Here is the PDF copy of the Discussion Guide and Letter from the Author
Over the next few tabs, you will find all of the Discussion Questions provided by Big Library Read that go with the title Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key by Tracy Occomy Crowder.
You can join the discussion on https://biglibraryread.com/join-the-discussion between November 7th and November 21st, 2024.
1. Describe Monty’s relationship to his apartment building’s yard. What is your favorite part of where you live and why?
2. How does Monty’s perception of Ms. Jenkins change over the course of the story?
3. Throughout the story, Monty learns a lot from the elders in his community. Why are elders so important?
4. What is the main problem in the story? Is there more than one? Does the problem get resolved by the end of the story? How do you feel about the way the story ends? Why?
5. Describe how Monty’s relationship with Jaron changes during the book. How is their relationship at the end of the story?
6. The scientific method is the process of observing, asking questions, and seeking answers through tests and experiments. How does Monty use the scientific method throughout the story? What does the scientific method teach Monty? What does the scientific method teach about research and asking questions?
7. Why do you think the author Tracy Occomy Crowder chose to use the scientific method in the story? How does the skills used in the scientific method apply to the obstacles in Monty’s life?
8. What character traits would you use to describe Monty? Why?
9. What role does history play in the story? How does the history that Monty learns about throughout the summer shape how Monty feels about his community?
10. Why is it significant that Ms. Jenkins is an activist? Why is activism important? What other Black activists do you know?
11. Why is Barack Obama important to the story? What does he represent for Monty?
12. Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key emphasizes Chicago’s rich history. What did you learn about Chicago from reading?
13. What evidence in the book demonstrates Monty’s persistence and passion?
14. What is the role of community, family, and friendship in helping Monty become who he is?
15. Would you describe Monty as an activist by the end of the book? How do you define activism? Why is Monty an activist, or why is he not an activist? Support your reasons in a persuasive essay.
16. Assign students different characters from Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key and have them brainstorm about a guiding question: what and how can this character teach us? Students can think about different characters to examine as a whole class and then break into smaller, specific character groups. Encourage students to think about how characters have made mistakes and have done good things in the book, and ultimately what they learned from that character. Have students share out their findings: How is this character important to the book, and what lessons did they teach us over the course of the story? How are their actions crucial to understanding the meaning of the book?
Dear Readers
By the time the first day of summer in 2008 arrives, Washington Park on the Southside of Chicago has become the center of the universe. Barack Obama (who lives three blocks away) is running for President for the first time and the World Olympic Committee is still making up its mind about whether the 2016 Olympics will take place in Chicago, with a main stadium in Washington Park. On this fateful day, Montgomery “Monty” Carver, a Washington Park resident with a perfectly round ‘fro, sneaks his birthday gift – a metal detector – out of its hiding place in the closet before his parents actually give it to him (uhoh!). He and his friends use it to find a golden key in his landlord’s sunflower garden.
What starts out as a simple but exciting find turns out to be a summer-long adventure as Monty seeks to uncover the history and mystery behind the key – who does it belong to and what does it unlock? He discovers that the key is linked to a little known piece of 19th century Black history in Washington Park and, the more he gets to know his neighbors, the more he begins to figure out what’s really important to him as they discuss how the Olympics could impact his neighborhood and he hears the news that his school might close.
I invite you to read the book and travel on a fun quest alongside Monty with all of his curiosity and his mischievous nature – yes, he gets caught with the metal detector. I also invite you to follow Monty’s lead. Discover history as you read more books and take advantage of all that the library has to offer. Reclaim and make history as you learn more about your neighborhood and do whatever you can, big or small, to address what’s important to you in your community.
I have spent so many hours in the library gathering piles of books to get lost in stories, discover new worlds and learn about life. Reading has always been an adventure for me so I’m thrilled that Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key has been selected for Big Library Read!
Happy Reading,
Tracy Occomy Crowder