Fine White Dust
Bibliographic Information
Cynthia Rylant. (1987). Fine White Dust. Simon & Schuster Children's.
ISBN 0689804628
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Recommended Age
13 +
Summary
Peter Cassidy is 13 years old the summer the Preacher Man comes to town. Pete is deeply religous, despite the fact that neither his family nor his best friend Rufus share his beliefs. The charismatic Preacher Man, James W. Carson, is a saver of souls, in town to hold a tent revival. Pete feels he's been waiting for this all his life and soon is enthralled. He accepts Carson's invitation to become his apprentice and travel the country with him. He writes his farewell note and sneaks out to meet the preacher at a prearranged location. He is devastated when Carson doesn't show up and he learns that Carson has snuck off with the girl from the drug store. Rufus helps Pete get back home.
Instructional Activities
• Find examples of symbolism in the novel. How does the author use symbolism? What is symbolized by the "fine, white dust" of the broken cross? What symbolism exists in the chapter titles?
• This story is written in first person, in Peter's voice. Each student will select a page and rewrite it in third person. How is it different in third person? Why do you think the author chose to write the book from Peter's perspective.
• Pete has to deal with being different from his family and friends. Write about a time when you realized you were different from others and how it made you feel.
• Write Pete's farewell note to his parents.
• Pete finds disappointment when he chooses Carson as his hero. Write about the traits that you think are important for a hero to have. What makes someone a hero? What makes a hero disappointing?
• Visit the My Hero website (listed below). Have students read about the people nominated on that site. Have students write their own hero nominations and submit them to the site.
Web Resources
Review by Carol Hurst
My Hero
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