The Kids' Table by Anita Celli | CommonLit

by Anita Celli 2010

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Drive-In Movies

Gary Soto

In Gary Soto's short story "The Drive-In Movies," Soto describes his desire to go the drive-in movies as a kid.

Pair “The Drive-In Movies” with “The Kids’ Table” and ask students to discuss how the characters of the two texts feel about growing up. What does the narrator of “The Drive-In Movies” do to show that he has grown up? How does this compare to James’ actions in “The Kids’ Table” that make him feel grown up?

6th Grade Memoir 850L

The Lights of Saint Lucia

Sara Matson

In Sara Matson's short story "The Lights of Saint Lucia," two sisters have important morning traditions for Saint Lucia Day.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “The Light of Saint Lucia” and ask students to discuss how James and Eva are treated like adults. How does James feel when he’s allowed to sit at the adults’ table? How does this compare to how Eva feels when Britta allows her to wear the crown?

3rd Grade Fiction - General 630L

Emergency on the Mountain

Kerry McGee

In Kerry McGee's short story "Emergency on the Mountain," a girl studying medicine helps a boy when there is an accident.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “Emergency on the Mountain” and ask students to discuss what it means to be grown up. Why do James and Ana feel as if they are being treated like kids in the beginning of the two stories? How do the adults eventually show James and Ana that they see them as grown-ups? Why do students think being seen as grown-ups is important to James and Ana?

4th Grade Short Story 660L

Growing Down

Shel Silverstein

In Shel Silverstein's poem "Growing Down," a speaker encourages a grown up in their town to try "growing down."

Pair “Growing Down” with “The Kids’ Table” and ask students to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of growing up. What is old Grow-Up Brown missing out on in “Growing Down” when he insists on acting like a grown up? What do students think James would say are the advantages of growing up?

5th Grade Poem

What Turkeys Eat for Thanksgiving

Leslie Dendy

In "What Turkeys Eat for Thanksgiving," Leslie Dendy explains how wild turkeys are different from the turkeys on many Thanksgiving tables.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “What Turkeys Eat for Thanksgiving” and ask students to compare the Thanksgiving texts. What Thanksgiving traditions and customs do readers learn about from "The Kids' Table" and "What Turkeys Eat for Thanksgiving"? How do these texts teach about Thanksgiving traditions in different ways?

4th Grade Informational Text 970L

No Turkey Required

Kate MacEachern

In "No Turkey Required," a snowstorm strands a girl and her mom on their way to see a friend for Thanksgiving.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “No Turkey Required” and ask students to compare these Thanksgiving stories. What is James’ problem in “The Kids’ Table”? What is Ashley’s problem in “No Turkey Required”? How do both characters find a way to enjoy their Thanksgiving meal?

3rd Grade Short Story 550L

Mary Had a Little Turkey

Greta Burroughs

In "Mary Had a Little Turkey," Greta Burroughs discusses how Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the United States and how similar holidays are celebrated around the world.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “Mary Had a Little Turkey” and have students discuss the purpose of Thanksgiving. How do James’ feelings about celebrating Thanksgiving change over time in “The Kids’ Table”? Do you think James feels that Thanksgiving “promote[s] a sense of community and shared experience” (paragraph 5) like Sarah Josepha Hale envisioned in “Mary Had a Little Turkey”? Why or why not?

5th Grade Informational Text 1060L

Paired Texts > The Kids' Table