

Teaching Suggestion: Mr. Ocax kills Poppy’s boyfriend, Ragweed, when he challenges the rules of the tyrannical owl. Still reeling from Ragweed’s death, Poppy is determined to challenge the authority of the owl so her mouse community can survive and thrive. Challenging the owl proves difficult when Poppy is confronted by her mouse clan’s submission to the owl. Consider discussing the complications that may arise when individuals attempt to confront long-held belief systems.