Here are some questions to get the discussion started on Same Kind of Different as Me.
Consider these LitLovers talking points to help get a discussion started:
1. At the beginning of the book, what kind of person is Ron Hall? How would you describe him (how does he describe himself)? Why does he agree to volunteer at the homeless shelter, and what is his initial reaction in doing so?
2. Talk about the trajectory of Denver Moore's life. What events have landed him in the homeless shelter? Discuss the differences between his life and Ron Hall's. What is Denver's world view?
3. Talk about Deborah Hall? What inspires her life? What does she think of Denver Moore?
4. Eventually, Denver and Ron, two men who have lived vastly different lives, become close friends. What do the two see in one another? What draws them together?
5. What are the symbolic implications of the conversation about how white men fish, especially their catch-and-release method? What does that conversation say about each man, and what is the underlying message that Denver is trying to pass onto Ron?
6. What is the meaning of the book's title, "Same Kind of Difference as Me"? What does it refer to?
7. How do both men change by the end of the book? What do they learn from or teach each other?
8. This is a story about how hate and prejudice can be overcome by love and grace. How difficult is that achievement in most of our lives? What can this book teach us?
9. Does this book inspire you? If so, in what ways?
(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)
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Unfortunately, I don't usually get that into non-fiction books, but I loved this one. I thought it was incredibly inspirational. It's hard to even fathom that the kind of life Denver grew up having actually occurred in modern America. I loved how Ron acknowledged that he thought himself above the homeless and that his relationship was going to be only one-way with him helping Denver.
ReplyDeleteI often see homeless people begging for money, and I wish I had cash to help them out, or that I had more money and then I would do more to help. I love that the Halls first and foremost helped by donating their time and just getting to know the people and love them for who they were, not just donate a bunch of money and move on.
I had to catch up with this book, but ending up reading it in one day. I checked it out from the library, and didn't realize it was set in Texas, so it was over in the Texas History section in our library. The librarian who checked me out, gushed and gushed over the book, so I was really excited to start it.
ReplyDeleteI usually like books that are written in this style, where we see the different sides of the story in alternating chapters. I was not disappointed, they were able to seamlessly tells this story over many years without feeling disjointed.
It was interesting to me the catch and release idea that Denver talked about near the beginning of their friendship. It seemed to allude to the convenience society we see more often of these days. It also made me grateful for the forever friends I have.
When we lived in NJ, and even now when we venture into Dallas, Jared tries to help out whoever we pass. Someday I'd like to get to the point where we can give more time to help others. This was a great reminder as to what a difference one person can make.