2. The Color of Water By. James McBride

3. James McBride Writer, Composer, and Saxophonist Writer, Composer, and Saxophonist Wrote for The Boston Globe, People, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, US, and Essence Wrote for The Boston Globe, People, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, US, and Essence

4. Plot James writes about his life growing up with his white mother, Ruth. Ruth McBride is a Polish Jewish immigrant who has twelve children, and raises them in New York

5. Plot continued The story switches off from James telling the story to Ruth telling her story. James describes how he felt during school having a white mother. He writes about his rebellious years and his relationships with his siblings. Ruth’s story consists of how she got to America, her abusive father, and her two husbands. The story switches off from James telling the story to Ruth telling her story. James describes how he felt during school having a white mother. He writes about his rebellious years and his relationships with his siblings. Ruth’s story consists of how she got to America, her abusive father, and her two husbands.

6. Where does all this take place? Suffolk, Virginia; New York City; Louisville, Kentucky; Oberlin, Ohio; Wilmington, Delaware Suffolk, Virginia; New York City; Louisville, Kentucky; Oberlin, Ohio; Wilmington, Delaware

7. Who are the some of the characters? James McBride, the author and narrator James McBride, the author and narrator Ruth McBride Jordan, James’s white mother Ruth McBride Jordan, James’s white mother Andrew Dennis McBride, Ruth’s first husband James biological father Andrew Dennis McBride, Ruth’s first husband James biological father Hunter Jordan, Ruth’s second husband Hunter Jordan, Ruth’s second husband Hudis Shilsky A.K.A. Mameh, Ruth’s mother Hudis Shilsky A.K.A. Mameh, Ruth’s mother Fishel Shilsky A.K.A. Tateh, Ruth’s father Fishel Shilsky A.K.A. Tateh, Ruth’s father

8. Keeping the Family Unit Fighting the elements of Racism Hanging out With the Wrong crowd Where should We Live Finding the Money to Survive Overcoming Death in The family

9. How would your family react to these situations? How would you help your family if you couldn’t eat on certain days? How would you help your family if you couldn’t eat on certain days? Do you have a voice in where you live? Do you have a voice in where you live? Does your family know who your friends are? Does your family know who your friends are? Do you have to deal with elements of racism? Do you have to deal with elements of racism? How do you pull together as a family to overcome a death of a loved one? How do you pull together as a family to overcome a death of a loved one?

10. Issues the Book Brings up The Color of Water RaceIdentityReligion

11. The Issue of Race

12. The Issue of Black and White Vs. African American Heritage White & Jewish Heritage

13. Ruth’s past was a secret to her children When James discovers the truth about his mother’s past it helps him create a new identity for himself. When James discovers the truth about his mother’s past it helps him create a new identity for himself. James is someone who cannot be defined by race, class, or religion James is someone who cannot be defined by race, class, or religion He is unique because of how he was raised He is unique because of how he was raised How do you relate to James? How do you relate to James?

14. Key Terms Memoir: a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. Memoir: a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. Foreword: a short introductory statement in a published work, often written by someone other than the author Foreword: a short introductory statement in a published work, often written by someone other than the author Epilogue : a continuation of the story, sometimes far into the future from the main part of story. Epilogue : a continuation of the story, sometimes far into the future from the main part of story. Afterword : the author speaking directly to the readers, perhaps giving a reason for why the book was written or telling about the research for the book. Afterword : the author speaking directly to the readers, perhaps giving a reason for why the book was written or telling about the research for the book.

15. More Key Terms Motif: a recurring image, theme, or idea in a text Motif: a recurring image, theme, or idea in a text Motifs found in novel: Motifs found in novel: Immigration Immigration American Dream American Dream 1960s and 1970s 1960s and 1970s Racism Racism Death Death