The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg 

• Genre: Fiction; historical fiction; middle grade 
• Originally Published: 2009 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 950L; grades 4-7 
• Structure/Length: Approximately 240 pages; audiobook length around 4 hours, 59 minutes
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist is Homer P. Figg, a young and adventurous boy. The central conflict revolves around Homer’s quest to rescue his brother, who has been illegally sold into the Union Army during the American Civil War. His journey is filled with humorous and dangerous adventures, meeting fascinating characters along the way. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: War; slavery; child abuse; family separation; mild violence and peril; depictions of historical hardships

Rodman Philbrick, Author 

• Bio: Born 1951; American novelist and screenwriter; known for his engaging and accessible writing style; often writes about young protagonists facing significant challenges; his works frequently explore themes of adventure, resilience, and the human spirit.
• Other Works: Freak the Mighty (1993); The Last Book in the Universe (2000); The Young Man and the Sea (2004); Zane and the Hurricane (2014) 
• Awards: Michigan Library Association’s Mitten Award (2009); Newbery Honor (2010); Bank Street CBC Best Children’s Book of the Year (2010);

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Search for Safety and Freedom
• Truth and Lies
• Purpose and Duty

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore background information on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, rogue heroes, and the Civil War era to increase their engagement with and understanding of The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg.
• Read/study short paired texts and other resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to The Search for Safety and Freedom, Truth and Lies, and Purpose and Duty.
• Demonstrate their understanding of how the novel’s picaresque structure relates to Homer’s development by creating an illustrated map tracking what Homer learns in various locations.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the text, such as imagery, characterization, plot detail, diction, figurative language, juxtaposition, irony, and allusion, and construct essay responses tying these to the text’s meaning.