Discussion Guide for Heart of a Shepherd – 3th to 5th grade

1. Malheur County Oregon got its name from French trappers in 1825. Malheur (Mal-yer) means misfortune in French. Do you think Brother is lucky or unlucky to live where he does? Would you want to live in his town?

2. In the first chapter, Brother plays chess with his grandpa. Do you think he won that game? What did you learn about him because of the way he played the game?

3. At the end of the first chapter, Brother makes his dad a promise. Does he keep that promise in the end? Does Dad make Brother a promise?

4. In the fourth chapter, the Alderman’s celebrate Christmas. What traditions do they keep the same from year to year? How is the holiday different with Dad in Iraq?

5. At the end of the story Brother learns about “the man he is meant to be.” How did he know that job was a good choice for him? How will you learn about the person you are meant to be?

Discussion Guide for Heart of a Shepherd – 6th to 8th grade

1. Brother is the youngest in his family. In what ways is he typical of a youngest child? He is also the only child still living at home. In what ways is he like an only child? Would Brother make different choices if he were an oldest child?

2. Brother lives many miles from his nearest neighbor. Does that make his life lonely? How is closeness expressed in a community that lives far apart? How is closeness expressed in your community?

3. In the first chapter, Brother does not play by the traditional rules of chess. Why does Grandpa accept his change in the rules? What does the way they play the game together tell you about Brother’s character? What does it tell you about his relationship with Grandpa?

4. In The Man of the House, the family celebrates Christmas. Are there examples of foreshadowing in this chapter?

5. Why do you think Brother’s dad and older brothers chose to become soldiers? What leads Brother to choose a different path? Why did your parents choose the jobs they have? How will you know what vocation to choose for yourself?

Discussion ideas for parent and child book groups

1. When Brother’s dad leaves for Iraq, he doesn’t promise to come back. Is that fair or not fair to his sons? Brother makes a promise to his dad that he can’t keep. Would it be better not to make a promise that isn’t a sure thing? Is it ever a good idea to break a promise?

2. Brother is the youngest in his family. In what ways is he typical of a youngest child? He is also the only child still living at home. In what ways is he like an only child? How does your birth order make a difference in your family?

3. When the Alderman’s celebrate Christmas, what traditions do they keep the same from year to year? How is the holiday different with the dad in Iraq? Which of your family’s holiday traditions do you want to keep forever? Which ones do you think will change over time?

4. In the first chapter, Brother does not play by the traditional rules of chess. What does the way they play the game together tell you about Brother’s character? What does it tell you about his relationship with his grandpa? Does your family have a favorite game? Do you ever change the rules?

5. Why do you think Brother’s dad and older brothers chose to become soldiers? What leads Brother to choose a different vocation? Why did your parents choose the vocations they have? How will you know what vocation to choose for yourself?