SuitabookFriendship according to Humphrey
Betty G. Birney
- Reading
- Read together in short sections, pausing after Humphrey’s choices to compare what he intended with how others might have understood it; return afterwards to discuss the ending’s resolution.
- Themes
- Friendship and changing attention: A new classroom pet receives attention, while Humphrey tries to befriend him and continues supporting existing friends. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Intentions and perspective: The story presents actions and intentions as capable of being interpreted differently and connects understanding with seeing another viewpoint. The stated treatment explains the value of reconsidering a situation from another person's standpoint, without establishing that every conflict is resolved this way.
- Worth knowing
- Notice how the story treats jealousy, helping, and friendship: does Humphrey simply suppress difficult feelings, or does he learn something about responding to them and understanding others?