More than One Side

One of the major themes of this novel is the difference that an individual’s point of view can make when interpreting events. Like an optical illusion, people looking at the same situation can view it differently. This issue of perspective is present throughout the...

Different Views of Desiderata

“Desiderata” is a critical element of this book. It helps illustrate Ms. Sealand’s philosophy. Come together as a class and read the poem aloud. Clare called it the punishment poem, but is it really? What role does it play in the life of Omar and his classmates? How...

A Tale of Two Bethlehems

In The Cat at the Wall, Clare lives her life in two different Bethlehems — one in Pennsylvania and one in the Middle East. Come together as a class to compare and contrast how the author presents these settings to the reader. What words, phrases and descriptions of...

Why Rules?

Discuss with students the following questions: Why does a classroom or school have rules? How are these rules enforced in your class or school? How do these rules prepare students for the world outside the classroom?

Walled Communities

As a class, locate Israel on a map. Identify the locations of Bethlehem, the West Bank and where the wall of the book’s title is located. How would students feel if they lived in a community surrounded by a wall?