SuitabookMy homework ate my homework
Patrick Jennings
- Reading
- Read it as a conversation starter about excuses and responsibility rather than as a lesson to extract. Pause after Zaritza’s failed plans, then revisit the final performance to discuss what, if anything, has changed.
- Themes
- Responsibility and dishonesty: Zaritza avoids her maths work, blames others and makes increasingly large excuses while trying to qualify for the class production. The book takes a critical view of this.
- Envy and friendship: Zaritza wants the starring role, is upset when Eden is cast as Jane, and later begins helping Eden and rooting for her success. The movement towards support and an unlikely alliance is presented positively, while Zaritza’s initial hostility is followed by change.
- Performance and achievement: Zaritza’s acting ambition is placed alongside a school requirement to complete maths homework before she can participate. The story clearly values the dramatic opportunity as important to Zaritza, but the balance between performance, academic effort and achievement is not fully established.
- Worth knowing
- Zaritza lies, blames other people and attempts to get around her homework. She also initially reacts badly to Eden’s success. These behaviours are presented as problems she must confront, within a comic rather than grim tone.