Teacher's Guide for Mrs. M

for "Mrs. McGillacuddy's Garden Party" by Larry Dickens

(This page is formatted for most printers)

Mrs. McGillacuddy's Garden Party is a playful tale about a spunky, eleven year-old girl named Erika Reisling who is diagnosed with leukemia, and who shames a miserable, aristocratic neighbor into doing good deeds. Written for mature children (10+) and young adults, this inspirational and yet rambunctious, cancer awareness piece is an enjoyable read for anyone of any age. This is the first in a new series.

Two Primary Messages

- For those kids and their families who have been recently diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, be comforted in knowing that you are not alone out there. There are plenty of caring and helpful individuals and organizations out there.

- For those who are fortunate enough not to ever have to deal with such a heartbreaking event, be compassionate, understanding, and helpful towards those who are in those situations.

Educational Elements

- Written for mature children (10+; fifth grade level).

- It shows that cancer can strike anyone at any age. It is not just "an old person's disease."

- The story makes children consider the question, "What if it were me who was sick? How would I want my friends to treat me? How would I feel if they suddenly ignored me because I was sick?" This helps kids to be less awkward in the presence of a sick child and helps to eliminate ostracizing.

- It portrays two types of parents, providing examples of what they should and shouldn't do.

- It portrays children who do and who don't understand what a child with cancer is going through.

- It displays the value of a support group made up of friends and family. It helps Erika through her ordeal.

- It introduces to children the idea of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

- It introduces children to the subject of death. There are losses in the story. There is no sugarcoating of that subject; however, it is not treated in a morose way.

- It shows that siblings and family members are not always suitable donors for a bone marrow transplant.

- It makes people aware of cancer camps for kids and some of the wonderful activities that go on in them.

- It shows that people can survive and live normal lives.

- The story is presented in a light-handed way through the eyes of an eleven year-old girl and is fast-paced, entertaining, and rambunctious.

Reader Comments (for additional comments, visit author Web site at www.LarryDickens.com)

"With cancer deaths exceeding over a half-million annually, everyone at some point may
be affected either directly or indirectly. Mrs. McGillacuddy's Garden Party! Helps to put
a face on kids with cancer. My son, Tod, said he wished there had been a book like this
back when he was fifteen, when his sister Teddi was fighting her cancer. He said he would
have better understood what both his sister and his parents were going through during that
terrible time. I think the book will serve as a warm and friendly awareness piece.
Thank you for allowing us to read your story and asking for our comments, and thank you
for making Camp Good Days and Special Times an integral part of the story."

"Thank you so much for donating your book, Mrs. McGillacuddy's Garden Party,
to the Elementary School Library. There are so few books written about cancer at a
child's level of understanding. I read the story and enjoyed it."

"Wonderful values are gleaned from this book. What a wonderful story! I highly recommend it
to anyone, regardless of age. It's a good, fast-paced book about kids with cancer and is done in a

light-hearted, light-handed way. It will appeal to mature kids and teens because it's written from the point of view of an eleven year-old who has leukemia, and it will appeal to adults who are seeking an entry-level piece into the subject of childhood cancer. There's plenty of mischief and humor, as well as some somber moments. Like the quote on the back of the book says, it gave me tears and smiles."