Bluffton: My Summers with Buster
by Matt Phelan
2013, Candlewick Press
2013, Candlewick Press
During the summer of 1908 a traveling vaudeville troupe travels to Bluffton, Michigan to spend the summer. In a neighboring town, Muskegon, lives a boy Henry. Henry is fascinated with the vaudeville actors, especially a boy his age Buster Keaton. Buster's act with his father is well-known, Buster himself is indestructible, his father throws Buster around while Buster never cracks a smile or even flinches. Henry yearns to learn how to throw himself like Buster, while Buster just wants to be a normal kid like Henry and enjoy his summer. Join these two on there summer together and realize what their futures may have in store for them.
Dynamic Alluring Coming-of-Age Charming
"Thrilling—a spirited, poignant coming-of-age vignette and an intriguing window
into a little-known chapter in vaudeville history."
-Kirkus Review
into a little-known chapter in vaudeville history."
-Kirkus Review
Awards & Honors:
- On the Notable Books for Children List
- 2014 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens - Nominee
Helpful Information:
Grade Level- 4 to 7
Age Range- 9 to 13
Reading Level- Fountas and Pinnell- K
Lexile- GN 370L
Suggested Delivery- Independent read or small group
Genre- Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Age Range- 9 to 13
Reading Level- Fountas and Pinnell- K
Lexile- GN 370L
Suggested Delivery- Independent read or small group
Genre- Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Key Vocabulary:
- Vaudeville- a type of entertainment that was popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and that had many different performers doing songs, dances, and comic acts.
- Vaudevillian- performer in vaudeville.
- Obliged- very grateful, thankful.
- Yokel- used as an insulting word for a person who lives in a small town or in the country far away from cities and is regarded as unintelligent.
- Veritable- true or real.
- Edify- to teach (someone) in a way that improves the mind or character.
- Catastrophe- a terrible disaster.
- Mayhem- actions that hurt people and destroy things--often used figuratively.
Comprehension Strategies:
Before Reading Activity-
Give One Get One
This is a brainstorming activity. Have students tap into any prior knowledge they have regarding the subject area of Vaudille. Students will then write down anything that come to mind about a topic, independently. After they have made their lists the students will share an idea (no repeats!). It also might be helpful to show students a vaudville clip to activate some prior knowledge they may have.
For more on Give One Get One, and to find out how to make it into a game visit The How to Reading Strategies.
This is a brainstorming activity. Have students tap into any prior knowledge they have regarding the subject area of Vaudille. Students will then write down anything that come to mind about a topic, independently. After they have made their lists the students will share an idea (no repeats!). It also might be helpful to show students a vaudville clip to activate some prior knowledge they may have.
For more on Give One Get One, and to find out how to make it into a game visit The How to Reading Strategies.
During Reading Activity-
Comic
Students now are often very interested in reading graphic novels. So for a comprehension strategy why not have them create their own comic based on the novel. Have students pick a part of the story to depict in their own comic strip. Encourage students to add dialogue to their strip, maybe that is not included in the Bluffton itself. Students will enjoy depicting a part of the novel on their own through a comic.
Students now are often very interested in reading graphic novels. So for a comprehension strategy why not have them create their own comic based on the novel. Have students pick a part of the story to depict in their own comic strip. Encourage students to add dialogue to their strip, maybe that is not included in the Bluffton itself. Students will enjoy depicting a part of the novel on their own through a comic.
After Reading Activity-
Think-Pair-Share
During the book Buster does not seem to enjoy his vaudville act, where he is thrown around the stage. He never teaches Henry the trick to doing his act, he often has a melacholy expression on his face, and he never writes to Henry during the winter. Give student the open-ended question, "Do you think Buster enjoys being part of his vaudville act?" For their think-pair-share, have students think about the question. Then pair them up and have them share their thoughts with their partner. After they have had a chance to disscuss their thoughts, ask them to create one statment together combing both thoughts to share with the class.
During the book Buster does not seem to enjoy his vaudville act, where he is thrown around the stage. He never teaches Henry the trick to doing his act, he often has a melacholy expression on his face, and he never writes to Henry during the winter. Give student the open-ended question, "Do you think Buster enjoys being part of his vaudville act?" For their think-pair-share, have students think about the question. Then pair them up and have them share their thoughts with their partner. After they have had a chance to disscuss their thoughts, ask them to create one statment together combing both thoughts to share with the class.
Writing Activity:
Have students write what they think about Phealan's use of color in this graphic novel. What kind of mood do the soft watercolors create? What was Phealan's purpose in using a black and white scheme for the vaudeville scenes? Have students write responses, also have them include what his illustrations add to the novel, what effect do they have on the reader?
Resources:
- Candlewick Press has an awesome Teacher's Guide for Bluffon. This teacher's guide includes discussion questions that are Common Core aligned, research projects, group projects, and much more!
- Teaching Books also has a great Teacher's Guide for Bluffon that includes a meet the author audio clip with Matt Phelan.