INSTRUCTIONS - PLEASE FOLLOW EXACTLY AS INSTRUCTED
Part 1. Please write 2-3 paragraphs with the book's title, author, and a basic overview/synopsis of what
types of creative writing are included in this book, and what subjects/topics/cultures this book is about.
Using google search, find more information on the author and provide a bit about his cultural background
and relationship to inland So Cal/the Palm Springs area.
Part 2. Write 2-3 paragraphs for this section. Pick ONE of the memoir/essay pieces from the first half of the
book and provide a synopsis of the characters, setting, time frame, and overall thematic ideas that emerge
about family, home, the land, culture, etc, in this piece, with a Native American perspective in mind (as
evoked by the author.) What are the final takeaways about all/any of the above items that you feel the
author might want you to have as a result of reading this?
Part 3. Write 2-3 paragraphs for this section. Pick ONE of the short stories from the second half of the book
and provide a synopsis of the characters, setting, time frame, and overall thematic ideas that emerge about
family, home, the land, culture, etc, in this piece, with a Native American perspective in mind (as evoked by
the author.) What are the final takeaways about all/any of the above items that you feel the author might
want you to have as a result of reading this? Also, for this part, please discuss why you feel the author may
have written this as a short story instead of a memoir piece, and if there is any particular value in that
choice.
Part 4. Write 1-2 paragraphs discussing your own thoughts, feelings, ideas, lessons learned & things to
thing about that you can relate to based on reading Johnson’s work. What do you find recognizable - if
anything - in his writing? What stirred you? What stood out?
Sample Solution